A Comprehensive Review and Analysis of a Well-Written IEP: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Recommendations

Your assignment is to review a sample IEP (linked below). The goal is to look at a well-written IEP and take note of the required sections so you can write your own IEP based on an evaluation. Please review the IRIS resource (Read and Study) for information about a High-Quality IEP.
Please review this IEP and write about (2-3 pages double-spaced) the IEP’s overall strengths, overall weaknesses, your opinion of how the following sections were written, and if you would change anything in these sections:
II Present levels of academic achievement and functional performance
III Transition services
V Goals and objectives
VI Special education/related services/supplementary aids and services/program modifications
VII Educational placement
VIII Penndata Reporting.
Finally, make at least two connections to class content and what you have already learned, as well as how this assignment will be helpful when writing your own IEP (for the next assignment or your future students). Do not use bullet points and instead write in complete paragraphs.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Review of an IEP

1. Introduction:
   • Begin with a brief introduction, explaining the purpose of your review. You should outline that your task is to evaluate a well-written IEP, noting its strengths and weaknesses, and providing your opinions on the key sections. Set the stage for a thorough evaluation.

   Example: “The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a crucial document for ensuring that students with disabilities receive appropriate and effective education. In this review, I will evaluate an IEP based on various sections outlined in the IRIS resource, discussing the strengths, weaknesses, and my opinions on each part.”

2. Overall Strengths of the IEP:
   • In this section, highlight the positive aspects of the IEP. This could include clarity, thoroughness, and alignment with the student’s needs. You may also note if the IEP is well-organized and easy to follow.

   Example: “One of the main strengths of this IEP is its clarity. Each section is well-defined, making it easy for educators and parents to understand the goals, services, and expectations for the student. Additionally, the IEP provides specific, measurable objectives, which are essential for tracking the student’s progress effectively.”

3. Overall Weaknesses of the IEP:
   • Discuss the areas that could be improved. This could involve unclear language, missing information, or sections that don’t align with the student’s needs. Be constructive and specific about the areas for improvement.

   Example: “A potential weakness of this IEP is the lack of detail in the transition services section. While transition planning is mentioned, there is not enough information on how these services will be implemented or how progress will be measured. Including a clearer, more actionable plan would better serve the student’s future goals.”

4. Section-by-Section Analysis:
   • II. Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance: Discuss how well the present levels are written. Are they detailed and accurate? Do they reflect the student’s current abilities? Would you change anything to improve it?

     Example: “The present levels section does a great job outlining the student’s strengths and challenges. However, I feel it could benefit from more specific data on the student’s academic performance across different subject areas. Including standardized test results or more detailed observations would provide a clearer picture of the student’s needs.”

   • III. Transition Services: Examine how the transition services are written. Are they comprehensive? Are the goals for transition developmentally appropriate? Would you add anything to ensure a smoother transition for the student?

     Example: “The transition services section mentions the student’s need for vocational training, but it lacks specifics about how these services will be coordinated and delivered. I would suggest adding detailed steps and timelines to ensure the student receives appropriate support during their transition to adulthood.”

   • V. Goals and Objectives: Evaluate how clear and measurable the goals and objectives are. Are they aligned with the student’s present levels and needs? What improvements would you suggest?

     Example: “The goals are appropriately aligned with the student’s present levels. They are specific and measurable, which makes tracking progress easier. However, I would add a timeline for each goal to ensure that progress is evaluated regularly.”

   • VI. Special Education/Related Services/Supplementary Aids and Services/Program Modifications: Look at how well the IEP addresses the services the student will receive. Are these services tailored to the student’s needs? Is the language clear?

     Example: “The services outlined in this section are appropriate and well-defined, covering the student’s need for speech therapy and one-on-one assistance in the classroom. However, I would suggest incorporating more collaborative strategies, such as co-teaching, to provide additional support.”

   • VII. Educational Placement: Analyze how the IEP describes the student’s educational placement. Is it the least restrictive environment? Are there clear justifications for the placement choice?

     Example: “The educational placement section is strong, clearly justifying the decision to place the student in a mainstream classroom with additional support. However, there could be more detail on the student’s progress within the placement and how this will be monitored.”

   • VIII. Penndata Reporting: This section is about reporting on progress. How is the reporting outlined? Are the methods for tracking progress clear and easy to follow?

     Example: “The progress reporting methods are well-articulated, with clear expectations for how and when progress will be measured. However, it could be improved by specifying the frequency of progress updates to ensure that all parties are consistently informed.”

5. Connections to Class Content:
   • Reflect on what you’ve learned in class and how it relates to your evaluation of the IEP. What theoretical concepts or practices did you find in the IEP that align with what you’ve studied?

   Example: “From our class discussions on the importance of measurable goals, I noticed that this IEP excels in creating specific, measurable objectives. This aligns with what we’ve learned about the importance of tracking progress in a way that is objective and verifiable.”

6. How This Assignment Will Help in Writing Your Own IEP:
   • Consider how this assignment will help you as a future educator when you write your own IEPs. How has reviewing this IEP prepared you for your own work?

   Example: “Reviewing this IEP has provided me with valuable insight into what makes an effective and comprehensive plan. I will take note of how specific and measurable the goals are, as well as how critical it is to ensure a well-rounded transition plan for students. This assignment will be especially helpful in ensuring that my future IEPs are thorough and actionable.”

7. Conclusion:
   • Wrap up your paper by summarizing your evaluation and providing final thoughts on the importance of writing a quality IEP.

   Example: “In conclusion, a high-quality IEP should be thorough, specific, and aligned with the student’s individual needs. While this IEP has many strengths, there are areas where it could be enhanced, particularly in transition services and progress reporting. By using the insights gained from this assignment, I feel better prepared to write my own IEPs in the future.”

By following these steps, you’ll be able to evaluate the IEP in detail and connect the assignment to both your class learning and your future teaching practice.