IEP Advice from the Pros

As we've been reminded many times throughout the semester, every student is unique. As educators, it is important that we cater to the strengths and weaknesses of each student but that takes work and practice. This month, we discussed special needs accommodations with our mentor teams and asked them to share some of their best resources and tips with us. Mr. Hughes and Mr. Bittner both gave input on how they navigate IEPs to accommodate the needs of every student.

"As soon as you get requests for behavior and IEP and class grades from the resource teachers, make sure you complete them as soon as possible. If you don't then they will pile up on you. There is a large amount of paperwork that goes with the special need student so keep on top of it. Learn how the IEP and 504 plans are laid out so that you are not spending a large amount of time reading them. If you have to read all of the IEPs when you have at least 50 of them you will spend the first nine weeks just reviewing them. As for the student, just work with them, what doesn't work for other teachers could work for you. Remember, this is more of a hands-on course and could work in your favor. You will find the niches needed for each individual student and then work with it."

"Honestly, I cannot recommend any better resource than the special education teachers who are the case managers for your students with IEPs and the guidance counselors who manage their 504s. They are not only professionally trained in providing accommodation and intervention strategies, but they most likely have years of experience doing so. As a tip, I recommend reaching out to the special education professional staff and support staff as soon as you get your class rosters or even beforehand as you get to know who is who in your building. Work in partnership with the special education teacher by using the strategies you learned in your special education courses to review your students’ IEPs and 504s for SDIs. Document the accommodations and interventions you provide especially those most and least successful."


While the two teachers both had something different to share with me, my main takeaway was that at the end of the day, it’s about finding what works best for your students and helping to make sure they are provided with the tools they need to be successful.