Podcast Script: IEP Goals vs. Service Hours

"Hey there, and welcome back to The Special Ed Strategist! I’m your host, Wendy Taylor, and today, we’re tackling a big question that comes up all the time in IEP meetings… ‘How many service hours should my child be getting?’ You sit at that table, and the team says, ‘Your child will get 30 minutes of speech therapy a week.’ And immediately, your brain goes into overdrive: ‘Is that enough? Should I ask for more? What’s the right number?’ I get it. I’ve sat in these meetings, and I’ve worked with families who have asked these same questions. We naturally want to believe that more support = more progress. But here’s the thing: it’s not just about the hours—it’s about alignment with the goals. So today, we’re breaking it all down: ✅ What service hours really mean ✅ How they’re determined ✅ Why more hours doesn’t always equal better support ✅ And how to advocate for services that actually help your child make progress Let’s dive in!" ________________

Understanding IEP Service Hours "First, let’s talk about what service hours actually are. An IEP is designed to provide individualized support. The keyword here? Individualized. That means there’s no magic formula that says ‘every child with dyslexia needs 60 minutes of reading intervention’ or ‘every child with ADHD needs X amount of executive function coaching.’ Service hours are determined based on your child’s IEP goals—meaning the skills they’re working on, the level of support they need to meet those goals, and the best way to deliver that support. And services can look different: 🎯 Direct services → one-on-one therapy, small group instruction 🎯 Indirect services → teacher consultation, accommodations within the classroom The goal isn’t just to fill a time slot—it’s to provide what’s effective." ________________

Common Myths About IEP Service Hours "Now, let’s bust a few myths. 🚫 Myth #1: More hours = better support. I get why parents think this. More feels like… more. But research shows that quality matters more than quantity. A student getting one-on-one, targeted instruction for 30 minutes might make more progress than sitting in a generic group for an hour. 🚫 Myth #2: Every student with the same diagnosis needs the same service hours. Nope! Every child is different. What works for one might not work for another. 🚫 Myth #3: The school decides service hours, and parents can’t change them. Not true! Parents are equal members of the IEP team. You have the right to ask questions, review data, and request changes if services aren’t supporting progress." ________________

Finding the Right Balance: Quality Over Quantity "So how do we make sure service hours are effective? ✅ Look at progress data—is your child making meaningful gains? ✅ Consider the method of instruction—is pull-out support helpful, or would push-in services be more effective? ✅ Think about sustainability—sometimes, too many hours can overwhelm a student rather than support them. It’s all about striking the right balance." ________________

How to Advocate for the Right Services "Now, let’s get into the good stuff: How do you advocate for services that actually work? Here are some questions to bring to your next IEP meeting: 💡 How do these service hours align with my child’s IEP goals? 💡 What does the progress data show? 💡 Are there alternative ways to support these goals? And remember: You don’t have to go into an IEP meeting alone. If you’re unsure, bring in an advocate, an educational therapist, or even request a progress review before the next IEP." ________________

Final Thoughts & Call to Action "So, here’s what I want you to take away from today’s episode: 1️⃣ More service hours don’t always mean better support—it’s about effectiveness, not just time. 2️⃣ Parents have the right to ask questions and advocate for the best services. 3️⃣ The key to success? Aligning services with well-written IEP goals. If this episode resonated with you, share it with another parent or educator! And if you’re looking for more ways to advocate effectively, check out my course Cracking the Code to Special Education Eligibility at LearningEssentialsEDU.com. Thanks for joining me today, and until next time—keep advocating, keep strategizing, and keep believing in your child’s potential!"