If you are considering earning a graduate degree in special education, you have a unique opportunity to positively affect the lives of children in special education programs. Options like the online Master of Science in Education (MSE) in Special Education – Instructional Specialist K-12 program from Arkansas State University provide the comprehensive knowledge, expertise and skills you need to improve learning experiences for students who receive special education services.
An essential component of your work as a special education teacher and instructional specialist will be your unique role in the team that develops Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for eligible students. Well-designed IEPs are critical for student success in and out of the classroom.
What Is an Individualized Education Program?
An IEP is a comprehensive educational plan developed to meet the individual needs of a child found eligible for special education services. Developing, implementing and adhering to carefully constructed IEPs for students entering special education programs is critical to providing each student with a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment, as mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
A team of professionals, family members — and sometimes the student involved — design the Individualized Education Program. IEPs are unique in that they focus on a child’s strengths, include measurable goals — including non-academic goals — and specify the modifications and accommodations necessary to meet that child’s needs in learning environments to ensure progress in priority areas.
IEP Development Is a Collaborative Process
An IEP is developed by a collaborative team consisting of special education teachers, general education teachers, school district representatives, a child’s parents or guardians, and additional experts if needed. When appropriate, or if a child reaches the age of 16, the student can also participate in the development and revision of their IEP.
The opportunity to participate in their own IEP development allows a student to take ownership of their education and gain experience in goal setting, identifying areas for growth and expressing opinions about learning techniques. IEPs are important in that they bring many different parties to the table. IEPs clearly detail all goals and modifications, creating a comprehensive roadmap to success for everyone involved. These comprehensive plans are invaluable for ongoing collaboration between classroom teachers, special education teachers, instructional specialists, parents, students and others involved in the students’ communities.
An IEP Focuses on Measurable Goals
The importance of an IEP includes measurable and specific goals. Goals that are vague or too broad are difficult to track. Breaking down goals into smaller components and defined outcomes allows more opportunities for a child to reach those goals, affording the child a sense of accomplishment and confidence. The teams that design a student’s IEP often focus on SMART goals, which refer to goals that are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable, using action words
- Realistic and results-oriented
- Time-bound
SMART goals explain in detail what a child will do and how to measure results and outcomes, further providing details on appropriate modifications, accommodations and/or assistive technologies to support the child’s success and meet their specific needs. A SMART IEP also details agreed-upon, realistic timeframes for the child to reach defined goals.
IEP Plans Are Holistic and Strength-based
In part, IEPs are important because of their holistic nature. IEPs focus on achieving a clearer understanding of the entire child, including areas of strength. There is sufficient space within an IEP to describe the child in detail, including preferences, academic interests, family structure and extracurricular activities.
Additionally, IEPs are unique in that they do not only focus on academic growth. Social-emotional goals — such as recognizing or regulating emotions, building empathy skills and building positive relationships with peers — are equally as important and often accompany academic goals. The strengths-based approach to designing IEPs empowers students and fosters critical skills in self-awareness and self-advocacy.
An IEP Is a Working Document
IEPs are not static plans, set in stone. Rather, the IEP is a working document that responds to the challenges a child experiences as well as the progress they make in learning environments. Special education teachers and general education classroom teachers work closely together throughout the child’s educational experience to assess IEP goals and efficacy along with student progress on an ongoing basis.
The IEP team must review the IEP on a regular basis, revising the program as needed to make accommodations, support progress and development, and adjust goals and learning priorities when necessary. Because an IEP is not a finalized document, it is necessary for teachers, family members and the student to maintain a fluid conversation.
Well-trained Special Education Teachers Are Vital to IEP Design and IEP Implementation
While working with children in special education programs, you have the opportunity and responsibility to positively affect a child’s quality of life. One of the ways in which you can ensure academic and personal growth for your students is by designing quality IEPs. It is important to create an IEP that is clear, measurable and strength-based in nature.
Such IEPs can provide a roadmap for the most effective learning environment for each child. However, IEP implementation is just as important as design. As a special education teacher or instructional assistant, you are the expert that other educators and supporting figures in the child’s life look to for guidance, strategies and coaching on how to ensure the child has the best possible education and learning experiences.
With the advanced preparation you receive in earning a special education master’s degree, you gain the skills and knowledge to make sure all program and educator practices adhere to the IEP, supporting and challenging the child in their academic and personal growth. Through guiding all involved to maximize student success, you can have a long-lasting positive impact on each child’s experience in school and in life beyond.
Learn more about the online MSE in Special Education – Instructional Specialist K-12 program from Arkansas State University.