To tie all of this together, several States have also adopted a comprehensive system of educational standards, allowing students to demonstrate skills through a variety of means. While coordinating all of these activities in one IEP seems daunting, we must view these initiatives as more than laws, rules, or piles of paper. Simply meeting a law, fulfilling the State s standards, or completing required paperwork is not enough to prepare students for life beyond school. However, when we view these different initiatives as unique opportunities to help students meet their goals, everything can fit together. Our work is not simply multiplied it is forever changed.
Principles Making a comprehensive change is never easy.
We have discovered some principles to consider when combining these complementary initiatives into opportunities for all students. Keep your eye on the bottom line. If the team agrees that the purpose of all efforts is to help a student achieve the highest level of skill possible toward achieving personal dreams and goals, then the lines among the three initiatives blur, and individual student goals and needs become the priority. This is absolutely essential for students with disabilities if they are to have opportunities to achieve standards at their highest individual level. Relate skills and standards to the individual.