Our shared post for today is an article written by The Mighty staff editor Ellen Stumbo, and it’s definitely worth a read.

With school back in session and so many of our products doubling as educational toys and therapeutic tools, we hear a number of customers either lamenting their unrecognized individualized education plans (IEPs), or rejoicing over teachers putting forth extra effort in addressing the needs of their children. While many educators certainly do take the time required for proper implementation of IEPs, many also forget, end up slammed with other tasks, don’t receive the IEPs in a timely manner, or in some cases, fail to see any importance in following the IEP at all.

It completely depends on the teacher, the school, the child, the district – so many moving pieces can affect how an IEP is received. This doesn’t make them any less important, however. Ellen Stumbo’s piece about this very issue is a thorough, passionate discussion of how IEPs need to be taken seriously by the education system, and if you can sympathize with the matter or would like to learn more about what it’s like to struggle against academic red tape, reading her article is a great way to spend your next few minutes.