Activities 6 and 7

Self-Advocacy in the IEP Meeting

What Students Do

Students are asked to learn about the IEP process by examining their current IEP (Activity 6) and coordinating their own IEP (Activity 7). It is simply not good enough to have students just physically present at their IEP meetings. They need to be active participants. These Activities ask the students to become informed about the process so they can take an active role in planning and conducting their meeting. The intent is to extend the insights gained through Activities 1-5 into actions that affect their education.

Planning

Think about the ideal IEP meeting and the role each participant plays. Consider the age of your students and their self-advocacy skills. Alert parents and others to the role the student will play in the IEP, remind them that the first meeting may not be perfect and that is O.K. Prior to sharing, review past IEP documents to insure that they have been written in a way that a student reading it will grow rather than feel defeated. The most important outcome is that the students are engaged and increase their participation.

There are several excellent curricula that have been developed to increase student participation and benefit from IEP meetings. Consider using these curricula to supplement these Guidance Activities. Practice with the students prior to the date for the IEP meeting. Encourage role-play even if you are the only other person present with the student.

Introducing the Activity

Begin by asking students to tell you what IEP stands for and what an IEP meeting is. Ask how many have attended past IEP meetings. Emphasize the importance of IEP meetings. Ask students if they know the meeting's purpose or why it is required. Share with students the potential power of their participation and how their role changes in the meeting changes as they get older. Explain that under your guidance they will become active participants. Over the next few years they will be taking on more of the responsibility. Point out that this is a great opportunity to gain the skills they will need to advocate for themselves in college and the workplace.