With help from you and the school, your child can learn how to become part of their IEP process. Learning how to be part of, and eventually lead, their own IEP process is one of the best ways to help your child learn to self-advocate.
Your Part in the Process
Your child will join you, and the other members of their team, to plan special education services to help them learn and grow. Every family can be involved in helping their child be part of their IEP process. The school has the responsibility for organizing the IEP process. However, you are an invited partner and collaborator in the process. Decide what way works best for you and your family to support your child. You can change and grow your participation each year as you support yourself and the needs of your family and child.
You are an important member of the IEP team
There are many people that can be part of the IEP team. Click below to see a playlist quick, animated videos that highlight each person's role and the benefits they can bring to your child's IEP team. You can invite people to join the IEP team!
IEP Team Member Videos
Use the list below to decide where your child is now with their involvement in the IEP process.
The first step is to know what your child is 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.
I’m Determined Tools
Participation in the IEP Meeting
Student Rubric for IEP Participation from I'm Determined
| 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. |
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