As a special education teacher, writing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) is one of the most critical tasks you’ll do throughout the school year. An IEP outlines a student’s strengths, weaknesses, and goals and serves as a legal document that provides direction for their education.
However, as a special education teacher, finding the time to write IEPs can be challenging. If you don’t have a dedicated planning period during the school day, it is even more difficult. But fear not; there are several ways to manage IEP writing without compromising your work-life balance.
One way to make the most of your time is by maximizing your lunch break. Consider bringing your laptop to a quiet room or spot in the building to work on IEPs while you eat your lunch. One of the challenges of staying in your classroom is that it is easy to get distracted by other people who know you do not have children in the room or by all of the other things that you need to get done. Having a quiet spot to work (hello, library!) can be a game changer! Alternatively, bring printed copies of the IEPs you need to work on, along with your marking pen, and head outside to work on them during your break.
Collaboration with other teachers can also be incredibly beneficial when it comes to IEP writing. Consider meeting with other special education teachers in your school to discuss IEPs. By working together, you can share ideas, strategies, and resources that can make the process more efficient. You can also delegate duties such as data collection, goal development, and progress monitoring.
There are several technology tools available to special education teachers that can streamline the IEP writing process. Consider using web-based IEP software, which allows you to enter data, generate reports, and collaborate with other team members. You can also use speech-to-text software to dictate your notes instead of typing them out. Using digital data collection tools and questionnaires can also make it easier and faster to gather the information you need to write your students’ IEPs.
Here is a short snippet from one of the trainings inside of TII membership about having an organized IEP process:
The membership also provides guidance on keeping parents involved, which can be challenging for everyone!
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!
There is a lot of discussion about IEP goal banks and whether they offer the individualization that is needed in an IEP. We believe the answer is that they do, because there are goals that speak to what your student needs now. The Intentional IEP Membership comes with over 13,000 pre-written goals that have been crafted by experienced special education teachers. It is a great way to save time and still create amazing, individualized plans for each of your students. Learn more about the Intentional IEP Membership here!
Get access to all of your IEP writing needs when you join The Intentional IEP here or by clicking the image above!
If you have times throughout the day when you have five or 10 minutes between having students, use that time to get something done for an IEP. It could be adding a goal, jotting down an accommodation or modification, or sending out a Google Forms data collection email to a general ed teacher. Whatever you can get done during those spare moments, do it! Every moment is precious when your planning times are non-existent.
Though it’s essential to avoid overworking and burnout, carving out some time during evenings or weekends can be helpful for IEP writing. Consider dedicating a few hours on a Saturday or Sunday morning to work on IEPs, or setting aside some time in the evenings after school. Try to limit the amount of time you spend on them outside of school, though. Burnout is real, and if you’re constantly working on paperwork, you will get burned out.
If your school district permits working from home to plan, this could be an excellent option for you to tackle IEP writing. Working from home provides flexibility, eliminates distractions, and allows you to work at your own pace. Check into your district’s policies regarding working from home because it’s a great option for getting IEP writing done.
Writing IEPs is a crucial task that requires time and energy. As a special education teacher, finding time to manage IEP writing can be a challenge, especially when you don’t have a dedicated planning period. However, by maximizing your lunch breaks, collaborating with other teachers, utilizing technology tools, and carving out time during evenings or weekends, you can make IEP writing more manageable. Remember, overworking and burnout should be avoided, and time management is key to maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
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