DIY IEP: Step 1 - Present Levels of Performance
The first step in creating your DIY IEP is to determine what your child's current skills are. This can be general or specific, but the more specific you can be, the better. Some go by test scores; e.g. my child can read at a fourth grade level, spell at a third grade level, but can do math at only a first grade level. Scores can be gleaned from annual testing, but annual test scores really only reflect the child's skill on the day of testing. If he forgot his glasses, stayed up too late the night before, or has a cold, these or any of a number of factors can affect the results of the annual standardized test.
A more accurate way to determine current skills is to look at the child's day to day work. You can get a general idea of their grade level, but even better, you can zero in on specific skills. You may find that your child can add simple two digit numbers, but becomes confused when he has to carry a number. Or that he can spell words just fine on a test, but doesn't transfer that skill to daily writing. As you determine which skills are learned and which are not, you may also gain insight into your child's learning style. Maybe he can perform tasks on the computer more easily than he can in a traditional paper- pencil format. As long as the child learns, that's what matters. Some children will do better in group efforts and some could just curl up and read all day. Having some awareness into how your child learns best is a bonus to this process.
So, using whatever you have to work with, determine what your child can do. You may ask them, as well, what they are good at and what is difficult. When I test, I always ask the children what they are good at and what is difficult. I have found that children's self-assessments are pretty accurate.
As you glean this information, write it down. If you are focusing on more than one subject, use a separate sheet for each subject. That will keep everything more organized for the next step, setting goals and objectives. While it would be helpful to have this info for each subject, this process can become overwhelming. Zero in on one subject and start with that.
Here is a sample list of skills for an elementary age child for math.
- Identifies shapes by name
- Knows directional words (up, down, in, out, under, over, etc.)
- Says days of week in order
- Says 8 of 12 months, not in order
- Recognizes numerals
- Knows number values e.g.
= 3 - Can add single digits to sum of 18 (paper/pencil)
- Can subtract single digits with top number 18 or less
- Can add 2- or 3-digit numbers without regrouping (carrying)
- Can subtract 2- or 3-digit numbers without regrouping (borrowing)
- Just beginning to add with regrouping
- No work with fractions or decimals at this time
As you list academic skills, remember they don't have to be at 100% accuracy to be mastered. How many of us have made errors when balancing a checkbook? Mistakes happen, but depending on the child's ability level, a skill should be completed correctly at least 8 of 10 times to be considered mastered. This can be higher or lower depending on your expectations.