Module 6: Processes and Programs

In this module, I had heard the term IEP’s and at my previous school meet on various occasions with parents. As a classroom teacher teaching grade 1 and 2 at the time, I had a student who was yet to be designated. I was not aware of the IEP process. I had written simple learning plans for ELLs before, but writing an IEP was new to me. I also was not aware of the specific role of resource teachers in managing the caseloads of all students with learning disabilities, and the role of teaching assistants (EA’s in my district) in addressing the physical needs of students. 

New Understandings

• IEP Smart Goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely
• Role of resource teachers in designing, assessing, implementing IEP goals and education assistants in helping to implement goals, and also addressing physical needs of exceptional learners

Implementation

• Collaborate with parents, teachers, administrators, specialist staff in IEP writing
• Ask for guidance from other resource teachers
• Look at IEP’s from previous years

Next Steps:

• To explore how to write competency-based IEPs through District training workshops
• To research more IEP writing by looking at more samples