Youth Connections
Giving students a voice in leading their IEP
meeting and in planning their future
The Parent Information Center (PIC) believes that students as much as parents should be involved in the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process. However, for students to become effective self -advocates it takes more than just a transfer of rights from parents to students.
Students need information and skills in order to be engaged in determining their own future.
The IEP is both a document and a process.
Using the IEP as a guide, teachers and parents can help students develop and practice advocacy and leadership skills that will facilitate their successful transition from high school to life after high school.
Here are some activities that will help students find the information and acquire the skills they need on their journey from school to post-secondary education or employment:
- Using the annotated Student IEP (currently in draft form) based on the State of Delaware Transition IEP 4/2008), guide students through the various sections of the IEP document. The sections of the IEP may be introduced and discussed in a variety of ways and settings. For a copy of the draft annotated Student IEP form click here.
- Getting your input and input from your students to the draft annotated Student IEP. Since the form is still in draft, we encourage you to use it and to contact ksherel@picofdel.org with your comments or suggestions.
- Watching a video of a student-led IEP. Click here
- Providing opportunities for youth to practice leadership skills in all aspects of their school day and supporting their participation in the IEP process. Click here for ideas.
- Exploring resources and information about postsecondary transition for students, parents, teachers and professionals by visiting PIC’s online resource center.
- Staying current with transition activities and events by visiting the DE Transition Community at: www.sharedwork.org/, a website created to share information throughout the state and nationally on secondary transition.
- Encouraging Delaware's Student Leadership Advisory Council members and their adult liaisons to assume the responsibility of working with peers in their respective schools to promote meaningful youth leadership.
* Delaware’s Student Leadership Advisory Council includes high school students from the New Castle County Student Business Leaders (SBL) program and Kent and Sussex County students who are currently involved in leadership activities in their schools.
SLAC activities include: Developing materials for students and teachers to use in student-led IEPs, in developing personal leadership and advocacy skills and in representing youth on boards and committees.
SLAC is supported by the DE Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT) committee which includes representatives from: Parent Information Center, Dept. of Education, Div. of Vocational Rehabilitation, students and educators from School Districts and transition community members.
By working together, we hope that all students will have meanigful particpation in planning their IEP's and their future.
