Layered EducationWhat it looks like
- Attends the meeting but says little
- Cannot explain what their IEP is for
- Hears adults talk about them, not with them
Student Voice and Advocacy
Student-Led IEPs
Prepare a student to take part in, or lead, their own IEP meeting.
Why it happens
Students are members of their IEP team, but many are never shown how to take part. With preparation and practice, students can share, present, and in time lead parts of the meeting.
Try this tomorrow
- Use a rubric to find the student's current level of participation.
- Pick one next step, such as introducing the team or sharing strengths.
- Help the student build a few slides or a one-page script.
- Rehearse twice before the meeting.
- Debrief after: what went well, what to add next time?
If two of you are in the room
Co-teaching pairs can split this between them, and swap who takes which part so both teachers work with every student.
One teacher
Meets with the student to prepare and rehearse their part.
The other teacher
Gathers class data and work samples the student can share, and covers the room.
What the research can and cannot tell us
NTACT:C rates the Self-Directed IEP and the Self-Advocacy Strategy as evidence-based practices for student involvement in the IEP.
Keep in mind
The IEP team process is governed by law and local procedure. Check your school's and SELPA's procedures before changing how a meeting runs. This is educational information only, not legal advice.
Resources
10 resources for this topic, drawn from 5 organizations. Everything opens free, and the ones from other organizations open on their own sites.
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Student Rubric for IEP Participation
Have the student rate six areas of IEP involvement, then use the prompts to choose a next step.
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Preparing for My IEP
Give students this workbook to learn what an IEP is, its sections, and key terms.
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It's All About Me! Understanding My IEP
Walk a student through worksheets on their present levels, accommodations, goals, and questions for the meeting.
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Secondary IEP Template
Download a slide template middle and high school students fill in to present at their own meeting.
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Self-Directed IEP: Practice Description
Read the 11 steps students learn for leading their meeting, with the research behind them.
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Self-Directed IEP Teacher's Manual
Teach 11 free lessons that prepare students to run their own IEP meeting, with an answer key.
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Self-Advocacy Strategy (I PLAN): Practice Description
Teach the five I PLAN steps students use to share strengths, needs, and goals at a meeting.
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Student Form: Preparing for the IEP Team Meeting
Collect the student's goals, strengths, needs, and what works before the meeting with an editable form.
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How Student-Led IEP Meetings Promote Self-Advocacy
A high school transition coordinator prepares an 11th grader with talking points, then he leads his meeting. Transcript included.
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Video Series: Student Involvement in the IEP Process
Four sessions with youth leaders who used the One-Pager, Good Day Plan, and Goal Plan to take part in their own IEPs.
These resources are shared for professional learning and planning. They are meant to inform your professional judgment, not replace it. Each student's IEP and your district, state and federal requirements always come first. Listing a resource here is not an endorsement by Layered Education. This is educational information only, not legal advice.
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Want help putting this to work?
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