For some special education teachers, the thought of including students in the IEP process is energizing, and for other special education teachers, this thought is incredibly overwhelming. Both sets of feelings are valid.
The vast spectrum of student needs that fall under the special education umbrella allows for a wide variety of participation possibilities within the IEP process. With careful consideration, planning, and differentiation – it can be done for all of our students.
When thinking about the IEP process, we need to think of it holistically – not just in the creation of the document. Including students will look different depending on student age and ability, but it can and should be done.
An important question to start with is this: do you students know their IEP goals? Start today and ensure that your preschooler, 4th grader, or 20 year old student knows their goals.
Use their preferred mode of communication: written, symbol-supported, or sign language – whatever it might be, meet your student where they’re at and be sure they’re aware of the goals they’re working towards.
The IEP process includes frequent progress monitoring and data collection, not just writing goals! Can students work towards understanding how they’re making progress?
Showing students graphs, having students graph their own progress, and allowing students to share their opinion on how they’re progressing through rubrics and self reflections can be really empowering.
Regardless of the age or ability level of your student, they have important and relevant interests that can be added into their IEP!
For younger students, and students with more significant disabilities, be sure to include information from preference assessments! Adding in student interests and preferences to relevant areas of the IEP can ensure that regardless of the adult working with the student, they’ll be engaged with material that interests them.
Some students will have the ability to advocate for information and skills that they want to learn. Be sure to interview students to ensure that the IEP goals include skills students also WANT to learn!
For our older students with transition plans, it’s imperative that we include their postsecondary interests, hopes, and goals into every inch of their transition plan. This is a fun, and simple, way to ensure that student voices shine through in their IEP.
For some schools, inviting students to IEP meetings is a given, and part of the school culture. For other schools, student led-ieps only happens if the student has a transition plan and an ability level that lends itself to sitting through an IEP meeting.
To ensure students have a vital voice in their IEP, we need to make a point to invite every child to every IEP meeting… and what that looks like will be heavily dependent upon the student and the IEP team. Special education teachers are wizards when it comes to accommodating, modifying, and differentiating, so why should an IEP meeting be any different?
Some students can, and may want to, attend their entire meeting from beginning to end. Some students may attend for the first 5 minutes so they can use their AAC device to introduce themselves and thank the team members for attending.
In whatever way possible, having a student attend their IEP meeting keeps them at the center of the IEP, encourages independence, and reminds everyone that they are also a member of the team.
While IEPs are about students, it’s so easy for us to forget to actually include them in the annual IEP process. Making sure that students have a role, no matter how big or small, can help set the tone and encourage the entire team to always keep the focus on what’s most important – them!
Small steps can lead to big wins in IEP writing! Inside The Intentional IEP, you’ll get access to expert-led trainings, standards-aligned IEP goal bank with IEP Screeners, and time-saving resources that make the entire IEP process easier. With the right tools and strategies, every small improvement adds up to more confident IEP writing, better data collection, and stronger outcomes for your students. Join today and start making a big impact—one small step at a time!
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