Each goal should be tied to a specific state academic standard for reading. Statement of functional abilities and needs The PLAAFP should include the student's strengths, but since it is important to establish the areas of focus for the IEP, it must document areas of weakness/in need of improvement. This guide walks teachers through the process of writing clear and positive student strengths narratives. This essay is designed to give you, the professional, a rationale for teaching to the strengths and interests of your students with dyslexia. This likely means asking students to help identify their strengths, interests and preferences. List of Student Strengths For IEP Writing - The OT Toolbox The common goals and the strengths-based goals set the same expectation for student progress. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. There are many different types of student strengths, and each student may have their own unique combination of strengths. Learners' strengths can be very diverse based on the specific situation. The OT Toolbox assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions that may appear in the Website. Strengths tests and self-assessments can help deepen the discussion about strengths. __ Deals with anger, insults, and disagreements peacefully. Many of these were crowdsourced from our IEP parent group. There is also a space to list the students strengths and weaknesses and related services as well Subjects: Special Education Grades: Not Grade Specific Types: Classroom Forms $1.25 4.9 (3) Word Document File Add to cart Wish List Student Led IEP: Parent Participation Created by Principal's Decree Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Ethical Decision-Making & Social Responsibility, Topic 1 Caring for Ourselves: The Science of Emotional Resilience, Topic 2 Safety & Belonging in Classrooms and Schools, Topic 3 Addressing Trauma and Adversity: Supporting Student Mental Health, Topic 4 Committing to Racial Equity and Cultural Responsiveness, Topic 5 Teaching for Social, Emotional, and Academic Development, Topic 6 Supporting SEL through Family and Community Engagement, Wisdom (creativity; curiosity; judgment; love of learning; perspective), Courage (bravery; perseverance; honesty; zest), Humanity (love; kindness; social-emotional intelligence), Temperance (forgiveness; humility; prudence; self-regulation), Transcendence (appreciation of beauty and excellence; gratitude; hope; humor; spirituality), Many character strengths are associated with higher satisfaction with life. Jos is caring and kind and demonstrates loyalty in friendship. Heres how I like to think of it: the strengths of the student are the building blocks that new skills will be added to or in other words, how can the student use their current strengths to help them make more gains in the future? Additionally, some students may have difficulty following instructions or staying focused during group activities. Student success is paramount in todays competitive academic landscape. An outside hobby, sport or group can be integral to the students school success. Keep it basic and straightforward, but be truthful in your choice. Student strengths such as "helps partner with school work," "remembers to raise hand in class," and "tries to stay on task" are student strengths that can be observed and measured. Admittedly, we all look for people of strong characterin our spouses, friends, employers, and so on. Megan is a hard worker in the classroom. Good academic performance is the result of consistent hard work and dedication to ones studies. Tip - The list below is by no means all-inclusive. Make sure your child and adolescent strengths are included as part of your parent concerns. Unfortunately, thats not the norm for most students yet. Although that student strength might not directly relate to academic success, it may contribute to the student's participation in class. Others may have difficulty working with different groups of peers due to lack of social skills. Academic Skills or Strengths: reading skills, writing skills, math or science skills, preferred subject area excellence, or study habits. Procrastination is the deliberate postponing of one's assignments until the last possible moment. Adjusting these templates can help ensure that strengths are discussed throughout the IEP meeting, not just in the first section. A child with a great memory is often able to remember instructions, peoples names, and previous learning experiences easily. 2. This list of student strengths and weaknesses for IEP contains a wide variety of examples. Has a strong number sense, like knowing which is larger and which is smaller, Sees and understands patterns in nature and in numbers, Puts effort into making friends and keeping them, Accepts personal responsibility for actions (good and bad). Find out if your childs school already has access to a strengths finder. It can also give kids a sense of ownership when they get to help make decisions about their IEP. What makes this student unique? All Rights Reserved. When working towards an IEP goal, she will ask for help when needed and accept help when offered. Now, he has perfect handwriting, and no longer needs specialized services for this skill area! Processing speed: A child with fast processing speed is often able to quickly understand, complete tasks, and remember new information. Making a note about the strengths of a students family or community supports on the IEP report is not always recognized in the list of student strengths IEP section, but it is worth noting. 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. endstream endobj 448 0 obj <. We're so glad this post was helpful and resonated with you. "YA$\)X$l3l`5`q` JDzH@Q9vIL^`Lf{ L`C!A = Disruptive 8. 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. Strengths-based IEPs aim to start with a strength for each of the skill sets discussed in this section. 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. You may put off studying or procrastinate, creating chaos in the process. Sydney is alsoa childrens author and illustrator and is always working on new and exciting projects. It's easy to let the IEP process become a deficit-driven conversation. Make your narratives shine with a student strength lists guide! And these insights can be a guiding force throughout the IEP meeting. Joint and Divided attention: A child who is able to divide their attention is able to focus on two tasks at the same time. Logic skills: A child with strong logic skills is often able to see the connections between things. This questionnaire is applicable to students ages 4-17. 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. 2023 A Day In Our Shoes with Lisa Lightner. Additionally, some students may show leadership skills by helping others learn different activities or games. Its important for IEP goals to be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results-oriented and Time-bound). Others may prefer quieter activities such as reading or playing board games with friends. Reframe the way the IEP team talks about strengths. Being apathetic means that you dont care about your studies. Emphasizing strengths throughout this section as well as weaknesses not only sets a positive tone. Its interesting to me, that if you do an internet search, child strengths, and student strengths bring back two different lists. Many parents encourage kids to attend at least the first part of the IEP meeting. A: Students can use their strengths to pursue activities and interests that may help them reach their academic or career goals. Indiscipline 15. If there are student strengths examples that you would like to include for your student, make sure you add them on your own. Develop students intellectual humility by helping them to ask questions while thoughtfully evaluating evidence. Sam will use his creativity and interpersonal skills to develop and lead his peers in a class vocabulary game with 90% accuracy in three out of four weekly opportunities. Thank you for reading! Some common types of student strengths include: In this area, I would include skills such as processing, communication, reasoning, and attention. Fault has too much negativity attached to it. Name the goals and strategies you will use to improve the person's communication. When you sit down with an IEP team to start the planning process, it can be tempting to start with what a student cant do: She cant read yet. Copyright 2023 Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc. pursue an inclusive education for their child, from preschool to high school and beyond, collaborate with educators on their childs IEP, promote their childs access to the general curriculum, support their child as he or she develops friendships. Mind you, its a word I use in reference to myself all the time. Being cooperative means working well with others, both your peers and your superiors. Excerpted, How does your IEP team ensure that culturally and linguistically diverse families are welcomed, involved, and able to make the most informed decisions? (You can also try a fun hands-on activity to help identify your childs strengths.). It was self-preservation, and Im an enabler (raised by alcoholics). Additionally, developing a good support system of friends, family or mentors can be helpful in helping students identify areas of improvement and commit to working on them. 4.7. Even if the student strengths seem silly or out of place, they may be meaningful for some students. Character strengths are the positive qualities individuals haveas reflected in their thoughts, feelings, and actionsthat promote the well-being of themselves and others. Key points to reflection when writing strengths-based ieps: How do charter strengths improve academic performance? Hopefully, I have covered all of these areas and categories. really? For example, some students may display a natural ability for competitive sports such as running, jumping, or throwing. Maybe you want to jot these down for the IEP meeting. IDEA is pretty clear about a students strengths being considered as part of IEP development. PDF Writing Strength-Based IEPs for Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Her/His __________ skills are a strength, as are her/his __________ skills. 447 0 obj <> endobj Use phrases such as excels at, does at grade/age level, or does well to describe student competencies, and use these strengths to inform the IEP teams approach when writing goals and objectives for student growth. You can also learn more about how to develop SMART IEP goals, and then help steer the IEP team to include strengths in at least a few of your childs goals. As I state in that article, I was a liar as a child. Sign in to save, rate, and comment on your favorite Greater Good in Education practices. Character strengths are the positive qualities individuals haveas reflected in their thoughts, feelings, and actionsthat promote the well-being of themselves and others. willingness to forgive and give people second chances, Persistent in reaching his desired outcome, He has an excellent memory and excels in completing tasks when given clear lists or flowcharts, Is curious about the world around him/her, Fun fashion sense as a means of expression, Sensory/tactile learner, multi-sensory learner, Eager to learn when refocused consistently, When regulated M is a sweet considerate child, Thinks out-of-the-box to find unconventional and creative solutions, exercises great emotional restraint when pushed to his limits, Is empathetic toward the needs of others even if he cannot express, Consistently processes information and responds, even though it is a delayed response, ability to verbalize when he is upset or dysregulated, may appear disinterested in class or not paying attention, but when questioned can regurgitate back the information that was just presented, May be impulsive, but once regulated can usually identify the situation and trigger with great accuracy, Can solve equations in his head, but may show frustration at having to show work, Can adapt to changes in daily schedule with proper warning and notification and explanation, strong desire to do well and please others, is able to set realistic, achievable goals for herself, Is able to and will ask for help when needed, will raise a hand and wait patiently to be called on, recognizes and respects the personal space of others, can do 4/5/6 volleys in a 2-way conversation, can verbalize when being teased/bullied and respond appropriately, will accept unsolicited adult assistance/help without resistance, Learns material best when moving around, gross motor movement, Likes to ride his/her bike, skateboard, and/or other self-powered personal vehicles, Likes to exercise and will initiate independently, Can follow instructions/rules for games such as (give examples), participates in (community activity/sports) and elaborate, Is aware and will be safe in the following setting (elaborate) and will respond appropriately, Can act appropriately around a baby or younger child, Enjoys working independently or in groups, is persistent in carrying out assignments or activities, Understands sarcasm, enjoys telling jokes, Possesses a sense of personal responsibility, Has strong opinions about controversial topics and is able to verbalize them, Marches to the beat of a different drummer, Handles stressful events well (e.g. Herbackground is in Human Development and Family Studies, and she is passionate aboutproviding individualized and meaningful treatment for each child and their family. Too Blunt 11. Student weaknesses can vary considerably from person to person, but some common examples include difficulty concentrating, procrastination, poor time management skills and a lack of motivation. My lying was treated as a character flaw, and it took me many years to realize that I am a good person. However, some of the general strengths for learners include being knowledgeable about different topics and facts, understanding different subjects such as math or biology easily, having a great visual memory, and learning new materials quickly. blog, website, Facebook); uses appropriately, Has several his/her own favorite movies or TV shows that he/she likes to talk about and can do so without manipulating the conversation, Loves learning new things; will seek out knowledge. Strengths-based ieps allow teachers and parents to identify student strengths and use them as a tool for success. Being disruptive is a weakness that can affect both your progress and the advancement of others. Jenny is helpful in class and eager to learn new concepts. Includes strengths, weaknesses, interests & preferences. I prefer the term areas of need. I believe, on a subconscious level, that we too often associate the term weakness with the term fault. Reasoning: A child who is good at reasoning is often able to understand and think through complex problems. Proper nutrition, exercise, and adequate rest are also important components of academic success. THANK YOU for focusing the conversation on strengths and needs vs. weaknesses and deficits!!!! Self Criticism 3. To do this, IEP teams often need to gather more information. Joint attention is the ability to attend to what youre told, with another person. A student strength list is a tool to be used by an IEP team during the development of student success goals for an iep. His/her positive work habits show that he/she _______________, can _______________, and _______________. Student strengths are more effective when they have specific behaviors that can be seen, heard, or otherwise observed by others. When working towards an IEP goal, he is curious about new material and is open to new ideas. Maybe they are a great helper in the classroom, a friend to all, or have a stand-out-talent in music class. Click on a star to rate it! Enroll in one of our online courses for educators! A process for helping students generate purposeful projects or endeavors, Students practice kindness to increase their happiness, Students look for the good in others by acknowledging each others strengths. During an IEP meeting, focus on the strengths during the profile portion. Check out this guide to see the top 13 student strengths and student weaknesses contributing to academic success! These register items are grouped into six different categories: Attitude, Academic Skills, Executive Operate Skills, Social Key, Car Skills, press Sensory Data Special. It also gives any new coming team members some ideas of what motivates the student. Understood is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization (tax identification number 83-2365235). 1. As always, if you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to reach out. Not some resource list you found on the internet. One student may be particularly strong in curiosity, love of learning, and perseverance, while another may be strongest in kindness, humility, and fairness; yet another could have zest, social-emotional intelligence, and teamwork as top strengths. Do they always make you laugh? Task Avoidance IEP Goals: Special Education Strategies for Success, I Have Who Has: The Classroom Game for All Ages to Boost Learning and Engagement, Unlocking Potential: The Power of a Strength-Based Approach for Students with Disabilities, Chooses 3-4 student strengths from the student strength list, Writes a narrative about each student strength picked, Includes behavior(s) that student demonstrates when using student strength, Student's family member(s) or an other person involved in student's life can endorse student strengths to strengthen them, Student identifies his own student strengths, if appropriate to student's abilities, Shares student empowerment strategies with other professionals who work with the student, Student's team members choose student strengths to use in student success goals, If student is working on student transition goals, student's team may want to include student strengths with industry or university partnerships. Teachers can use a variety of strategies to identify and develop student strengths, such as observation, testing, interviews or surveys. When student strengths are utilized, students will become more active and enthusiastic participants in their educations. The team not only identifies strengths, but leverages them to help address weaknesses. Being easily distracted means that you can find it hard to focus on the task at hand. Maybe they are as sweet as can be? Your Child's Strengths | 127 Student Strength Examples to Swipe for Students should also reach out to mentors or tutors for guidance and advice when needed. I hate seeing kids punished for this, or for it to be treated as a character flaw. Make sure you focus on the w hole child and not just academics. However, by being determined to succeed you can stop small setbacks from impacting your ability to achieve over the long term. The list of student strengths for IEP writing can be endless! Ability to interpret and analyze data and information. They must also develop proper study habits such as taking notes during lectures and studying regularly. This student will receive 60 minute tutoring sessions three days a week before school. Character strengths Is honest and trustworthy Is caring, kind, and empathetic Helps others Shows loyalty Works hard Is resilient Shows independence Cooperates Social strengths Shares, takes turns, and can compromise Puts effort into making friends and keeping them Is a good listener Accepts differences in others Asks for help when needed By doing so, students can become more confident and successful on the playground. People are just people, and all people have faults and shortcomings, but all of us are born with a basic goodness.. Reading skills, writing skills, math or science skills, preferred subject area excellence, or study habits. Word choice. But, it was not because I am of low moral character. Julie Rawe is the special projects editor at Understood. Some examples of social-emotional skills include resilience, problem solver, positivity, optimism, pleasant and easygoing, adapting easily to unexpected changes, flexible thinking, and creativity. Each student has a unique profile of strengths, with some strengths being more developed and others less so, regardless of how they compare to other students. Character Strengths for Students | Greater Good In Education But under stress, we draw a blank. Student Strengths And Weakness Iep Teaching Resources | TPT