A well-written IEP is the foundation of a student’s education! IEP planning tools can assist the team develop truly individualized IEPs that build on students’ strengths and meet their unique needs.
10 IEP Myths
Parents and educators need to debunk IEP myths and ensure all IEP team members are informed as to how IEPs are to be developed, what is included in an IEP, and the importance of implementing IEPs. Click here to read this handout.
Student Profile
This is a summary of the student’s strengths and needs. Click here to view a sample Student Profile. A blank Student Profile is available here.
Student Strengths and Strategies
It is important for educators and parents to build on a student’s strengths. However, it is not enough to merely identify a student’s abilities. There also must be thoughtful consideration of a strategy to capitalize on each of the talents of the student. Click here to view a few examples of a student’s strengths and corresponding strategy.
IEP Planner
A tool to help organize essential IEP components. Click here to view a sample IEP Planner, or click here to print a blank IEP Planner to use.
IEP Matrix
This can be used to track progress made on IEP goals and to record when accommodations have been used. Click here.
Here are additional resources for parents:
Ten Mistakes to Avoid Before The IEP Meeting, click here.
Ten Mistakes to Avoid During The IEP Meeting, click here.
Ten Mistakes to Avoid After The IEP Meeting, click here.
2010 – 2011 Law Review
Looking for an in-depth review of special education law? Click here.
Progressing Monitoring
Educators need to evaluate the results of their instructional strategies by using progress monitoring tools. The tools can also measure students’ progress in reaching academic, behavioral, and/or social goals.
10 Steps of Progress Monitoring, Questions to Ask About Progress Monitoring, and the Benefits
Parents can learn more about progress monitoring and know what questions to ask teachers about it. Click here.
Transitions
Students, families, and educators all have choices in how they view and prepare for the changes and passages of life. Feeling empowered can lead to positive outcomes! A variety of handouts below detail proactive and positive transition strategies for students of ages, families, and educators.
Preschool to Elementary
Tips for Students
Parents and educators can begin teaching self-advocacy skills at a very early age by taking advantage of real life situations and modeling good advocacy skills. Click here to read more.
Tips for Families
Preparing children for the transition to kindergarten does not mean “getting them ready” by focusing on a checklist of skills, drilling on new rules, or retaining them in preschool for another year. Children need to be honored for wherever they are and given rich opportunities for further growth and development. Click here to read more.
Tips for Educators
Preparing children for the transition to kindergarten does not mean “getting them ready” by focusing on a checklist of skills, drilling on new rules, or retaining them in preschool for another year. Children need to be honored for wherever they are and given rich opportunities for further growth and development.
Click here to read more.
Elementary to Middle School
Tips for Students
“Try to show kids their own way of learning. Like my way of learning, I have to see or touch things to learn. Some people have to hear things.” — Amanda N.
Click here to read more.
Tips for Families
“It is the kids who show us what they need and where we need to go next. Follow the child.” — Juli Kendall
Click here to read more.
Tips for Educators
“Parents and educators…need to establish a culture in which security and clarity of expectation are balanced with the encouragement of playfulness, inquisitiveness and self-reliance.” — Guy Claxton
Click here to read more.
Middle School to High School
Tips for Students
“We believe that children can and do make valuable contributions to transition programs and that listening to their views, responding to their challenges, and respecting their existing understandings can be an educational experience for all concerned.” — Sue Dockett & Bob Perry – University of Western Sydney
Click here to read more.
Tips for Families
“Regardless of our love and protection, wisdom, and effort, children will move outside of our control.” — Shari Steelsmith
Click here to read more.
Tips for Educators
“High school students with disabilities deserve complete access to general education courses, electives, tests required for a high school diploma, and all other aspects of a full high school experience, regardless of the school they attend.” — The National High School Center
Click here to read more.