Better IEPs : How to Develop Legally Correct and Educationally Useful Programs (Paperback)

by Barbara D. Bateman (Author), Mary Anne Linden (Author) "Since 1977, every child in the United States who has a disability and needs special education has been entitled to a free appropriate public education..." (more)
Key Phrases: Supreme Court, Commercial Semester, Disabilities Education Act (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A newly revised and enhanced edition of the ultimate guide to understanding IEPs from a legal standpoint, complete with IDEA 2004 updates. A classic in its field, Better IEPs presents a focused, three-step process that zooms in on the individual student and dismisses out of hand the one-size-fits-all approach that is too often mistaken for proper procedure in today's schools. Gives all educators confidence and know-how to develop competent IEPs. Written by Dr. Barbara Bateman, an attorney and professor emeritus and the number one expert on IEP law in the nation, and coauthored by Mary Anne Linden. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author
Dr. Bateman's current professional priorities include evaluating IEPs, assessing program appropriateness for individual students, presenting IDEA to parents and personnel and serving as an expert witness in special education cases. Mary Anne Linden, Ph.D., J.D., has been a special educator (teacher, administrator and teacher trainer) for 16 years. She holds degrees in law, special education, and educational policy and leadership and has been involved in teacher and administrator preparation for the past decade. She also investigates special education complaints for the Oregon Department of Education. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 242 pages
• Publisher: Sopris West; 3rd edition (July 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570351643
• ISBN-13: 979-1570351647
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #548,801 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best IEP how-to book I have read so far!, September 7, 1999

By A Customer

I just got this book and am already halfway through. It gives clear, concise IEP writing tips and lots of examples. I prefer this book over others I have previously purchased. I would say it is an essential book for parents of special education students to have, along with Wrightslaw: Special Education Law."

51 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Resource for "Getting It Right", January 4, 2000

By	C. G. Huchet (New Hope, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a book that every school's Child Study Team should read and use as an informed guide to improve the planning and writing of IEPs. Since that will not happen, parents will find this to be an excellent means of knowing what they should expect to see in an IEP, and what to reject. The writing is jargon-free and otherwise friendly to parents and professionals alike. It can lead parents to develop "suggested" goals and objectives as model examples to show the school staff. It provides an excellent foundation for the inservice training of school staff and special education parent support groups.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IEP GOALS, March 29, 2002

By	Susan Burnett (Yorba Linda, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This book should be required reading for every parent who has a child on an IEP. Assessment generates services and IEP goals, and goals inform the parent whether the services are remediating the child. Schools must follow the Law (IDEA) on how to write goals, yet, poorly written IEP goals is one of the biggest non-compliance areas. If a child's progress can not be objectively measured by correctly written goals, how are we to determine the effectiveness of the schools intervention? If you want to hold your school accountable for remediating your child, Bateman's book is a must. This book will help you be an active participant in developing your childs program for the individualized instruction they are entiltled to and help you assess if your child is recieving an appropriate education. Knowledge is power and this book will empower you!