For Youth

Self-Advocate For Yourself

With help from the other members of your IEP team, you can learn how to become part of your IEP process.

This is one of the best ways to self-advocate for yourself. “Self-advocate” means you are able to share about yourself, what you need, what you like or don’t like; and, you are able to work with others to get the supports you need to succeed. You can practice using your advocacy skills with people you know.. You will join the other members of your team to plan special education services to help you learn and grow .

On Your Own

With Your Family

With Your School & Teacher

The Student-Led IEP process benefits you - the student!

Look at the ways the skills, information, and practice you gain from being part of a SLIEP help you for the rest of your life.

Word Document of SLIEP Process for Students

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.

IEP Team Member Videos

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?

I’m Determined Tools

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.