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For Youth

Student-Led IEP Process: What’s In It for Students ?

Having an active part in your IEP process helps you:

  • Be a leader
  • Be a good communicator for yourself
  • Work with a team to solve problems
  • Focus on how to reach your goals
  • Take responsibility for your learning
  • Plan your future
For Youth

Looking for Ways to Get Started On Your Own?

Below you will find ideas on how to start your student-led IEP journey. Choose which one works for you. You can pick a different one at another time! It's up to you!

Know Yourself (and who you want to be in the future)

  • How do you learn best?
  • What are you good at?
  • What do you need to work on?
  • What do you want to do in life?
  • Fgure out who you should talk to when you have questions
  • Set a time to meet with your teacher and create a plan.
  • Schedule time to work on your IEP process project.
  • Practice what you are going to do in the IEP Process and how you are sharing your information.
  • It may seem new or ‘scary’ to be involved in the IEP process. (It is fine to feel this way!)
  • Have confidence that you can do something in the IEP process and this will help you succeed in the future.

Create a goal

  • What is a goal?
  • What are the steps to reach the goal?
  • Where are you now?
  • What do you need to do next?
  • How can you know where you are during the year?

Keep track of how you are doing in reaching your IEP goals

  • Look at the information about your goals.
  • Ask for help to understand the information.
  • Make a plan to keep moving forward.
  • Ask to use the supports that are listed in your IEP when you need them.
  • Think about how your IEP connects with your future and be sure it is about what you want for your life
With Family

Need some ideas on how to work with your family on your student-led IEP?

Below you will find ideas on how to start your student-led IEP journey. Choose which one works for you. You can pick a different one at another time! It's up to you!

Discussing your IEP Journey

  • Tell your family that you are participating in the IEP process and leading part of the IEP meeting.
  • Practice what you want to do, show, or create with them.
  • Explain the IEP process and how you are being part of it.
  • Ask your family members for their ideas and opinions.
  • Invite them to come to the IEP team meeting.
  • Ask them what they think went well in the IEP meeting and what could go better.
  • Show how you are keeping track and reaching your IEP goals.
  • Talk about how you can be more involved in your IEP process next year.
With Your Teacher and School

With your teacher and school

Remember, leading your IEP (Individualized Education Program) is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey. Below you will find ideas on how to start your student-led IEP journey. Choose which one works for you. You can pick a different one at another time! It's up to you!

Talk about the IEP process.

  • Why do you have an IEP?
  • What is the purpose of an IEP?
  • What are the timelines/due dates of an IEP?
  • What should an IEP do for you?
  • What do people talk about in the IEP?
  • Practice how you would explain the IEP process to someone.
  • Look at the IEP paperwork and find out what is in each section.
  • Know the IEP Team.
  • Learn the names and faces of everyone on the IEP team.

Come up with ideas of how you would like to become involved in the IEP process

  • What parts of the IEP process do you want to learn more about?
  • Is there something you would like to try to do in your IEP process - an interview, poster, collage, video, slides, essay - and how can this fit in the process about you?
  • What can you do, show, say, or create to express your thoughts?
  • Ask for help to practice the best way to share these thoughts with the IEP team

Create a plan to get it done

  • Schedule time with a teacher to get started and practice
  • Schedule your own time to work on it and gather information
  • Talk about how to show you need a break in the IEP meeting and how long you want to stay in the meeting.
  • Ask questions if you do not understand something.
  • Let the team know if you agree or disagree with what the other team members are saying.
  • Review the supports that are listed in your IEP so you know what they are and how to use them when you need them.
  • Discuss what you want to do for next year’s IEP process and meeting .

Make a plan to keep track of your IEP goals

  • How are you getting and understanding the information about your goals?
  • What are the steps to reach the goals?
  • Where are you now and where do you want to be?
  • When will you look at this information and talk about the plan to reach your goals?
  • What do you need to do next to get closer to your goal?
 

Video for youth and family on the Team meeting

 Watch an interview of a student about the SLIEP process



You are an important member of the IEP team


You, your family, teachers, school staff, and others may be on the team.

Click below to see a playlist of animated videos of the people who could be on your IEP team.

Use the rubric below to decide where you are now with your involvement in the IEP meeting.

 

  • How would you describe your awareness of the IEP?
  • How are you participating in the IEP? What are you doing to participate?
  • What do you know about the IEP? How can you show what you know?

 

 

Participation in the IEP Meeting Rubric*

Guide for using the rubric

  • The first step is to know what you are doing at this time.
  • Then, look at the next level up to see where they should be going for a future goal.
  • Work with the IEP team to plan what steps and supports need to be put in place so that next year, your child has moved up a level in one or all of the IEP areas.
Area Level I Level II Level III Level IV
 IEP Awareness I don’t know what IEP stands for. I know what IEP stands for. I know what IEP stands for and the purpose of the IEP meeting. I know what IEP stands for, the purpose of an IEP meeting and I can tell others about these meetings.
IEP Participation I don't participate or attend my IEP meeting. I attend a pre-conference IEP meeting and/or my IEP meeting, but I don't participate in the meeting.I know what IEP stands for. I attend and contribute information about myself for my IEP in a pre- conference or at the actual meeting. I lead parts or my entire IEP meeting.
Knowledge of IEP Content I don't know what is in my IEP. I know that I have accommodations and goals but I don’t know what they are I can name the accommodations and goals in my IEP, But I have a voice in developing them. I can name the accommodations and goals in my IEP, and I have a voice in developing them.
 
* Tools archive. I’m Determined. (n.d.). https://www.imdetermined.org/all-tools/