"Each student’s programme is effectively designed using an IEP to meet individual interests, needs and abilities. Students identify their interests and what learning needs they think they have. Learning goals and objectives are identified in partnership with the learning advisor and parents. Learning advisors link the goals to the essential learning areas and skills of the New Zealand Curriculum. They also work with the student to identify and plan appropriate projects and courses and to evaluate learning outcomes. This focus on individualised learning results in students who are highly motivated to achieve the goals and learning outcomes they helped to set in their IEPs."

- Education Review Office, 2006

In order to make the IEP for each student work properly there are three main functions which all key stakeholders - students, caregivers and learning advisors - need to have involvement with.

The Individual Education PLAN

• The IEP (individual education plan) is developed in consultation with students, parents and learning advisors
• The plan is the driver for programme planning - it helps to decide what Learner Directed Experiences a student will engage with, and what balance of courses the stduent will enroll in.
• The plan reflects and is underpinned by The New Zealand Curriculum, but it does not drive our learning programmes.
• Students need to plan programmes where they are exposed to powerful thoughts and processes derived from the New Zealand Curriculum.
• Learning agility, problem solving, innovation and creativity are fostered.
• We encourage teamwork, communication skills, citizenship and global awareness.
• The key competencies found in the NZ Curriculum - thinking, using language, symbols and texts, participating and contributing, relating to others and managing self - are important, and the plan seeks to ensure opportunities to develop in each of these areas is catered for.

The IEP Meeting

• The IEP meeting will take place once a term at the very least.
• All parents, students and learning advisers must attend IEP meetings.
• Course learning advisors may be called upon to attend an IEP meeting where it is necessary.
• Successes and challenges are discussed at the IEP Meeting.
• Programme balance, including the learning covered by Learner Directed Experiences (LDEs), balance of curriculum covered in courses, and readiness for higher level learning is covered.
• Notes will be made in our Learning Management System - Inquire.
• Qualifications and career pathways should be discussed at most IEP meetings.

Setting a Qualifications Goal

Every year students set a qualification goal with their parents and homebase learning advisor. (Year 11 - 13 students must set a goal, Year 9 & 10 can if it is appropriate). Your homebase learning advisor will take you through this process in your first Individual Education Plan meeting.

This goal is important, and you should revisit the goal throughout the year - making sure you're on target. Students set goals which are high, but realistic, and it is the responsibility of everyone to help them achieve their goals. At Unlimited we aim to have 100% of our students meet their Qualification Goal each year.

The one-to-one (1:1) meeting

• The 1:1 meeting is a dedicated half hour per week set aside for homebase learning advisers.
• Parents have less involvement with this aspect of the Individual Education Plan than the other functions.
• Students and learning advisors are both responsible for making this meeting time effective, enjoyable and productive.
• The meeting will look and feel quite different depending on its purpose.
• Here are some things you and your LA might discuss:
  • relationships;
  • what you’ve done over the week;
  • progress you’ve made in your inquiry or LDE;
  • classes;
  • new learning;
  • your digital portfolio;
  • issues;
  • your IEP goals;
  • what support can be offered to you;
  • NCEA;
  • careers
• You might get asked to write or record some reflections or statements about your work and projects into Inquire.
• You and your LA can agree to use this time in the best possible way. It helps to remember to turn up to your meeting on time as it is rare for students to get such a focused period of time at a high school.
• Your LA will schedule your time at the beginning of each half-term. Your time may stay the same throughout the year, or it may change as your schedule changes.