New Year, New IEP Goals: Using LifeCourse Tools to Set Meaningful Intentions

Barbara Sanchez
Jan 13
2 min read

School grounds symbolizing the learning environment and the importance of supportive, inclusive education. — **January is about starting fresh but meaningful progress for our kids doesn’t come from resolutions. It comes from clarity and connection.**

Let’s talk about using Charting the LifeCourse tools to make sure your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) really reflects their vision for a good life.

Why This Matters

Question mark formed with stones on pebbled ground, symbolizing reflection on why education advocacy and school support decisions matter.

Too often, IEP goals become “checkbox goals” things to be measured, not lived.

This is the New IEP Goals LifeCourse Tools.

When we use LifeCourse principles, we start with values and identity:

What kind of life does my child want?
What roles do they want to play at home, in school, and in the community?

Practical Steps for Parents

Parents sitting with their child at a laptop, working together on learning activities and planning practical next steps for school support.

1. Revisit Your Child’s Vision

Print the *LifeCourse Trajectory Tool* (available [here](https://www.lifecoursetools.com/lifecourse-library/foundational-tools/)).
Sit together and ask:
“What’s one thing you want to learn or do this year?”
“What kind of day do you want to have at school?”
Capture “want” and “don’t want” examples on sticky notes—it helps turn feelings into visuals.

2. Align the IEP With the Vision

Review each current IEP goal:

Ask: “Does this help build a skill my child will actually use in daily life?”
For example, instead of “Increase fine‑motor control”, link it to “Use scissors to wrap a birthday gift for a friend.”

At your next IEP review, advocate with language like:

> “We’d like this goal reframed to connect with everyday participation skills.”