Reflection:

I created these 4 posters for this portfolio. I wanted to create some visually appealing reference guides for teachers that would depict the most important aspects of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. The first poster outlines the 8 steps of the IEP process and points out key information for teachers such as the requirement of written, informed consent from parents in order for a student to be evaluated for special education services eligibility, as well as key timelines, such as the requirement that evaluation occur 60 days after receiving informed consent. Designing this poster helped me better understand the stages of the IEP process which will inform my work with special education students as well as general education students who may be in the pre-referral/RTI phase of the process.

The second poster depicts the members of the IEP team. This is critical information related to the IEP process, so I thought it warranted its own poster. It is essential to note that the team may look different depending on the student and the circumstances. There is a lot of variability regarding who may participate under the category of “other relevant individuals” and those with information pertinent to the IEP process may include other school personnel and even family and community members. I included advocates and service providers on the poster as the most likely participants in this group. Designing this poster helped me better understand the extent to which every effort is made to include members who engage with students in a variety of settings and capacities in order to get a well-rounded view of each student and his or her academic abilities and struggles.

The third poster depicts elements of the IEP document itself. This information is not only essential for the members of the IEP team who are responsible for creating it, it is essential for general education teachers who must be able to unpack and understand these documents when working with special education students. Knowing how the document is constructed and the purpose of each statement and explanation included in it enables the general education teacher to adhere to the guidelines established in the IEP when working with the student in a general education setting. Understanding a student’s present levels of academic achievement and functional performance, IEP goals and the special education and related services he or she receives is crucial information for me as a library media specialist. Since I work with students throughout the school at all grade levels, including general education and special education programs, I must know how to use this information in order to effectively design lessons and identify teaching strategies as I differentiate my instruction for these students.

I designed the poster on the progress monitoring plan because I thought this information is also critical for understanding the IEP process as a whole. As a data-driven process that seeks to apply evidence-based interventions in order to target specific behaviors, the IEP process relies on the effective monitoring of student progress. Focusing on the 6 questions one must ask in designing a progress monitoring plan, the poster draws attention to the specific decisions that must be made to ensure that progress is accurately, effectively and frequently measured. Being aware of how a student’s progress towards goals is monitored is essential to designing lessons for and providing instruction to a student. Again, as a teacher who works with general education and special education students alike, it is necessary that I understand how individual student’s progress is monitored in order to provide effective library instruction.

Designing these 4 posters gave me a deeper understanding of the IEP process as a whole, as well as the specific key elements that every teacher must understand. The process is a detailed one involving many steps and, as a legal document, many key points that are essential to keep in mind. Printing and displaying these posters in my office will ensure that I have handy reference guides always at my disposal.

In addition to the posters, I created a resource list on evidence-based practices for supporting students with disabilities for this portfolio. They represent a robust collection of well-curated, easily searchable targeted strategies to which I will refer often in my teaching. They are not only effective at supporting the needs of special education students, they are effective teaching practices for all students.