How to Write Your Own Homeschool IEP
Writing a homeschool IEP (Individual Education Plan) doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some great resources to help you create one with confidence.
Prep Work
Before you start the process of writing your student’s IEP, read this SPED Homeschool article on “4 Things to Prepare Before Writing Your Child’s IEP.”
#1 Determine a Baseline
An IEP baseline is the starting point from where your child will be measured. Each year it is helpful to measure success from a specified starting point, which is what a baseline provides.
Below are three links that will take you to documents you can use to determine your student’s baseline status.
#2 Diagnostic Testing
General Tests
Common Educational Tests Used for Assessment for Special Education, by the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
Questions for the Diagnostician
Questions to ask a potential diagnostician when testing your student outside the public school, by Reading Rockets
College Board Guidelines for Documentation
Documented history of need increases the likelihood for receiving future accommodations from third parties.
#3 Goals
It is best to limit your IEP goals to three or fewer areas a year and make each goal measurable and specific. See below to learn how.
IEP Goal Bank
Bridges 4 Kids IEP Bank is a document filled with academic and functional IEP goals you can use to create your student’s IEP.
How to Write Goals and Objectives
Read this SPED Homeschool article on how to write IEP goals and objectives.
Making Goals Measurable
View this Wrightslaw post on how to evaluate goals using effective evaluation.
Embrace Your Student’s Goals
Before moving on, make sure to read this SPED Homeschool article on the importance of embracing your student’s new goals.
#4 Goal Tracking
Form Bank
Various Evaluation, Data Collection and Progress Monitoring forms compiled by the Circle of Inclusion.
Using Prompting
Prompting is a guided method used to gently guide children towards independence.
Read this SPED Homeschool article to learn how to incorporate prompting into your student’s IEP goals.
#5 Accommodations and Modifications
What are Accommodations and Modifications
Wondering what the difference is between accommodations and modifications? This SPED Homeschool article will help.
Writing an IEP: Accommodations and Modifications
This SPED Homeschool article will clarify how accommodations and modifications are used as tools to help children reach specific IEP goals.
Modifications – Instructing at Your Child’s Learning Level
Is it time to start removing some of your student’s accommodations or modifications? Check out this SPED Homeschool article to learn how.
Links To Accommodation and Modification Banks
Common Accommodations and modifications
A listing of the most common modifications and accommodations by Understood.
Examples of Accommodations and modifications
Examples of accommodations and modifications by Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities.
College Board Accommodation DOCUMENTATION Guidelines
Accommodations provided by the College Board for students with disabilities and links with information on how to request each for your student.
#6 Final Items
You are on the home stretch in writing your student’s IEP. Here are some final items to consider as you wrap up writing your document.
Transition Plan
A transition plan is exactly what it sounds like, a 4-year plan detailing how specific schooling activities will prepare a student for wherever they are be transitioning.
And, although most students, as well as their parents, have no idea what the future holds 4 years away, each year the plan is adjusted to meet a more accurate end goal.
Typically, transition plans are used in general public high schools since special education students’ schooling includes learning components more diverse than just curriculum and extracurricular activities. A transition plan documents how each instructional component in a student’s learning plan fits together in achieving specific graduation goals.
Signature Page
Creating a signature page at the end of your student’s IEP will document agreement of your IEP team (teacher, therapists, doctors, tutor, and whoever else will be helping your student work towards their goals) to be unified in working towards your student’s success.
Therapy Integration
If a therapist is working on your student’s IEP with you, make sure also to include any documentation on how therapy sessions will be integrated into the overall IEP plan.
Behavior Intervention
Document any methods used to help your child limit behavioral issues. It’s also helpful to note the frequency the intervention is used and if the behavior will be measured or is related to a specific goal.
Slow & Steady
Now it’s time to put your plan into action, but beware, don’t allow a lack of measurable progress to get you off track. Reference this SPED Homeschool article throughout the year when you need some encouragement to keep going.
