Shifting the Mindset of Special Education Practices

Exhibited by:

• Jennifer Tegano

PLO Attended:

• Quality IEP Goal Writing

Coached by:

• Chris Taharally

Goals for the Professional Learning

• Deepen understanding of how to write quality present levels of performance (PLOPs) for IEPs
• Learn about the purpose and structure of a functioning School Implementation Team (SIT)

Professional Learning

• The importance of the role of the School Implementation Team in setting goals to change the mindset of special education practices.
• How quality PLOPs provide the foundation to determine recommended services and goals for each student.

Implementation

• Create and schedule the SIT
• Review IEPs to create school goals
• Turnkey those goals with the special education team, at weekly meetings
• Create a PLOPs checklist to share with the team
• Review IEPs using the PLOPs checklist to provide feedback to teachers

Reflection

Based on monthly special education liaison meetings that were attended this year, our school is beginning to change the mindset of special education. Our staff is working collectively, in weekly special education meetings and monthly SIT meetings, to ensuring that Tier I and RtI services are in place before referring students for an initial evaluation. Special education teachers are writing PLOPs that provide a clearer understanding of students’ strengths and weaknesses and use this data to provide the appropriate recommended services.