Student-Led IEP

The ability to understand and communicate one's own needs, rights, and interests. In special education, self-advocacy means a student can explain their disability, describe the supports they need, speak up in IEP meetings, and request accommodations. Building self-advocacy skills is essential for transition to adult life.

The ability of a person to make choices and decisions about their own life. In special education, self-determination skills include self-advocacy, goal-setting, decision-making, and self-awareness. Teaching these skills is a critical part of transition planning to help students succeed independently after school.

A formal meeting where the IEP team comes together to develop, review, or revise a student's IEP. Parents must be invited and given adequate notice. Schools must schedule meetings at a mutually agreed time and place. Parents have the right to bring advocates or other individuals with knowledge of the child.