Writing high-quality, compliant IEPs is one of the most important and time-consuming responsibilities for special education teams.
To better understand how Polaris could streamline the process, a time study was conducted during the annual IEP review of a fourth-grade student with autism. The study compared the school's existing assessment and IEP writing process with a workflow using n2y benchmark assessments and Polaris.
The results showed substantial time savings across every stage of the IEP process while maintaining high-quality, data-informed documentation.
This time study followed the annual IEP renewal of a fourth-grade student in Ohio with autism. The student had identified needs across English/language arts, mathematics, social skills, communication, behaviour, gross motor and fine motor skills, received instruction using a modified core curriculum based on extended standards, and participated in alternate assessment.
The challenge
Developing compliant, meaningful IEPs requires educators to gather assessment data, write present levels, create SMART goals, identify accommodations, and complete extensive documentation.
This process is essential, but it can take many hours to complete, reducing the time educators have available for instruction and student support.
The goal
The objective was to compare the school's existing IEP development process with Polaris to understand whether teachers could create high-quality, compliant IEPs more efficiently without compromising quality.
The solution
The student's IEP was written using two approaches:
- The school's existing assessment and IEP writing process
- n2y benchmark assessments and the Polaris IEP development system
The time required for each stage of the process was measured and compared.
The impact
Across every stage of the IEP process, Polaris significantly reduced the time required while providing data-driven guidance for educators.
Task | Existing process | Polaris |
|---|---|---|
Administer benchmarks and assessments | 8 hours | 1 hour 45 minutes |
Write present levels | 1 hour | 10 mins |
Write SMART goals/objectives | 4 hours | 30 minutes |
Complete compliant IEP components | 1 hour | 20 minutes |
Total time | 14 hours | 2 hours, 45 minutes |
Total time saved: 11 hours, 15 minutes
Faster assessments
Benchmark assessments were engaging, quick to administer, and provided the data needed to support the rest of the IEP development process.
Quicker present levels
Benchmark data automatically generated a collective summary that helped write compliant present levels in just 10 minutes instead of an hour.
SMART goals in less time
Rather than starting from scratch, educators received SMART goal and objective suggestions based on assessment data, helping identify appropriate areas for student progression.
More efficient IEP development
Polaris also supported the remaining components of a compliant IEP by providing:
- Accommodation and modification suggestions
- Guidance for improving accessibility across environments and materials
- A resource library for IEP teams and families
Teacher confidence
The time savings were matched by positive feedback from educators and families.
"I actually just helped write an IEP, and Polaris generated the next steps and goals. [The] parent said it was the best IEP she's ever had, and her kid's been on an IEP since preschool. That was a huge buy-in for my teachers to be like, 'Oh yeah! And it didn't take me eight hours to write the IEP!'"
Benefits seen with Polaris
- Reduced IEP development time from 14 hours to 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Saved 11 hours, 15 minutes on a single IEP
- Faster benchmark assessments
- Automatically generated compliant present levels
- Data-driven SMART goal recommendations
- Accommodation and modification guidance
- Resource library for educators and families
- More time for teaching and supporting students
Polaris helps educators spend less time on paperwork and more time supporting students
This time study demonstrates how Polaris streamlines every stage of IEP development. By combining benchmark assessment data with guided IEP writing, SMART goal recommendations and compliance support, Polaris helps educators create high-quality IEPs in a fraction of the time.
Ready to streamline your IEP process?
Learn how Polaris can help your team save time while creating high-quality, compliant IEPs.
