EmbraceIEP vs GoIDEA
EmbraceIEP
embraceeducation.comGoIDEA
gosolutions.comSide by side
| Figure | EmbraceIEP | GoIDEA |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · IEP Management Software | 7.5 (#5) | 7.1 (#11) |
| Spec score · Special Education Software | 7.5 (#8) | 7.1 (#14) |
| Company history | Embrace says it was founded in 1999 as A+ IEPs Database Design Studio and joined the Everway family in 2024. | Go Solutions says it has partnered with school districts across the United States since 1994. |
| Founded | 1999 | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Troy, Illinois, United States | Lansing, Michigan, United States |
| Implementation | The company says implementation generally lasts 2–4 weeks, depending on district data availability and training availability. | The maker says its onboarding uses a 12-step process and typically takes 2–3 weeks, depending on how quickly the district provides the needed information. |
| Integrations | The product supports LDAP and SAML single sign-on, and the company says it works with Infinite Campus, PowerSchool, eSchool, TylerSIS, Jupiter Ed, TeacherEase, and Skyward through SFTP or API connections. | GoIDEA works with a district's Student Information System to keep document information current, and the maker says it integrates with GoClaim for Medicaid billing workflows. |
| Parent access | The optional Parent Portal lets districts share IEP and 504 documents during meetings and collect electronic signatures; the page says it is a free addition to EmbraceIEP and Embrace504. | The maker says secure parent portals let families view finalized IEP documents, receive meeting invitations, and sign forms digitally. |
| Purpose | EmbraceIEP helps school districts create state- and federally compliant special education documentation and manage IEP processes. | GoIDEA is web-based IEP software designed to help school districts manage special education IEPs and automate the IEP process. |
| Support | Live Customer Success Specialists answer calls and emails Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. CST, with after-hours support also available. | Go Solutions offers support by phone at 800-260-2544 and by email at [email protected]. |
Plans
In their own words
EmbraceIEP
EmbraceIEP is paid web software for school districts and cooperatives managing special-education documentation and IEP processes. Founded in 1999, it provides state-specific fields, alerts, reminder emails and due-date reminders for compliance tracking. A goal builder prompts for timeframe, behavior, condition and criterion when staff formulate SMART goals. Users can run built-in compliance reports, modify them or save custom reports. Multiple people can edit different fields of one IEP form simultaneously. The optional Parent Portal lets districts share IEP and 504 documents during meetings and collect electronic signatures; it is described as a free addition. Documents can be translated into dozens of languages without charge, with customizable translations. LDAP and SAML single sign-on are supported, alongside listed student-information-system connections through SFTP or API. Pricing follows a district-specific proposal after a free demonstration and depends on student population. Text fields are limited to 65,000 characters.
GoIDEA
GoIDEA is web-based IEP software for school districts managing special education programs. It provides configurable templates, workflows, and reports so districts can adapt the system to their own requirements. Core tools include staff email notifications, progress-monitoring graphs, class lists, progress-report summaries, evaluation reports, and student transfers between GoIDEA districts. Parents or guardians can receive documents for electronic signature, including separate copies for households that need to sign independently. Secure parent portals let families view finalized IEP documents, receive meeting invitations, and sign forms digitally. Add-on modules cover Section 504 management, staff projections, RTI/PBIS tracking, and English Learners. GoIDEA connects with a district Student Information System and integrates with GoClaim for Medicaid billing workflows. The maker describes encryption, secure authentication, and access controls, and says it handles records under FERPA and HIPAA. Onboarding follows a 12-step process that typically takes 2–3 weeks. Pricing is on request.