Over this school year, students from CRCSD’s new City View Community High School have been traveling to the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa to share their personal educational stories with future educators.
These City View students have Individual Education Plans, or IEPs. These plans are developed to ensure that a child with an identified disability attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives specialized instruction and related services. By sharing their personal journeys through the public education system, they offered valuable insights into the importance of improving instructional practices, accommodations, services, and overall support for IEP students. That way, students receive the support and opportunities they need to succeed.
“I hope the students recognize the significant influence they are having on shaping future educators and society,” stated Jessica Carter, City View teacher. “Understanding and advocating for their own educational needs will help future educators gain a better understanding of how to best support all students with unique learning needs.”
Listening and speaking to the City View students gave the college students a new perspective on IEPs and how to better serve students with an IEP once they start their teaching careers. One University of Iowa student expressed that the City View students helped humanize the IEP process, allowing them to see the student’s point of view and the true impact IEPs can have.
A University of Northern Iowa professor expressed, “We emphasize the importance of developing transition IEPs that promote student choice and voice. The opportunity for UNI students to hear directly from City View students about their experiences was invaluable.”
City View hopes to continue these visits with future educators next year.
