MAPS is a process to plan for a student's future by asking questions. I tend to call my method "Modified MAPS" since I do not exactly follow the MAPS process. Either way, MAPS is meant to be a positive experience.
In a traditional MAPS session, there are two facilitators. One leads the discussion, asking questions and probing when given answers by individuals at the meeting. The second person records the information received during a MAPS session. Usually this information is recorded on large pieces of paper that are hung in the room so all members of the team can see the information. It can last between one and two hours, and it has an informal format. The time is spent discussing the student, rather than dealing with the formal paperwork of the IEP meeting.
During my "Modified MAPS" session, I am the only facilitator. I ask people to think about the questions prior to the meeting, so everyone comes in prepared to discuss. I record information on a paper chart that can later be copied and distributed to other team members. In the future I plan to send the chart home with the set of questions and asking people to respond by listing changes to their past views. Following the MAPS session, we go directly into formulating goals and evaluating past goals to see if they still apply. The information from the MAPS session is all transferred to the IEP in various locations. This process takes about an hour to complete, although it can go longer depending on the number of participants and the range of needs of the student.
MAPS asks a series of questions including the following: What is the students background? What is your dream for the student? What is your nightmare for the student? Who is the student? What are the student's strengths, gifts and abilities? What are the students needs? What else should we know about this student? What would your ideal day look like for the student? Is there anything else we should know about the student?
The process also asks the students, parents and others involved to look ahead to the individual at age 26. What kind of academic skills will this person have? What type of work will this person be preparing for or doing? Where will this person live? What kind of activities will this person do? What kind of relationships will this person have?
