A Competency-Based Individual Education Plan (IEP) documents the goals, resources and strategies that are needed to help a student with a designated category of special needs equitably access the curriculum and support their social-emotional well-being. IEPs are legal documents that ensure a student's right to an equitable education, which may include special services and/or equipment. IEPs serve as collaborative planning tools and require multiple parties (see list below) to meet at least once per year to contribute their ideas on how to best support the student. IEPs are living documents and can be revisited and updated throughout the year as needed. IEPs reflect the complexity of the student's needs and can be brief or more detailed.
An IEP includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Learning goals and objectives that are different from, or are in addition to, expected learning outcomes
An overview of the student's strengths and areas of need
A list of support services and the student's support team
A list of adapted materials, instruction and/or assessment methods
By having all of the student's information about their present levels, goals, supplementary aids and services on one document everyone can stay on the same page. This transparency helps with accountability and monitoring of student progress. As well, when a student moves grades or schools, teachers and staff who work with the student can view the IEP prior to the school year beginning and prepare for the student’s needs to ensure their success.
A student's support team may include:
Teacher(s)
Educational Assistant(s)
School Administration
School Counsellor
Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
Paraprofessional personnel (OT, PT, SLP)
Outside agencies
The student
For more information about these support team members click here.