The school year is winding down, which is exactly the right time to finish strong with an IEP! We’re breaking down easy ways to strengthen your IEP before June.
Just a reminder: nothing on this website or in this article is considered to be or should be construed as legal advice. I am not a lawyer and am not qualified to provide legal advice. Any action you do or do not take when advocating on behalf of your child’s education is, as always, your own.
18 Easy Ways to Strengthen Your IEP ASAP
Making your child’s IEP as robust and detailed as possible is an ongoing process. Just when you think you’ve gotten it just right, something changes and you’re all right back in the conference room.
But even when things are going relatively well, all IEPs could use a tune-up before the end of the school year.
Look Back at the Progress Reports
You have so much data right at your fingertips! Yes, all those IEP progress reports can paint you a picture of how your child’s year has gone so far. To strengthen your IEP, look back before you look ahead.
So, pull them out and dig in. Ask yourself:
- How long has this goal been on their IEP?
- Goals should be designed to be reasonably accomplished or mastered in one calendar year – by the IEP renewal date. If a goal has stuck around for longer than a year and a half it’s time to rethink it.
- In the time the goal has been in play, how much progress has been made?
- Since goals should be mastered in about one year, you should be seeing a strong progression toward that end in the progress reports. For goals that have lingered without much progress for longer than a year, it’s time to review and adjust.
- If goals aren’t being mastered within 1-2 years, it’s important to ask why. Was the goal too hard? No specific enough? Were services and supports not strong enough?
- Do these goals still align with my child’s present levels?
- If the goals no longer match where your child is at, it’s time for a rewrite.
Take notes, mark up the progress reports, use sticky notes – whatever your process is, use it. Compile everything into a talking points page and use this at the meeting.
Look Ahead to Where You Envision Your Child
IEPs might end with either high school graduation or when a child turns 21, but they are supposed to be designed to launch them into their future. Build a stronger IEP with this in mind.
So, where do you realistically see your child:
- In the next academic year, what do you want them to accomplish personally, academically, and socially?
- Before the next school level transition (elementary to middle, middle to high, high to adulthood), consider a logical progression of skills and knowledge.
- Based on what you know about your child today, what do you picture for them as an adult?
It’s a great idea to create a new document in your favorite notes app or writing program. Revisit it a few times a year and add new information. This is meant to be a living record of how your child is evolving and growing over time.
Get Input from Your Child About What Works
Ultimately, the IEP is about and for your child. It only makes sense to have your child involved in the process as much as is reasonable.
Of course, it’s not appropriate for all children to be highly involved. You know your child best and can judge what level works for them.
You might consider asking your child:
- What is your favorite part about school?
- What is the hardest thing?
- What makes school easier or more fun?
- If you could design your own school day, what would the look like?
- What do you see yourself doing as an adult?
- What makes you happy?
- What do you like to do best in the whole world?
- Are you still using (accommodation)?
- Does having (modification) help?
As you’re talking about their school experiences, you might also want to use some “I notice” statements. Like:
- I notice that you’ve gotten better at ________. What do you notice?
- I notice you seem to really like ____________. Is that what you feel, too?
- I notice that you seem to struggle with ________. What do you think?
Using I notice statements can help to start a conversation. You might consider recording the conversation or writing notes. Use these to help shape your next steps.
Consider What Could Work Better
Based on your review, your goals for your child as a parent, and your conversation with them, start jotting down some thoughts.
Consider what accommodations and modifications are in place currently. Then, brainstorm some possibilities that could work better. It’s really important to think creatively and broadly. Nothing is truly off the table or too out there.
At the end of the day, you’re developing a list of suggestions to bring to the whole IEP team. You’ll consider all options and reach a decision together based on all the available information. There is no harm in suggesting something totally different or new.
All that’s left now is to request a meeting to strengthen that IEP!