Christen Brabenec: The whole point of this document is to encompass all your strengths and all your needs.

Christen Brabenec: Because we teach students about their IEPs, they feel empowered to use them as a tool that will support them from middle school to graduation, and it’s something that they can be in control of.

Christen Brabenec: Today we are going to be talking about the IEP document in general.

Once a month I visit our middle school and we focus on career exploration, independent living skills, and then college.

Christen Brabenec: Today I did a lesson specifically about the IEP, because a lot of students know they have one, but they don’t understand what the document is.

Christen Brabenec: Why do you think we start the IEP with what you want to do for your future?

Student: So that they can just like teach you and like help you get to that goal?

Christen Brabenec: Absolutely. It’s like a road map, right?

Christen Brabenec: The IEP is a living, breathing document, and it’s like a tool for them to take charge of to help them to get where they want to be.

Christen Brabenec: Everybody’s input goes into your profile, so why don’t you take a look at your profile.

We went through four or five major sections of the IEP, and then how they can be a contributing member of the IEP team.

Christen Brabenec: Let’s look at what are some things that it said you needed to work on?

Student: Study skills.

Christen Brabenec: Study skills.

Christen Brabenec: The progression is we start with basic knowledge, but moving forward, they know about it. They know when their meetings are, and they are actively seeking that out and they say, “I want to be there.”

Student: Respectful, polite, follows teacher’s directions.

Christen Brabenec: Students who are engaged in their IEP have learned to use their resources through their IEP meetings so they see the importance of that. And with each time we meet, their voice becomes stronger and students feel empowered by that.

Does anybody know any accommodations?

Student: Extended time on assessments.

Christen Brabenec: Yeah. Extended time on assessments.

Olmsted Falls Middle School

.css-1sk4066:hover{background:#d1ecfa;}Helping Students See Their IEPs as Tools

Helping Students See Their IEPs as Tools