481 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<67C5935B9099344ABEDAEEEBF4E20F8C>]/Index[447 65]/Info 446 0 R/Length 154/Prev 193707/Root 448 0 R/Size 512/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Though people may value different strengths to different extents, in general, parents and educators across cultures value these qualities and try to cultivate them in children and youth. When a skill is not acquired, the implication is not that the student is deficient, but rather that the student lacks the opportunity, experience, and instruction needed to master the skill at this time. He cant follow the teachers directions. I just needed better coping mechanisms, which no one taught me. The list of student strengths for IEP writing can be endless! Instead, you may spend your time daydreaming or talking to others, which means you get behind on your work or miss valuable pieces of information. Strengths-based IEPs arent widely used yet. It often refers to visuals creatively, but can also include being able to think in a novel and unexpected way. Apathy is a student weakness because if you cant see the value of study and learning you will struggle to apply the effort necessary to succeed. In his classroom behavior, he demonstrates responsibility by coming prepared to class with materials ready to learn. Manage Settings Even if the student strengths seem silly or out of place, they may be meaningful for some students. A: Common student weaknesses may include difficulty staying focused, procrastination, lack of confidence or motivation, poor communication skills, and difficulty managing stress. A students strengths can fit into different categories or domains. The health and medical related resources on this website are provided solely for informational and educational purposes and are not a substitute for a professional diagnosis or for medical or professional advice. Use a strengths finder before the IEP meeting. Is a students' awareness also considered a strength? View: List IEP Goals: Strengths and Weaknesses Questionnaire by SPED Helpline 5.0 (1) $3.00 PDF This questionnaire must be completed by the teacher of the student. Examples of Special Qualities to list on the IEP. The team not only identifies strengths, but leverages them to help address weaknesses. Easily Distracted 14. Do you know your strengths and weaknesses? In order for student strengths to be effective in developing an iep, they must relate specifically and uniquely to each student. It requires hard work, dedication, and a willingness to set goals, make plans, and stick to them. 2010-2023 The OT Toolbox | Privacy Policy, Pumpkin Deep Breathing Exercise for Halloween Mindfulness, When Executive Function Skills Impair Handwriting, Executive Functioning Skills- Teach Planning and Prioritization, Fine Motor Activities to Improve Open Thumb Web Space, Activities to improve smooth visual pursuits, Classroom Accommodations for Visual Impairments, Typing Activities for Occupational therapy, Maintains seated position on the carpet with peers, Teaches peers to play Spiderman at recess time, Cared for primarily by paternal grandmother whom he talks about often, Lives with foster family who act as great advocates, Attends weekend camp at the YMCA where he builds community skills, Meets community members while he works part-time as a grocery store clerk, Plants a garden at the senior center every spring, Is a member of the local special Olympics team. This student's schedule is being modified to add in additional tutoring sessions. Jos follows classroom rules and expectations and actively participates in table groups. A: Students can use their strengths to pursue activities and interests that may help them reach their academic or career goals. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Strengths-based ieps allow teachers and parents to identify student strengths and use them as a tool for success. Maybe youre getting ready for an IEP meeting, and thinking, What are my childs strengths? or How do I know my childs strengths? Parents, you know your kids best! Taking a look at specific student strengths in the classroom is a great place to start. This kind of IEP gives much more weight to a students strengths, interests and preferences. An outside hobby, sport or group can be integral to the students school success. What makes student strengths effective is their ability to be targeted for goal setting. Does she prefer to work in groups? When working towards an IEP goal, he is curious about new material and is open to new ideas. Additionally, some students may show leadership skills by helping others learn different activities or games. Having a supportive family and community will absolutely affect student growth. "YA$\)X$l3l`5`q` JDzH@Q9vIL^`Lf{ L`C!A = These kinds of student self-assessments can help IEP teams develop a strengths-based IEP. From student work habits (work independently) to academics (reading comprehension), every area of a child's development can be highlighted using this easy to use, step-by-step guide. In the meantime, you dont have to wait for your childs school to change its IEP template. It's easy to let the IEP process become a deficit-driven conversation. A: Students may be able to identify their strengths and weaknesses through self-reflection, feedback from classmates or teachers, or by engaging in activities that allow them to assess their abilities. A child with strong short-term memory skills is often able to remember things for a short period of time, such as a list of items or a set of instructions. Always seek parental and general education teacher input before choosing which strengths to highlight the student. In this section, when writing the list of student strengths for IEP, we want to be sure to write newly achieved skills, other pertinent skills, personal qualities, family, and community strengths as well. As a student, knowing yourself, including the things you are best at, and the skills that could do with a little more work can be invaluable. Students are multifaceted, ever-evolving, and full of potential. None of us are perfect, and this means its likely that we will have at least some weakness to work on. They must also develop proper study habits such as taking notes during lectures and studying regularly. Because differences are our greatest strength. 6. Approaching IEPs from a strengths-based perspective does not sugarcoat the struggles that students with exceptionalities may face. These areas of strength are part of the students environment, and impact overall functional performance of the student. Disruptive students are more interested in following their agenda in class such as talking or making others laugh than completing the work assigned to them by their teacher. hb```g``c`e`XqAb,;i``hq@q%v]yd@H7@Z"Jb:\?8lkd;EqLg/n`Y%S93\ub`6 i*{`PL@ zr Research with young people has found that character strengths relate to multiple aspects of well-being, including happiness, mental/emotional health, social relationships, and academic achievement. When you have a structure to help you, developing a student strength statement and weaknesses statement is not difficult. This is an area of the IEP that needs more focus and attention. Imagine an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that focuses as much on your childs strengths as it does on your childs weaknesses. Although that student strength might not directly relate to academic success, it may contribute to the student's participation in class. Using an interpreter is one important way, As students with disabilities approach adult life beyond high school, theyll need critical self-determination skills to identify their dreams and goals and advocate for the future they want. It is our duty as special education instructors to discover and publicize those assets in order to develop them further. Ask, What does the student do well? Begin each IEP goal with a strength: Teachers should encourage parents to be active participants in the IEP process. A: Strategies students can use to improve upon their weaknesses include setting achievable goals, breaking projects down into smaller tasks, developing better study habits and using online tools or resources to help them stay organized and motivated. In this post I will provide a few examples of items to add to your list of student strengths for IEP writing, to help you get the ball rolling. Remember that student strengths can be based on work habits or personality traits. These list items are grouped into six different categories: Attitude, Academic Skills, Executive Function Skills, Social Skills, Motor Skills, and Sensory Processing Skills. Jenny actively participates in class discussions and engages well in peer-to-peer workgroups. He likes to read and he also enjoys science activities. Thank you for reading! Copyright 2014-2023 Understood For All Inc. hands-on activity to help identify your childs strengths, questions about having your child attend IEP meetings, Working With Schools online community group. Its the ability to connect the dots, as they say. Key points to reflection when writing strengths-based ieps: How do charter strengths improve academic performance? (Though literal shouting in an IEP meeting may be frowned upon.). Start a conversation about strengths-based IEPs in our Working With Schools online community group. And explore 10 ways to be an effective advocate for your child at school. For example, students can lead the part of the meeting where they share what they discovered about themselves when taking the strengths test. Students will identify their personal biases and consider how those biases influence their ability to treat others fairly. ), creativity, writing, critical thinking, study skills, problem-solving, and reading. Individualized education programs that focus on learnercompetencies enhance student growth and increase parental involvement. Take an inventory of the students strengths, interests, and preferences. Kindness is about treating others with respect and recognizing their individuality and humanity and acting in line with this. These can include academic abilities, such as writing and mathematics; interpersonal skills like collaboration and communication; problem solving skills; creativity; resilience or persistence in difficult situations; and physical abilities. In some sections, IDEA lists the strengths of the child as the first item. Character strengths are the positive qualities individuals haveas reflected in their thoughts, feelings, and actionsthat promote the well-being of themselves and others. Both items combined will be at the forefront of any student's strength profile. This deficit-based approach to setting goals, determining benchmarks, and deciding on programs and services downplays the unique contributions and capabilities of students, focuses on limitations and labels, may promote a negative understanding of the student and their potential, and ultimately discourages parental input and student participation in the IEP process. 0 Strengths tests and self-assessments can help deepen the discussion about strengths. Use this framework to help guide the writing process: __________ has a strong character, is _______________, and is _______________. You may put off studying or procrastinate, creating chaos in the process. Both of these questions lead to academic and behavioral success in the classroom. A student's strength is a positive attribute that can be used to help students reach their goals and become more successful in life. (Gratitude for Tweens and Teens Lesson 3), A values-informed process to help students make the best possible ethical choices, Strategies for parents and caregivers to help teens understand and practice being humble. Megan is a hard worker in the classroom. It helps teachers get a better sense of how to help your child move forward. !3 K>q@Uu 2} ESTP Strengths and Weaknesses: Top 5 List of ESTP Weaknesses, Nursing Strengths and Weaknesses: Top 5 Poll Results 2023, List of Weaknesses: 43 Examples of Personal Weaknesses, 50 Strength and Weakness Quotes: My Strengths and Weaknesses, Strengths and Talents: List of 40 Talents and Strengths, Expedia Strengths Based Assessment Reddit Answers, 10 Marketing Strengths and List of Marketing Skills, Top 10 Supervisor Strengths and Weaknesses for Interviews. Get the latest tools and resources And sometimes, during a meeting, were put on the spot. Strategies to encourage and help students practice honesty. Participates in discussions at home, at school, and with friends; non-speakers can follow along with discussions, Tells stories that have a clear beginning, middle, and end, Uses lots of words and likes learning new words, Can answer who, what, when, where, why, and how questions in conversation (or about a story), Understands the structure of sounds; can do tasks like rhyme, Can remember details and retell stories after reading them, Can make predictions based on whats happened so far in a story, Reads with expression, like the way an actor talks on TV shows, Makes connections between reading material and personal experiences, Ability to focus and concentrate for extended periods, Good listening skills and processing skills. Students should also reach out to mentors or tutors for guidance and advice when needed. Others may have difficulty working with different groups of peers due to lack of social skills. IEP goals are built around what the student can do and how the team can use those abilities. Such as, if you are reading a book to your child, are they looking and reading along with you? Disruptive 8. Its the ability to recall knowledge and use it appropriately. But IEP teams can reframe the strengths discussion so it focuses on abilities: What does Elana do well?. What are the strengths that make the student academically successful? Elana will use her skills with a times table to help transition by May 15 to knowing from memory all products of two one-digit numbers with 90% accuracy in four out of five tries. By doing so, students can become more confident and successful on the playground. Do you want to dive deeper into the science behind our GGIE practices? I prettied it up a little if you want to share it:) My favorite part of the strengths section of an IEP is when I get to write a current strength of a student, that used to be a weakness. Her at grade level math skills are a strength, as are her social skills. Though people may value different strengths to different extents, in general, parents and educators across cultures value these qualities and try to cultivate them in children and youth. Ability to interpret and analyze data and information. For example, if Elana struggles in math, what does she do well in that subject? The areas of need that the student should be working on should be listed in the IEP present levels. Lack of Focus 6. Many students also have difficulty staying organized, studying efficiently or managing their emotions effectively. What are some other ways to avoid getting stuck on what a student cant do yet? Students explore what forgiveness is and what it is not. The strengths should be identified, either through evaluations or anecdotal information from parents and teachers. Now, he has perfect handwriting, and no longer needs specialized services for this skill area! Statement of academic needs/weaknesses 4. Learners' strengths can be very diverse based on the specific situation. %%EOF If not, you and your childs case manager can look for a free strengths assessment online. Something that in turn can limit your enjoyment of school and your opportunities in later life. Todays tips are for: All members of IEP teams for students in grades K-12, The challenge: Starting the process of figuring out how to support a students learning. Recognizing these strengths in students is key to helping them reach their full potential. A: Common student strengths examples include strong analytical and problem-solving skills, creativity, strong communication skills, good time management, self-motivation and discipline. This can help kids think about new ways to develop their strengths and work on their weaknesses. 2. 2. Student IEPs. Strengths-based IEP goal: Mike will use his skills with technology to dictate and complete his history chapter notes on time with 85 percent accuracy in three out of four consecutive assignments. However, by being determined to succeed you can stop small setbacks from impacting your ability to achieve over the long term. Hopefully, I have covered all of these areas and categories. Being creative means being able to come at a problem from different and unusual perspectives. Additionally, some students may struggle with low self-esteem or perfectionism that keeps them from taking risks or trying new things. Selective attention: A child with selective attention skills is able to filter out distractions and focus on one task. But more and more schools are shifting the focus from deficits to a strengths-based approach. And, we dont typically look for lists of weaknesses to put on an IEP. Student-led IEPs also underscore the importance of self-awareness. This form includes a checklist (teachers love this option because we are SO busy), and also areas for teachers to note student strengths/weaknesses, current grades, observed skill deficits, and much more. Another way to think about it is, what outside help does this student have to help them achieve their goals? Subjective language. Moreover, shifting to a more balanced, holistic perspective that leans on a students strengths to improve areas of weakness provides an authentic opportunity for students to develop their self-advocacy skills, self-confidence, and independence as learners. An IEP team can use student strengths to develop student success goals within the student's iep. Being apathetic means that you dont care about your studies. Research on character strengths in both adults and youth tends to use the Values in Action (VIA) Classification, a framework that identifies 24 character strengths, which are often organized under six core virtues. Motivation/Work Ethic. Visual processing: A child with strong visual processing skills is often able to easily understand and remember information that is presented visually. Word choice. A teacher once remarked, It is clearly beyond time for us to value the unique qualities of every individual in our classroom.. With that in mind, why not check out our guide to the most common strengths and weaknesses of students below to see if any resonate with you. I hope that this student strengths for iep examples guide has been helpful. Apathy 4. Is honest and trustworthy (already addressed this above), Is caring, kind, and empathetic (its very rare to find a child who truly does not care or empathize with others; they often lack the traditional ways to show it), Helps others (do they have the skill sets to help others, to explain things, and be of assistance? For example, one of my students was originally receiving occupational therapy to address fine motor skills and visual motor skills. When choosing student strengths, pick student strengths that are easily observable and measurable. What a powerful way to support a childs progression than to shout their achievements out for the whole educational team to hear! Student strength lists should not focus on student weaknesses or deficits. Students explore how every person has dignity and wortheven those who hurt us. Strengths-based IEPs are rooted in the belief that all students have strengths and that students motivation increases when the adults around them point out those strengths. This child may do well in school and remember content for tests easily. This likely means asking students to help identify their strengths, interests and preferences. Student strengths examples can also be related to personal character traits such as leadership, responsibility and organization. It also gives any new coming team members some ideas of what motivates the student. Inside: Learn how to use Student Strengths or Child Strengths on an IEP, and the importance of doing so. Student strengths in the classroom are important to understanding the student as a whole! I hate seeing kids punished for this, or for it to be treated as a character flaw. Teachers will foster students moral identity through selective use of language in the classroom. Strengths and Weaknesses 3-Step Method: My $1 Million Answer Got Me The Job! On the other hand, weaknesses can also be identified while monitoring playground activities. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 3. My lying was treated as a character flaw, and it took me many years to realize that I am a good person. Given fourth-grade level (4.0) reading material, Nura will write three details from the passage in her own words with 85% accuracy on three out of four consecutive assignments. Student likes. By focusing on what the student can do, and then using those strengths to set goals to help address a particular need, teachers provide students with greater opportunities for academic success; they build resilience and a growth mindset; and finally, self-esteem, self-determination, and self-efficacy are fostered. And you can advocate for more teacher training in strengths-based IEPs at your childs school or in your local district. This student will receive 60 minute tutoring sessions three days a week before school.

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