IEP Teams and IEP Implementation: How to

One of the major difficulties for IEP Teams is making sure that everyone is on the same page about students’ goals and accommodations. We have all felt the tension of trying to keep everything and everyone up to date using a method that doesn’t force us to run papers back and forth from folder to folder, person to person, and eventually to the shredder.

Because you’re a special education teacher, you are probably familiar with the classic red folder that becomes home to all the information you need for your students… and it can work – but sometimes we end up with more paperwork than we bargained for.

Today, we will discuss a few strategies that may be helpful in ensuring that your students’ needs are being met, that keeps all IEP team members on the same page, and that save you – the special education teacher – time.


Start by making sure everyone is on the same page.

The goal is to minimize the extra work it takes to make sure all our students are being served well, while keeping everyone on the same page and providing easy access to information. In many districts, administration expects both special education teachers and general education teachers to have a certain level of responsibility and accountability regarding student goals and accommodations (and most times you’ll find this written into the IEP as well).

This seems to be an effective model in which general education teachers are required to stay up to date on student information and are held responsible for knowing the information necessary to teach their students well. This also places responsibility on the special education teachers to make sure that information is simple to find and easy to understand.

The relationship between teachers then becomes one of support – where special education teachers can answer questions and help brainstorm.

Simple to find. Easy to understand. So how is this accomplished?!


Here is a short snippet from one of the trainings inside of TII membership about implementation of the IEP:

If you’re looking for more specifics on IEP like general education collaboration and functional behavior assessments – you’re in the right place!

You can join The Intentional IEP to gain access to over 150+ different IEP related trainings, and access to our IEP Goal Bank.  Click the image above to join!


What IS the best way to share accommodations?

Though many schools still use physical paper to keep everyone up to date on accommodations, this method may not be the most effective way – it all depends on your IEP team. Having to wade through mountains of paperwork for multiple students is daunting to say the least… and keeping that mountain updated? That can be a full-time job.

If you are still on a paper system (and even if you’re not), it may be helpful to consider providing teachers with the “at a glance sheet.” This sheet has accommodations, goals, and general information for the student. It is much less intimidating to read through! Oftentimes, this information, followed up by a verbal check in with the teacher at some point can be so effective in making sure accommodations are being met.

Sometimes, IEP information can be shared electronically through the district’s system. Many teachers access all the information through Infinite Campus, Synergy, Power School, One Drive, or the like, If this isn’t available where you’re teaching, there’s still hope…

Download this IEP Snapshot when you join The Intentional IEP here or by clicking the image above.

Using Google Suites

IEP Teams and IEP Implementation How ToUsing Google suites has provided a really simple workaround for so many teachers. Google documents and google spreadsheets update in real time, and you can decide who has access to which file. This is a perfect way to share updated information without having to run all over the school switching out folders.

Many teachers are structuring this as follows: Create a google folder for a group of students needing accommodations. This could be by grade level or by subject level in the higher grades. Within that folder, you would create a page for each student (this could be the “at a glance” version as discussed earlier) and / or the full documentation. Then, all you have to do is share either the folder or the page with the teacher that needs that information.

Anytime you need to update student information, all you have to do is open the document, make the changes, and send a quick alert to the teacher that there has been an update. Acknowledgement of receipt can be as simple as a read receipt on the email or a signed document as a follow up.

    • It should go without saying, however – that using any digital platform to store student information should be used with lots of care and confidentiality. Protect your students and their information. Make sure any digital website you are using to store information is safe, secure, and kept confidential.

In talking with many IEP teams, one of the most common struggles in communication between special education teachers and general education teachers has to do with updates and implementation. No matter your strategy, finding a way to highlight updates as well as provide support for practical application is a must!

It is also so important to remember that if you are using your own digital sharing system for accommodation information, students’ privacy needs to be protected. At the heart of the issue is finding effective ways of communication for your team and your school. The best method is not a one-size-fits-all method, and the best you can do is customize for your school situation and specific IEP teams.

 

 

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