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The Special Ed Advocate

How to Write SMART IEPs:
Specific, Measureable, Active, Realistic, Time-limited
by Pam & Pete Wright
Wrightslaw.com

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This newsletter is a 2 minute read (476 words).

On August 28, 1963, over 250,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to hear Martin Luther King Jr. call for civil and economic rights and an end to racism in the United States. Who imagined this journey would take so long?

If you have a child with a disability, the last few months may have tested and tried you in ways you could not have imagined six months ago.

As schools open and close, you need a clear sense of the issues that are important and those that will resolve in time. The laws and regulations about special education, including IEPs, have not changed.

In this issue of the Special Ed Advocate, you will learn to ...

  • write SMART goals for your child's IEPs;
  • identify appropriate accommodations and modifications;
  • work with educational evaluators, tutors and advocates; and
  • manage disputes with the school.

As schools try to reopen - for in-person classes or for another round of remote learning - this may be a good time to update your knowledge and skills. We can help.

Because special ed can consume your life, we have tips for taking care of yourself and your family.



1. SMART IEPs: A Tactics and Strategy Session

"As an LDA President, I coach parents about how to use present levels of academic and functional performance to write goals for their child's IEPs.

"Some schools resist. They want to use subjective teacher observations' instead of objective information from tests. Does it matter if the IEP is based on objective measurable data?


four children at home

SMART IEPs: A Tactics and Strategy Session will teach you to ...

  • clarify present levels of academic achievement and functional performance;
  • write IEP goals that are SMART -- specific, measurable, active, realistic, and time-limited;
  • identify appropriate accommodations and modifications;
  • work with educational evaluators, consultants, advocates, and tutors; and
  • resolve disputes with the school without starting WW III.


2. Wrightslaw Multimedia Training Center

As your child's school reopens, it's a good time to update your knowledge and skills.

Wrightslaw Training Program Downloads are available 24/7 - wherever you live, whenever you want. Work at your own pace. Eliminate distractions and schedule your study periods at times that meet your needs. All you need is a digital device.

smiling woman during Wrightslaw training

Special Education Law and Advocacy Training Programs are available as immediate downloads when purchased from the Wrightslaw Store.

Discounts Available: Perfect for parent and staff training, support or study groups. Save 20%-50% on purchases for group training.

Tips for Taking Care of Yourself and Your Family

Raising a child with special needs can be overwhelming. If you aren't careful, special ed can consume your life. Many parents drive themselves until they are exhausted and burned out.

Pace yourself. Listen to tapes about time management. Use a schedule to gain control of your life. Spend time with friends or family to re-charge your batteries and regain a healthy perspective.

More tips for taking care of yourself and your family.


Revised: 08/28/20



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