What is code switching?
​Code switching is the practice of switching the languages you use or the way you express yourself in conversations depending on your environment.

This is most popularly used in bilingual communities when someone switches between two languages, for example Spanglish- the combination of using Spanish and English words in a sentence. Code switching is also utilized to switch between dialects, registers, styles, tone of voice, slang, etc. It is essentially the ability to switch between professional language and "home" language.

The second most common use of code switching is by people who speak nonstandard or a dialectal English.  For example, African American English (AAE) or Southern American English.  Both of these English dialects have their own set of consistent grammatical rules that they follow.  They have to learn to code-switch to a more standard form of English in a formal or academic setting.

WE ALL CODE SWITCH
Any time we switch the language we use to fit the audience we are talking to, we are code switching!

Smaller examples of code switching:

• The language you use to talk to your boss vs. talking to your best friend
• The language and tone of voice you use to talk on the phone to the bank vs. talking to your mom
• Even the language you use when texting is code switching from English to texting abbreviations

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
It is expected in schools and in professional settings that we already know how to use Standard American English and can code switch independently. 

BUT we are first exposed to language before we even enter school! Toddlers learn language at home.  At home we use a different, more casual language then we do at school or at work.  Therefore, many toddlers are never exposed to Standard American English until they enter school.  They have also never learned or had the need to code switch.  Over time, some kids are able to learn to code switch independently, but this isn't always an easy task.

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Academic settings often treat features of nonstandard dialects as if they are "errors". When children are using the language they learned in their homes and come to school to be told they are wrong, it makes no logical sense for them because they are correctly using the features of their home language.

When kids aren't taught early on how to code switch to Standard American English, it can cause a lot of problems in the academic setting.  They have difficulty adapting to the grammatical rules, difficulty with reading literacy, anxiety, apprehension about participating in class and social situations, and trouble with other academic standards that are set for them.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

• Code switching (CS) has been found to be a natural occurrence and approach to language use
• CS speakers have higher competencies in both languages and a healthy balanced brain
• CS maximizes learning and decreases anxiety
• CS in the classroom creates more relevance to students, it allows the classroom to become more realistic and personalized
• CS students are allowed to explore target language in regards to personal interests
• CS students are more likely to invest in their own language
• They gain confidence in speaking and understanding language

So teach your kids early on how to code switch! Explain that we use a different language at home and a different language at school.  Teach them when to use their "home" speech and when to use their "school" speech while encouraging them to explore both!  Code switching isn't a negative concept- it is a celebration of our different cultures and a natural occurrence.   It is an effective way for all individuals to communicate across a variety of audiences.

​Have fun exploring the fluidity of language!

My first year working in secondary education I assumed that by this stage in the student's life both the parents and teachers knew and understood what an IEP was. I encountered however, some teachers who didn't know what IEP stood for, and some parents who thought the IEP was just a yearly "parent-teacher conference." While the IEP meeting is an opportunity for teachers to give updates to parents, a lot more is going on.

What is an IEP?
IEP stands for Individualized Education Plan. This is a document that is developed for each public school student who is eligible for special education. The term "special education" can scare off a lot of parents. This simply means that the general education program isn't meeting the needs of the student so they require an individualized plan with accommodations to help them reach their goals. The IEP is meant to address each student's unique learning difficulties and include specific goals to target them. It is a legally binding document and the school must provide everything it promises in the IEP. 

What happens at an IEP meeting?
The law requires that once a year the IEP team reviews the IEP. The IEP team can meet more often that once a year depending on the needs of the student. The point of the meeting is to make sure the student's IEP is working for them. It gives an opportunity for parents to discuss their child's strengths and weaknesses with teachers. If the student didn't meet any or all of his goals, you can discuss new ideas to help the student. This may mean modifying the goal, adjusting expectations, or giving the student more/different kinds of services/supports.

The IEP meeting is when parents, teachers, and the school can give and get input on how the student is doing. The IEP needs to be revised as the student makes progress and faces new challenges in the academic curriculum.

Who attends the IEP meeting?
The IEP Team will attend every IEP meeting. The IEP team includes:

• Parents
• At least one of the student's general education teachers (unless the student does not work with general education teachers)
• At least one special education teacher or other special education provider
• A school district representative 
• A school psychologist or other specialist (Speech Therapist) who can interpret the student's most recent evaluation and test results
• The student (when it is felt appropriate)

A team member can be excused from the meeting if both the parent and the school agree to it. The parent can invite someone who they feel understands their child's needs to attend the IEP meeting. Anyone who can't attend in person can participate by conference call or video chat.

What is discussed at the IEP Meeting?
The IEP being discussed at the meeting is considered a draft IEP. Some schools create the IEP in advance and then share it at the IEP meeting. Other schools develop it together during the meeting. Since it is a draft, suggested changes can be made during the meeting.
Every IEP meeting will cover these things:

• Present level of performance (PLOP): The case manager (or team leader) will write a statement about the student's current level of academic and functional performance and goals. This is based on data and observations.
• Annual goals: The team reviews the progress the student has made toward meeting his annual goals then together they develop new or revised goals. The goals will be specific, measurable, and unique to the student.
• Individualized supports and services: The team will discuss how well the student's accommodations, modifications, and specialized instruction are working. Then the team updates the supports and services to match the student's PLOP and new goals.
• The results of the student's most recent evaluation, if there is one: Every student will be re-evaluated every three years. The school psychologist or other professionals (Speech Therapist) conducting the evaluation will explain the results at the IEP meeting.

What is in an IEP?
Each IEP will look different as they are made to cater to each student's unique needs. Every IEP however, will contain the following things:

• The student's present level of educational performance (PLOP)
• The results of the student's evaluations and tests
• Special education and related services to be provided (i.e. if the student is receiving Speech Therapy it will state this and the frequency that they will receive it)
• Accommodations and modifications: these help the student to be successful in the general education curriculum; Accommodations are changes in how a student learns and participates, i.e. being given extra time on tests. Modifications are changes in what is taught to or expected, this is the grade-level expectations a student must meet
• Supplementary aids and services: Supports to help a student learn in the general education classroom, i.e. a one-on-one aide, highlighted classroom notes, or assistive technology 
• Annual educational goals
• A description of how the student's progress will be measured and reported to the parent
• An explanation of how much the student will participate in general education classes and extracurricular activities
• The date the IEP will go into effect
• Depending on the student's age and situation it might also include:
  • A transition plan: services and supports to help a student graduate from high school and achieve post-high school goals
  • Extended school year services: some students may receive special education services outside of the regular school year such as during the summer

I hope this gave you good insight into what happens in an IEP meeting. Remember, the IEP is more than just a "parent-teacher meeting," it is an opportunity to make positive changes in a student's life. For more information on IEPs, click below!