What principle underlies person-centered planning?

Person-centered planning is fundamentally based on the principle of focusing on the individual's preferences, strengths, and needs. This approach empowers individuals by actively involving them in the planning process for their own educational, personal, and social development. It emphasizes the importance of understanding what the individual values and what they aspire to achieve, which leads to more personalized and meaningful outcomes.

By centering the process on the individual, it allows for a tailored plan that takes into account their unique abilities, interests, and circumstances. This is essential in special education, where recognizing each student's distinct profile can significantly enhance their learning experience and promote greater engagement.

In contrast, other approaches, such as adopting a one-size-fits-all strategy or focusing solely on standardized testing scores, ignore the individuality of each student and may not address their specific needs effectively. Similarly, prioritizing teacher preferences does not align with the essence of person-centered planning, which is meant to put the individual's voice and choices at the forefront.