The IEP—A Comprehensive Exploration

The IEP—A Comprehensive Exploration

Using the School’s Data for Effective Advocacy
$49.00
Key Features Image

Key Features

  • Parent-Friendly Downloadable Course Clear, easy-to-follow PDF presentation designed for families navigating the IEP process.
  • Use the School’s Data to Advocate Learn how to request, interpret, and compare the school’s data to ensure your child’s IEP accurately reflects their needs and provides them with a free and appropriate public education.
  • Know Your Rights Understand the IDEA’s requirements for all components of your child’s IEP, including: Evaluations, measurable goals, service minutes, and progress monitoring.
  • Addressing Behaviors Through the IEP Learn how data drives all parts of the IEP. functional behavioral assessments (FBAs), behavior goals, and positive behavioral interventions.
  • Identify Denials of FAPE Recognize when missing data, inaccurate goals, or lack of services could result in a denial of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
  • Real-World Advocacy Tools Includes practical strategies for IEP meetings, Prior Written Notices (PWNs), and requesting data-driven changes.

Gain a parent-focused understanding of IDEA and your student’s right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). This downloadable course explains evaluations, IEPs, procedural safeguards, and advocacy strategies, enabling you to confidently secure the services and support you need.

Empower yourself to take a data-driven approach to IEP advocacy.

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents are equal members of the IEP team—but often families do not understand how to meaningfully participate simply because they don’t know how to request, access and understand the school’s data. This course changes that.

The IEP……..A Comprehensive Exploration: Using the School’s Data for Effective Advocacy walks you through how to request, read and interpret the academic, functional, and behavioral data schools rely on when creating your child’s IEP. You’ll learn how to connect the dots between your student’s present levels, goals, and services—and how to hold schools accountable when the data doesn’t align.

Developed by experienced advocates Susan Bruce and Kelly Hetzer, this course draws directly from IDEA regulations and U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) guidance. It simplifies complex procedural and legal concepts into clear, actionable steps that help parents advocate effectively.

In this course, you’ll learn:

  • What IDEA Really Requires How data must drive every IEP decision, what FAPE truly guarantees, and how schools are obligated to measure meaningful progress.
  • Accessing “Raw Data” How to request evaluation results, therapy logs, and progress monitoring data before any IEP meeting—and why it’s essential for meaningful participation.
  • Writing and Reviewing Goals How to determine whether IEP goals are measurable, realistic, and tied to accurate baseline data.
  • Progress Monitoring What valid data collection should look like, how to verify accuracy, and how to compare reports to the school’s own numbers.
  • Evaluations, Reevaluations & FBAs When to request an evaluation, Functional Behavioral Assessment, or service adjustment based on student progress or regression.
  • Recognizing Denial of FAPE How to identify when missing data, vague goals, or inadequate services amount to a violation—and how to document it effectively.
  • Eligibility Decisions What to do when a school claims your child “no longer qualifies” for services and how to challenge that determination.
  • Extended School Year (ESY) How to use data to demonstrate regression, recoupment, or critical instructional need so your child receives the services they’re entitled to beyond the standard school year.

Who is this for?

This course is designed for parents and guardians who want to:

  • Understand and use school-collected data to advocate for stronger IEPs.
  • Identify when progress reports or goals are inaccurate or incomplete.
  • Learn how to make effective written requests for data.
  • Navigate complex situations such as FBAs, BIPs, and discipline under IDEA.
  • Build confidence in IEP meetings and become a meaningful participant.

What you’ll get:

  • A ready-to-download PDF presentation written in plain, parent-friendly language.
  • Step-by-step guidance on reading and interpreting data.
  • Real-world examples and advocacy templates for requesting records, FBAs, and adequate PWNs.
  • Voiceover/Zoom video walkthrough included for a guided learning experience.

At Project Accelerate, our mission is to give parents the tools and knowledge they need to ensure their child receives the Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) guaranteed by law.