Candidate: Nancy Ann Beukema

Degree of: Doctor of Education

Department: Educational Studies

Title: Effects of Software Use on the Preparation of Individualized Education Program (IEP's)

Committee:
Dr. Howard Poole, Chair
Dr. Sarah Summy
Dr. Robert Leneway

Date:
Tuesday, May 15, 2001, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
3504 Sangren

Abstract:
Special educators are required to process paperwork mandated by federal regulations for students with special needs.  The Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1997 (IDEA 1997) orders that the evaluation of students with special needs occur as frequently as their non-disabled peers.  An annual review is also required of each student's individualized educational program (IEP), in order to reevaluate the future goals and objectives of the IEPs.  A student identified as requiring "special education services" is one who needs specially designed instruction and this instruction must meet the unusual needs of that student.  IDEA 1997 mandates the need for an individualized educational program (IEP) for all eligible students and requires special educators to develop the IEP.  Other responsibilities for the special educators include developing the triennial IEP, annual IEP, progress reports, parent letters of notification, transition plans, and more.

In conjunction with federal regulations, this study asks whether the use of technology can ease the process of developing the IEP.  Can the IEP, using the computer software package, issue a more federally compliant document or IEP?  Further, special educators were evaluated over their use of the computer-generated document versus the traditional paper and pencil method.  Is time beneficial in using the electronic IEP as opposed to the traditional method?  Also, are attitudes different among special educators, in regards to writing IEPs, according to the methodology used?

The three methods studied include the traditional paper forms and pencil method of writing the IEP, a computer software package entitled IEP Writer and another computer software package entitled Tranquility.  The two software programs use similar methods to create the IEP.

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