How Teachers Can Honor The Principles Of IDEA

Zero Reject

This principle can be put into practice in the classroom by adopting a truly inclusive mindset

Teachers must learn as much as possible about the students’ specific special needs.
Teachers must get to know the student as an individual beyond his or her disability.
Teachers must be willing to try new approaches in working with students with special needs.
Teachers must recognize the contribution that the special needs student can make in helping them develop a more diverse classroom.

Nondiscriminatory Evaluation

When teachers believe a student should be referred for special education services they must:

Monitor the child and keep detailed records as to their concerns.
Document specifics:
- What the child does
- Time of day
- Duration of behavior
- Effect on other children
- Interventions they have tried
Keep work products that teachers feel illustrate their concern.
Contact the school principal and social worker to let them know that they have a concern and will be beginning a documentation process.
Talk to the child’s parents about their concerns and the documentation they are creating.

Appropriate Education

The teachers actions and attitude during the IEP meeting can make a big difference in the way the team works together.

Teachers must convey an acceptance and willingness to actively participate in the IEP process.
Teachers must learn strategies to effectively communicate and collaborate with team members.

Ways that teachers can insure that they are doing their best to both help the IEP team and their student:

Record descriptive information about the child’s progress in terms of IEP goals
Advocate for the child by giving feedback about how realistic the intervention strategies are
Communicate the child’s successes and progress to the team
Ask other members of the team what else can be done with regard to assistance
Communicate what resources you need to help the child understand the general curriculum and achieve the goals listed in the IEP

Least Restrictive Environment – LRE

This is not something teachers can create, but rather an environment that has been chosen as the best placement for the student.

Two general tips to create a classroom environment that sets the student up for optimum learning:

Keep in close contact with the child’s inclusion facilitator to see what type of seating is preferred.
Work with the facilitator to find ways to create a calming classroom environment.

Steps teachers can take to help their special education student that will also benefit their regular education students: