School Counselor Contributions to the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Process

Abstract

School counselors provide a variety of services to students with disabilities, and becoming involved in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process is an opportunity through which school counselors can demonstrate their unique contributions. The authors highlight specific skills (e.g., group facilitation, consultation) and developmental knowledge (e.g., career, psychosocial) of school counselors in relation to their roles in serving students with disabilities throughout the IEP process. The authors recommend ways in which educators can encourage school counselors to become involved in the provision of services to students with disabilities.

Keywords:

• collaboration
• IEP
• Individualized Education Program
• school counselor
• task group