While an inclusion classroom may be the least restrictive environment and proper placement for a child with an IEP, reporting and supporting still need to be done.
How does an inclusion teacher support and report on students in the classroom? We asked veteran teachers to share their wisdom and ideas with us on how to manage the data reporting required in the inclusion classroom effectively.
Supporting and Reporting: A Game Plan for the Inclusion Classroom
There is nothing easy about supporting and reporting on student progress in the inclusion classroom. However, the ideas below can help give you ideas for ways to meet your students’ needs while also documenting their gains and regressions.
Take Notes
Jotting down notes after class to document a student’s progress or regression is a quick and easy way to collect some of the reporting data that’s needed. These notes can then be compiled and used as part of the progress reports that go out each marking period.
Make the Most of Warm-Ups
When working with students who have IEPs in the inclusion classroom, make the most of the warm-up time at the beginning of each class. Have students work on their goal activities during this time in a way that’s similar to what other students are doing.
Communication is Key
Talking with the special ed teacher is key to helping support and report on students in the inclusion classroom.
Make sure that they know when their help is needed and ask for suggestions and ideas for helping the student succeed. If the student is beginning to struggle, make sure that the special ed liaison is also aware of that so that they can intervene and provide additional support as needed.
Work with a Co-Teacher/Para
When teaching in an inclusion classroom and being made responsible for documenting progress and data for students with IEPs, it is essential that there be a co-teacher or para to assist. When both teachers are able to work together to plan for and implement data progress monitoring, they are able to get a better understanding of a student’s actual levels of performance and abilities. Communication and a strong plan are key!
- PRO TIP: When you sit down to write the child’s upcoming IEP, get input from your paraprofessionals. They hold valuable information and observational data that you can use in the child’s Present Levels. Give our free para input form a try here.
Make Use of Technology
When teaching in an inclusion classroom and being made responsible for documenting progress and data for students with IEPs, it is essential that there be a co-teacher or para to assist. When both teachers are able to work together to plan for and implement data progress monitoring, they are able to get a better understanding of a student’s actual levels of performance and abilities. Communication and a strong plan are key!
- PRO TIP: When you sit down to write the child’s upcoming IEP, get input from your paraprofessionals. They hold valuable information and observational data that you can use in the child’s Present Levels. Give our free para input form a try here.
Make Use of Technology
For students who are absent or have different goals than most students, use digital quizzes and activities. This allows you to customize the tasks to fit your students’ needs while also ensuring that you have an easy-to-grade activity that will give you direct data to report for IEPs.
The best way to support and encourage your students is to develop a system that works for you in the classroom. While the ideas above can certainly be helpful, if they are not practical or easily implementable in your classroom, they are not the best strategies for you.
Talk with other inclusion teachers for ideas, ask the special education department for support, and do your best to make sure that all of your students know how much you care about them.
Teachers are dreamers, planners, and advocates. You donโt just see problemsโyou see possibilities. But bringing those possibilities to life takes more than heart. Inside The Intentional IEP, we give you the expert-led training, data-driven tools, and goal banks that lighten the paperwork load and sharpen your advocacyโso you can focus on progress, not just process.