In this power-up, we will examine what it means to participate effectively in the IEP process as a general education teacher. General education teachers are crucial to the successful development and implementation of Individualized Education Programs for students with disabilities, especially in an inclusion setting, and their input and feedback about a student’s progress should be central to the development of goals, accommodations, and modifications for the student. By the end of this power-up and application activity, you will be able to identify the information needed by the student’s team to encourage improved learning outcomes for all students and your role in ensuring that that information is shared in the appropriate setting.
Essential Questions:
Enter Essential Questions
What is the role of general education teachers in special education?
What kind of information is needed to develop an accurate IEP?
What does effective participation in an IEP meeting look and sound like?
Identify relevant information to provide necessary input about student progress at an IEP meeting
Respond to the following prompts (in writing or video):
What feedback did you receive about your provided information?
How could you participate more effectively in special education processes in the future?
What are some considerations you will keep in mind in the future to provide the necessary information to the special education team?
Review the learning outcome and consider how improving your ability to participate effectively in special education processes will advance learning in the classroom.
Download the slide deck for review and notetaking - PDF Slide Deck
Watch this Videos below on Participating Effectively in an IEP Meeting (12 minutes)
View the Participating in IEP Meeting One Pager.
Complete the Practice Activity to reflect on what you have learned.
Complete the Application Activity.
Application Activity (30-60 mins):
Choose a student you work with or use the provided case study. Write down the information you would provide to a special education teacher about that student’s strengths, needs, and necessary accommodations.
Meet with a special educator at your school and share the information you have collected. After discussing with at least one member of the IEP team, respond to the following prompts (in writing or video):
What feedback did you receive about your provided information?
How could you participate more effectively in special education processes in the future?
What are some considerations you will keep in mind in the future to provide the necessary information to the special education team?
Submit the information you presented (with any identifying information redacted) and your responses to the prompts, as evidence of having achieved the learning objective.
Diliberto, J.A. & Brewer, D. (2012). Six tips for successful IEP meetings. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 30-37.
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