Writing truly strong IEPs is hard—even for the most experienced educators. A great IEP is about more than completing the paperwork; it's about feeling confident that the plans drive instruction, reflect meaningful data, and engage families and students as real partners in the process. Experts at Perkins have spent years refining and testing their approach to effective IEPs to ensure that students with the most complex needs are set up for success. Crafting Effective IEPs: Strategies for Success distills this research into a practical, repeatable approach for crafting IEPs that are meaningful, measurable, and responsive to each learner's unique needs.
Through carefully crafted modules and practical examples, this course is much more than an IEP 101 course; you will learn how to use student data not just to justify goals, but to clarify priorities, strengthen present levels, and make intentional choices about accommodations, services, and progress monitoring. The course emphasizes writing goals that are measurable and instructionally useful, helping teams move from vague and complex compliance language to goals that actually guide teaching and support student growth.
Because implementation is where IEPs succeed or fail, the course builds simple, durable systems for progress monitoring that multiple providers can use seamlessly. You'll practice collaboration moves that reduce friction and keep implementation steady—aligning prompt hierarchies, agreeing on shared rubrics, coordinating co-reporting, and partnering with families to build trust and momentum.
Throughout the course, you'll work with real-world examples and guided activities, culminating in the opportunity to revise or draft IEP content for a student you currently support (or a realistic sample student). By the end, you'll leave with the tools, language, and workflows to produce IEPs that are both compliant and impactful—plans that improve access, increase independence, and accelerate meaningful progress for the learners who need it most.
Crafting Effective IEPs: Strategies for Success empowers educators of all experience levels to design IEPs that promote access, independence, and meaningful learning outcomes for all students, especially those with the most complex needs.
Instructor: Jordynn Nowak, Assistant Education Director at Perkins School for the Blind
Group Discounts: Group discounts are available. Contact perkinsacademy@perkins.org for more information.
Purchase Orders: We are here to help. Email perkinsacademy@perkins.org for assistance with PO processing.
Course Credit: 15 Hours/PDPs, ACVREP Credits Available
Course Format: Online self-paced asynchronous
Course Length: Participants will have access to the course for 120 days from the date of enrollment.
Availability: This course is currently enrolling new participants.