3 Simple Ways to Include Students in the IEP Process

IEP...The word itself says it all....INDIVIDUALIZED Educational Plan. Getting student input for IEPS doesn't have to be hard...but it does have to be done.

Scenario: You receive an evaluation request to test a 2nd grade girl for a suspected learning disability.

1. You test the child using a formal achievement test
2. You observe the student in their normal educational setting
3. You get input from the classroom teacher(s)
4. You complete a survey level assessment to pinpoint specific skills she does and does not know
5. You write the present levels of performance and goals with input from the parents
6. You get to the meeting and as you are going over the information, it hits you...

YOU FORGOT TO PUT THE "I" IN THE IEP

In order to avoid letting this happen to you, there are 3 simple ways to include students in the IEP process and get student input for ieps.

1. Have a Conversation

Set aside a little time to get to know the student as a person and not just a name. Talk with them about their friends (and enemies). Ask them about their family and tell them about yours.  Ask their favorite things to do outside of school. Tell them about your job and how you love to help kids who are struggling with school. Let them tell you about their classroom and the things they like and dislike about their teacher. You want to give the student every opportunity to feel comfortable sharing with you 

2. Surveys, Forms &/or Questionnaires

Once you have established a relationship with the child, you can begin gathering hard data on their strengths, interests, preferences and personal accomplishments.  

Using a variety of student surveys, forms, and questionnaires allows you to collect information that can lead the students to identify their needs, how to access help and their goals for the upcoming year. There are lots of different forms you can find online. These are the ones I use.

This strategy does double duty, especially for older students— IEPs will be informed by student input AND students will become increasingly more self-aware and of their disability and how it impacts their learning. 

You can find a free student input form in the Sped Prep Academy Resource Library. 

3. Help Them Be an Active Participant

The third way to include students in the IEP process is to provide students the opportunity to present their input in their own words during the meeting. This is both very powerful and empowering!

 We have all been in meetings when we have invited the student but have not always made sure they are an active participant. We probably asked them a few questions and then went back to "adult talk."

To ensure that student voices are heard and that the transition components of the IEP represent what the student envisions for their future, it is important that the IEP team take steps to actively involve students with disabilities in the planning of their own futures.

Active participation will look different for every student, depending on age, cognitive ability level and student personality. However, the overall the goal for students to take on as much ownership as possible. 

This could be as simple as the student feeling comfortable introducing herself in an IEP team meeting to more complex activities such as discussing and developing goals or presenting the IEP themselves through a powerpoint presentation. Having the forms, surveys and questionnaires prepared ahead of time allows you a chance to prepare the student about what will be discussed and the reason for the discussion. 

Research Shows

Students with disabilities who have strong self-determination skills and who understand and participate in the development of their IEP have better academic and transition outcomes. In addition, students with disabilities who have learned these skills experience better post-school employment outcomes, a higher quality of life, and greater independence.

(Konrad, Fowler, Walker, Test, & Wood, 2007; Shogren, Wehmeyer, Palmer, Rifenbark, & Little, 2015)

What Do You Think?

What ways do use to include students in the IEP process? Let me know in the comments below.

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P.S.  Need help learning how to build a relationship with your paraprofessionals? Get the free 10 Steps to Building a Cohesive Special Education Department

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