IEP stands for individualized education plan (IEP). It helps students who learn differently because of a disability reach their goals. Some students need a little extra help with reading, writing, listening, or other things – and the IEP tells your teachers how to help you. Your IEP makes sure you get the help you need at school.

You may need an IEP for different reasons.

1. You have a disability that affects how you learn. Some examples of a disability that might affect your learning are ADHD, autism, learning disability, blindness, etc. Each person is unique, just like your disability so this is different for each person.
2. You need special supports to learn and to be successful in school.
3. IT’S THE LAW! The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) makes sure that students with disabilities get the special education services they need to be successful. Everybody deserves to learn.

An IEP meeting is all about you. This is when people who support you at school come together to talk about how you are doing and how to help you learn better. This meeting is not about you getting in trouble. It’s a meeting to make sure you are getting the right support so you can do your best.

Your IEP team meets at least once a year to update your IEP.

Your IEP team is made up of people that care about your success at school. Your team will include:

• YOU – Your voice is important. If you are in middle or high school, you should be invited to your IEP meeting.
• Your parents or guardians
• At least one of your General Education teachers
• At least one of your Special Education teachers
• A School Representative – This could be a principal, a case manager, or somebody from the district.
• Some other people that might be there, if they are needed:
  • School Psychologist
  • Speech Therapist – if you get help with speech or language
  • Occupational Therapist – if you get occupational therapy
  • Physical Therapist – if you get physical therapy
  • Interpreter – if your family speaks a different language
  • Anybody else your family invites

1. Present Levels of Performance – This section talks about how you are doing right now in school. It will include things you are good at and other things that may be difficult for you.
2. Accommodations and Modifications – This is where your teachers can read about things that help you learn better. This section includes how the school and teachers can adapt, adjust, or change the environment, instruction, or services for you so that your disability does not affect your learning. Some examples are using a calculator, extended time on assignments, sitting in a quiet spot, shortened assignments, etc. These are all based on your special needs and are different for each student.
3. Annual Goals – These are things that you are working on this year. Goals will be in areas where you need extra support. Teachers and other school staff members will help you reach your goals.
4. Transition Plan – If you are 16 years old or older, you and your teachers will talk about what your plans are after you finish high school. This includes college, trade school, jobs, or learning to live on your own.
5. Services – Services are the special help or teaching that you get. These services may be from a special education teacher, a general education teacher, or a teacher’s aide. It also says where and how often you will receive the extra help.
6. Related Services – This area includes special supports that you might need. Not everyone has related services. These services include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, blind/vision services, etc.

If you are not getting the help you are supposed to – it’s OKAY TO SPEAK UP. Here are some ideas of what you can do:

1. Talk to a trusted adult. This can be a teacher, a counselor, your parent or guardian, or anybody else that you trust. You can say something like:

“I’m supposed to get _______ in my IEP, but it’s not happening.”

2. Ask to talk about your IEP. This is called an IEP Meeting or Amendment. You can ask a trusted adult to help set this up for you.
3. Keep speaking up. You can respectfully remind people about what’s in your plan. Remember this is a LEGAL DOCUMENT. This means that schools must follow your IEP.

It is important that your voice is heard. The more you understand about your IEP, the more power you have over your own education. It is the school’s legal responsibility to make sure you get the support you need to be successful at school.

You can be your own self-advocate. This is a skill you will need your whole life. Being a self-advocate means speaking up for yourself and letting people know what works best for you and what doesn’t work for you.