The Person-Centered Appeal of the Student-Led IEP

As public education trends toward a more personalized approach to learning, progressive practices for students with disabilities are evolving to emphasize student voice, self-determination and a customized approach to college/career/life planning.

Special education is shifting from a predominant focus on identification and compliance to a more results-driven educational planning process. The focus is on building students’ skills through authentic learning experiences that lead to a more robust, personalized transition plan.

In the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization, which runs school-based programs in eight member districts near Chicago, we have designed a customized student-led individualized education planning process as part of a systemwide training series that promotes a person-centered philosophy. Our approach carries an intense focus on engaging students and their families in planning, revising and refining plans for postsecondary life. The student’s involvement in the transition steps becomes progressively more critical.

This IEP practice operates across NSSEO programs, reflecting increased engagement, student voice and self-determination as students mature.

NSSEO’s direct programs and services educate more than 500 students with significant low-incidence needs that include cognitive disabilities, multiple disabilities, autism, behavioral/emotional disabilities, deaf/hard of hearing, blind and vision impairments.