The Intentional IEP Podcast

Writing standards-aligned IEP goals can feel overwhelming, especially when you've been told to align goals to grade-level standards without being shown what that actually looks like in practice.In this episode, we're breaking down a simple framework for aligning IEP goals to state standards while keeping them individualized and appropriate for each student's needs.Stephanie covers:• Why standards-aligned does not mean copying and pasting a state standard into an IEP goal• How to use baseline data, grade-level standards, and skill gaps to identify the next appropriate step for a student• How prerequisite skills can help you create meaningful goals that move students toward grade-level expectationsIf you've ever wondered how to balance standards, data, and individual student needs, this episode will help you write goals that are aligned, purposeful, and focused on real progress.Not a member? Join Today — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources:https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/https://www.theintentionaliep.com/https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliephttps://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

You sit down to plan your week, look at your caseload, and immediately feel the pressure. Communication goals. Reading fluency. Fine motor. Math facts. Social skills. Behavior. All of it matters. But how are you supposed to work on everything without burning out?In this episode Stephanie tackles the question every special educator asks at some point: How do we actually prioritize IEP goals when time, staffing, and student needs are pulling us in ten different directions?The truth is you cannot target every goal at once. And that is not failure. It is strategy. Prioritizing the right goals at the right time is what moves you from survival mode to impact mode.In this episode Stephanie covers:• How to identify and sequence foundational skills that unlock other IEP goals• Simple systems like task boxes, team communication, and shared goal awareness to create consistency• A practical classroom rotation model to maximize limited time and focus on high impact prioritiesPrioritizing IEP goals is not about doing less. It is about doing what matters most first. You are not failing your students because you cannot hit every goal every day.Check out the IEP Matrix: https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-iep-matrix/Learn how to use IEP Work Bins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um2CoF6KaQwNot a member? Join Today — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources:https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/https://www.theintentionaliep.com/https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliephttps://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

In this episode, Stephanie shares the books she returns to again and again — resources that have helped her understand IEPs, advocate confidently, partner with schools, and support children with special needs in real and meaningful ways. Top 6 Books: The Intentional IEP BookThe Special Needs School Survival GuideParents and Professionals Partnering for Children with Disabilities: The Dance That MattersWrightslaw: All About IEPsYour Special Education Rights: What Your School District Isn’t Telling YouThe Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed

One short paragraph can make or break an IEP. And yet impact statements are often rushed, copied forward, or treated like filler.In this episode Stephanie breaks down IEP impact statements in a way that actually makes them useful, meaningful, and legally sound. You’ll learn what an impact statement really is, why it matters so much, and how to write one that clearly connects a student’s disability to their educational needs.We cover:What an IEP impact statement is (and what it is not)Why impact statements are the bridge between eligibility and servicesThe exact data you need before you start writingSimple sentence starters and plug and play templates you can reuseReal world examples that show what strong impact statements look likeWhere impact statements belong in the IEPYou’ll also hear reflection prompts to help you evaluate whether your current impact statements actually explain why the rest of the IEP exists.This episode is perfect for special education teachers, case managers, and IEP team members who want to move beyond compliance language and write statements that truly reflect the student sitting in front of them.If this episode helped bring clarity, share it with a teammate or a newer teacher who’s still figuring out how all the IEP pieces fit together.Not a member? Join Today — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources:https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/https://www.theintentionaliep.com/https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliephttps://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

Stephanie breaks down LRE and why most of what we assume about placement is wrong. LRE isn’t about keeping students in general education or giving “less support.” It’s about creating the environment where each student can make real progress with the supports they need.In this episode, Stephanie covers:What LRE really means and why one-size-fits-all placement doesn’t workThe LRE continuum, from general education with supports to specialized programs, with real examplesHow placement decisions should be based on data, student needs, and meaningful growth—not convenience or fearBy the end of this episode, you’ll have clarity on how LRE works and practical insight to make confident, informed decisions that truly support students’ growth.And don’t forget — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources:https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/https://www.theintentionaliep.com/https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliephttps://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep