What you'll accomplish
By the end of this guide, you'll have Claude Pro set up and configured to help you draft complete IEP sections — PLAAFP, goals, accommodations, and more — in a fraction of the time it takes to write from scratch. You'll work through your first complete IEP section together and have template prompts ready for your entire caseload.
What you'll need
- A Claude Pro account at claude.ai ($20/month)
- Student assessment data (no real names — initials or "Student A" works fine)
- Your district's IEP format (know what sections your software requires)
- Time needed: 30 minutes first setup, 10-15 minutes per IEP section thereafter
- Cost: $20/month (Claude Pro) — cancel anytime
How-To Guide: Full IEP Writing with Claude Pro
Step 1: Create Your Claude Account
Open claude.ai in your browser. Click "Sign up" in the upper right. Create an account with your email (use a personal email, not your school district email — this keeps student information in your personal account, not district-managed systems). Upgrade to Claude Pro by clicking your account icon → "Upgrade to Pro" → enter payment information.
What you should see: After upgrading, you'll see a "Pro" badge next to your name and access to Claude's more powerful model with longer document handling.
Troubleshooting: If your school email blocks Claude.ai, use your personal email. Never enter real student names or IDs into any AI tool.