New Teacher and IEP goals?

Question

I am a long-term sub (special education class). IEPs are coming and I am NOT comfortable developing goals for any of my students. I do not feel qualified to do this at all. How do I communicate this to my special education director? I know several people in the district (kids attend here and son has autism). Know 2 parents in my class from support groups. Should I ask for a new assignment? Any advice is appreciated.

Answer 1

talk to parents ask them their goals, look at their old IEP goals and see if they are appropriate and how you can make these goals more relevant

Answer 2

I'm guesssing you have already received several relies, based on your new information.  I have been a teacher for 9 years and am looking to move into administration.  I think this is a time that your administrator can help you.  They are there as a buffer between Central Office and teachers, so put his experience to work for you.  If this is not an option, use the S.M.A.R.T. goal method (it's not the best, but it might help.)

Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely.

There are several websites dedicated to this method.

Answer 3

i will b in same spot i hope next year when i get lic ask other spec ed for help sounds like having an autisticson more then qualfies u to know what these kids need also use last years iep as base and make changes u will be fine

Answer 4

As was said before, IEP Goals and Objectives are team decisions. However as the teacher, you will be expected to write the academic IEP Goals based on their present level of performance. I suspect that this is one part that will be hard for you. This will be especially difficult if you are not a certified teacher. You just shouldn't have to do it alone.

Most schools have a staffing specialist associated with the school because they are required to sit in for the Director in the case of a change in placement. Find out who this person is and see if he or she can help you with testing and writing the goals and objectives.

You are kind of being hung out to dry here. I would call the director or someone who is in the upper echelon and tell them the problem.  Hopefully they will respond and help you.

If in the end you get no help, you might seek assistance from another special ed teacher in your building.

Finally, if your district has a union, you might call them to ask what to do if all else fails.

Answer 5

First, are you certified?  If not, don't touch that IEP.  You say you are substituting long-term, this is not for you to do.  Lesson plans, grade reports, IEPS are really not for a substitute.  The writing of an IEP should be performed in an IEP Committee meeting which must include a certified general education teacher, certified special education teacher, an LEA representative (usually this is a principal or his/her designee), and the parent should be invited.  I do not know the grade level which is being referenced.  At a certain age it is recommended that the student be present. You really should not even have access to the IEP unless you have been granted permission in writing by the parent of each student.  This would fall on a certified individual and short of an actual special educator, the supervisor/director of special education over this position will need to fill-in at these meetings and perform the case managers duties.  In my own experience the special education director does not like to take a hands-on approach, but pawns duties to others as able to do so and usually makes the subordinate (substitute) feel obligated to perform these duties.  I do hope this helps you.

Answer 6

IDEA law mandates anything written into IEP plan to be decided on by the WHOLE IEP team, and not just one person.

Lots of schools have one teacher do this because they know the parents dont' know the laws and usually mandate the teacher to write useless goals so they won't have to fool with the child.

And they do this because they want to do what the SCHOOL wants to do, and not waht the parents think is best for the child.

If any ONE person decides and writes the goals, this is ILLEGAL.

This has to be done by the whole IEP team IN an IEP meeting.

Answer 7

Honestly if you don't feel qualified you need to put that out there to your special ed director. IEPs are serious business for a child. You have to learn somewhere and as the long-term sub you are the person in position to assess what progress they have made in meeting their previous IEP goals.

IEPs are done by teams and goals developed by the team.  You have an important part to play in that team because you have the daily classroom experiences with the kids.

Talk to your director about your concerns.