Individualized Education Program (IEP)

All students at GSD must have an Individualized Education Program. IEPs are developed prior to initial placement and are reviewed annually. The first part of the IEP is a review of the student's present level of performance (PLOP). Present levels of performance are determined by the student's teachers, parents and support staff. Present levels of performance are formulated using the Georgia Milestones tests (End of Course Assessments in grades 9 through 12; End of Grade Assessments in grades 3 through 8), classroom observations, diagnostic testing, parent input, formative and summative classroom testing and Curriculum Based Assessments. Goals are based on the student's individualized instructional needs and relationship of the hearing loss to learning. Related services are also discussed such as speech, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.

A crucial component of the IEP is the discussion of placement options for appropriate service delivery, resulting in a recommendation for placement for the coming year. Parent input is a critical element.

Transition services are coordinated activities for a student, designed within an outcome-oriented process, which promotes movement from school to post-school activities. Transition services take inter-agency cooperation and coordination, as well as the involvement of students, parents and community leaders.