Student Workshop

IEP Meeting Information
Student Guide to Transition Services - download pdf

Students: It’s Your Life !

As you approach the end of your high school career, many people will ask you what you want to do after graduation. Although these people make it seem like an easy question, it is a very hard one. There is a secret that your parents, teachers, and other adults may not be telling you.

They probably did not know what they wanted to do with their life when they were your age. Now, as adults, they may or may not be pleased with many choices that they made. With a “little help from your friends”, you can learn steps to make a decision that focuses on your interests and talents. This will help you as you choose a career, a place to live, hobbies, and even a “soul mate”.

Here is the important part. No one can do this for you. Your parents and teachers, no matter how much they care about you, cannot do it for you. You must do it YOURSELF! This brings up something called self-determination. If you learn self-determination, you will find success in life after high school.

What is self-determination?

Self-determination is knowing what you want and how to get it. If you are self-determined, you have the ability to set goals and to work hard to get to these goals. You must be honest with yourself about the things that you are good and not so good at doing. You look beyond your interests and become involved in the community where you live. Self-determination is a gradual process.

During high school, you will begin to understand how to make decisions and to know what you need. You will learn to speak your needs in a way that is not demanding or rude. You will become more self-confident in expressing your views and more patient in listening to others. Becoming self-determined takes lots of practice.

You will make mistakes (everyone does), but don’t give up. As you become more self-determined, you will begin to look at the benefits of planning ahead. For example, it may seem like more fun to take many electives one semester, but you know that your end purpose is to graduate with your class. It may seem like more fun to stay up late each night visiting with your friends instead of writing a term paper due in English, but you know that you do not want to fail this class, so you work on the paper. Self-determination helps you discipline yourself to achieve your goals.

Where did all of this self-determination stuff come from?

The process of working hard and staying focused to achieve goals has been around forever, but our government began to stress this in 1990 for students with disabilities, when the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) became law. This law says that students with disabilities who are at least ages 16 through 21 must have a say in planning their Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Self-determination means you will have a say in setting your goals, naming your strengths and naming what you are not so good at.  It also means knowing about your disability and what you need help with to meet your goals. The first thing you will be asked is what would you like to do after high school.  Your answers to this question will become your “measurable post secondary goals”. Measurable post secondary goals are goals for after high school and are written for employment and college or vocational school.

You are at the IEP meeting to discuss your transition from being a student to becoming an adult. Transition means change. This change is happening to you, not to your teachers or parents, so it is very important that you be at this meeting. At the IEP meeting, you are a part of a team. This team has members that help you plan your future-your principal, your teachers, your coach, your best friend, your parents and perhaps others, such as your school counselor or your case manager. This team will make decisions on how you can best achieve the goals that you have made for your life. Before you exit from school, you may apply for services through DDD or DVR.

What else does the IEP team talk about?
The IEP team talks a lot about changes that can be made to help you learn in the best way while you are in school. It talks about how you will participate in the regular programs at school. Your teachers and parents will help you develop goals in the following areas:

Employment-what do you want to do?Post-Secondary Education/Training-what schooling do you need after high school in order to reach your goals?

Independent/Supported living-what do you need to learn in order to live alone? If you can’t live alone, what help do you need in order to be as independent as possible?

Community involvement – are you involved with good things outside of work and home?

This may seem like too much to comprehend, but relax! Everyone has to face the future. Good transition planning involves learning how to face the future with a plan in mind. Be flexible. Get to know your talents and unique needs. Listen to the wisdom that older people can give to you.

Enjoy learning more about yourself and planning your adult life!

How To Get Ready for Your IEP Meeting        back to top

Your IEP meeting is a big deal, because it involves you and your future. There are things that you can do to prepare for this meeting.

What can you do before your IEP meeting?
Plan to attend your meeting.
Invite those whom you would like to attend your meeting.
Know your strengths and weaknesses.
Know your needs and preferences.
Think about your classes for the past year. What went well for you? What did not work
for you?
Ask teachers about what will happen at your IEP meeting.
Come with a plan and discuss it with an adult who will attend the meeting and support you.

What can you do during your IEP meeting?
Listen to others.
Tell the IEP team what your interests are.
Ask questions if you don’t understand something.
Know your strengths and weaknesses.
Take ownership for your meeting. State different views if you feel uncomfortable about
the meeting.

What can you do after your IEP meeting?
Thank others for attending your meeting.
Follow through on what you said you would do. Check to make sure that others are doing the same thing.
Make yourself available for a friend’s IEP meeting, if you are asked.
As a student, you have both rights and responsibilities. The key to using your rights is to takecharge of your responsibilities.