IEP Translator
Upload an IEP, 504, FBA, BIP, evaluation, or progress report. Beacon breaks it down in plain language.
When to Use This
Use IEP Translator when you have a sped document and want to understand it without spending an hour cross-referencing acronyms. Works on any of 9 document types: IEP, 504 plan, progress report, FBA, BIP, evaluation, PWN, transition plan or a generic fallback if Beacon can't classify cleanly. Beacon reads the file once and then discards it. It does not keep the original filename, and it does not pull out your child's legal name, date of birth, address, phone or email. It saves the breakdown: the goals, services, accommodations, key dates and the other parts of the document it explains, so you can come back to it. Beacon works out what kind of document it is, finds the goals, services and accommodations and explains each section in plain language.
How It Works
Upload the Document
PDF, JPG, PNG or HEIC up to 4 MB per file. Multi-page PDFs are read page-by-page so a 30-page IEP works the same as a 3-page progress report.
Beacon Tells You What It Is
First pass detects the document type (IEP, 504, FBA, etc.) and how sure it is. If it is not sure, Beacon asks you to confirm instead of guessing.
Plain-Language Breakdown
Beacon translates the dense legal/clinical sections into parent-language paragraphs you can actually use: what this goal means, why this accommodation is here, what's missing if anything.
Keep Last Year's Version Beside This One
Upload last year's IEP after this year's, and Beacon offers to link them as this year's and last year's versions. You can see what changed.
A Real Example
Marcus uploads his daughter's new IEP from the May meeting. He'd uploaded last year's IEP a few months ago. Beacon links the versions automatically:
| When | Name | Type | Chain |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-10 | 2024-25 IEP | IEP | The first one on file |
| 2026-03-15 | Spring '25 Progress Report | Progress Report | Filed under the 2024-25 IEP |
| 2026-05-15 | 2025-26 IEP | IEP | Replaces the 2024-25 IEP |
What Beacon Auto-Knows
- The document type (one of 9) and how sure it is.
- Goals, services, accommodations, present-levels and key dates (structured per type).
- Which uploads belong to the same child, and which version replaced which.
- Your plan and how many IEP Translator uses you have left.
What Discuss With Beacon Adds
- Beacon attaches the breakdown to your chat so you can ask follow-up questions without re-pasting.
- Compare this year's IEP to last year's: 'What changed in the goals?'
- Draft parent-voiced responses: 'help me write a PWN response refusing the placement change'.
- Spot what's missing: 'should there be a behavior plan referenced here?'
Try These With Beacon
“Compare last year's IEP to this year's. What changed?”
Beacon compares the linked versions and reports goal-by-goal differences: which goals were retired, which were added, which had measurable changes (e.g., 'reading fluency target moved from 60 wpm to 80 wpm'). It flags anything that looks like silent service-minute reductions.
“Are these accommodations enough for a 3rd grader with sensory needs?”
Beacon lists each accommodation, names the need it addresses and flags categories that look thin (e.g., 'transitions and noise are covered; food and unstructured-time aren't'). It doesn't tell you what to demand; it shows you the map.
“Help me write a parent-voiced PWN response.”
Beacon drafts a letter referencing the specific IEP page or section that supports your position. Tone is firm and parent-voiced, not legalese. It includes the federal-law anchor (IDEA, FAPE) only when it strengthens the case.
“What rights questions should I ask at the next meeting?”
Beacon picks 3-5 high-leverage questions tied to the gaps it sees in this specific document. Generic IEP-rights checklists are easy to find; this list is anchored to your IEP.
“Translate the 'present levels' section into one paragraph I can show grandparents.”
Beacon rewrites the dense educational-jargon present-levels into one parent-voiced paragraph. No acronyms unless you ask for them spelled out. Useful for family-meeting prep.