Finding Time: Promoting Meaningful and Active Student
Participation in His/Her IEP. "I wish I would have been more involved."
Tiffany Heins, Resource Teacher David City Public Schools
Sam Jacobson, Student Member of the Nebraska Youth Leadership Council
Wayne State College
Questions to ask students as they are placed on your caseload
What is a disability? What is your disability? What does IEP stand for? What does an IEP do for you? What are accommodations and
modifications and how are they different? Do you know what your
accommodations/modifications are? What is a goal? What are your goals? What is a self-advocate?
www.imdetermined.org/films
Importance of student involvement in the development
of the IEP Who better to know what goes on at
his/her IEP than the student The student begins to understand why an
IEP is in place for him or her Helps the student self-reflect by assisting
in not only learning about themselves, but conveying their disability and how it affects them to others
Allows them the opportunity to share information to their teachers who they may not be able to converse with independently
Importance of student involvement in the development
of the IEP
Assists with becoming a self-advocate before he or she steps into the real world
Builds self-esteem Provides feedback from his/her
teachers Builds social/conversational skills
Where do I find time?
Discuss upcoming meetings with the student at least a month in advance even if they are not scheduled
Provide student a general template and allow him/her to work on it as he/she has down time; tell him/her to make it their own
Check in with him/her periodically to see where he/she is at, and if the meeting is getting close, set deadlines
Importance of student involvement at IEP
You must explain the importance of his/her involvement at his/her IEP as most will not understand
Hold high expectations for the student
Hold the student accountable to attend all his/her IEP meetings
Welcome to my IEP meeting
Possibilities:› Add your name, year in school, etc.› Put a picture of yourself on this slide› Make a collage of who you are
My Disability
Include your specific disability or disabilities
Explain what your disability is in your own words
Example: I have a Specific Learning Disability in the area of Oral Reading Fluency.
I struggle with reading material. I stumble over words, add in words, substitute similar words (where/were), and leave endings off words. It is hard to understand me when I read.
My Strengths
Include:› academic strengths› athletic strengths› strengths outside of school
(working on engines, leader in Boy Scouts)› extracurricular activities you are skilled at
(art, acting, public speaking, cheerleading)
My Weaknesses/Concerns/Limitations
Include current weaknesses
Include your current concerns as well as concerns for your future
Include areas you feel you are limited with your current skills
Style of Learning
List what type of learner you are› examples include: visual, verbal, kinesthetic/tactile
Explain how you learn best › examples include:
having material read aloud getting notes from the teacher using a calculator
Describe what benefits your learning› examples include: sitting next to the teacher, extra time
Strategies Which AssistMy Learning
Provide specific accommodations and modifications› Examples of accommodations:
tests read aloud alternative setting for quizzes/tests/work time extra time
› Examples of modifications: matching in no more than groups of 5 reducing the number of math problems on an
assignment utilizing a word bank for fill in the blank questions
My Educational Goals
Address specific goals based on your disability › Work with your teacher to write an attainable goal› Example:
I will read 150 words per minute with 3 errors or less.
Address other educational goals while still in high school› Examples:
Maintain a B average in all my math classes Keep all my binders organized for each class
Transition:My Future Goals
Address specific education goals› Examples:
Graduate from high school in May 2015 and enter the work force
Attend University of Nebraska-Lincoln earning a degree in Plant/Animal Science
Attend Central Community College-Platte College earning an Associate’s Degree in Business and then transfer to University of Nebraska-Kearney
Earn my Certificate of Completion and walk with my peers at my high school graduation ceremony and then continue my education into the 18-21 program where I will receive my official diploma upon meeting my IEP goals
Transition:My Future Goals
Address specific training goals› Examples:
Take part in the Behlen Manufacturing Program via Central Community College earning a welding certificate.
Fill out an application for Project Search and then upon completion of the one year program, seek out part or full-time employment.
Transition:My Future Goals
Address specific daily living skills› Examples:
My current daily living skills are age-appropriate and I do not feel I need to work on them at this time.
I need to work on my personal hygiene. I don’t care to take regular baths or use deodorant.
I do not have a driver’s license at this time, so I need to study for the exam.
Transition:Current Preparation for
Future Goals
List current activities which are assisting you in reaching your future goals› Examples:
I am currently participating in vocational training in the preschool classroom where I read to students and assist them with their centers
I am currently in the Basic/Advanced Welding class I am currently a member of the fire department I am currently working at a daycare center 4 days a week
working with 6-month to 1-year-olds I am currently meeting with Vocational Rehabilitation staff
numerous times throughout the year where I have been given opportunities to take the ASSET/COMPASS test, have been given Interest Inventories, have been given job shadowing experiences at the flower shop, and have worked with them to complete my financial aid.
Community Involvement
List any activities, groups, teams, etc. you are a part of in your community that show you are a well-rounded student› Help deliver Meals on Wheels› Assist the library in the summer during
story hour› Member of Butler Believes in Youth and
Community› Member of the local fire department
School Involvement
List any activities, groups, teams, etc. you are currently a part of in your school› One Act Team› Football Team› Cheer Squad› STAY-U› FFA
Any Questions
This page just provides others in a student’s IEP the choice to ask the student any questions for clarification
Opens up discussion between all team members, which helps the student feel comfortable with those working with him/her
Extra Information to assist with Power Point presentation
provide student with template so he/she has specific areas to focus on
allow each student to make it his/her own
encourage personalization and creativity
allow pictures, colors (those able to be read on a screen), different fonts (advise staying away from cursive)
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