Teachers today are more responsible for individualized instruction than every before. One movement that has increasingly impacted teachers over the past few decades in inclusion. This is the process of placing Special Education students into the mainstream classroom. These students come to class with an Individualized Education Plan or IEP that teachers are professionally and legally obligated to fulfill.

Thus over time teachers have had to learn and implement Special Education terms and techniques.

Mainstreaming and the Teacher

Students being mainstreamed into class can have a large impact on the teacher and his or her lesson plans. Obviously, every child is different but each special education student will have their IEP that shows exactly what modifications the child is required by law to be given. Many of these IEPs are straightforward and include items such as extra time for tests, test questions read to the student, and special placement in the classroom. However, some IEPs can be quite complicated. If you are lucky, you will have a co-teacher in the classroom to help implement any necessary modifications. If you do have a co-teacher, they will typically be responsible for filling out all the necessary paperwork showing that the necessary modifications were made for each student. However, if you do not have a co-teacher, then you will need to consult your school's Special Education staff about your responsibilities in terms of documentation.

In most cases, the child will have a Special Education teacher of record, even if they are not present in your class. They will schedule a meeting and fill out the required paperwork with you near the end of each term.

How To Become a Special Education Expert

It cannot be stressed enough that the student's IEP is a document that carries legal weight. The following steps and strategies can help you as you take steps to become a Special Education expert.

1. Start by reading through each student's IEP from start to finish. Make sure you understand exactly what their needs are and make a plan for meeting those needs.
2. Talk to a Special Education teacher at the school about the each student in order to learn about ways that you can better meet their needs.
3. Read about the specific issues that each of your students have listed. For example, if it says that a student has dyscalculia which is a math disability, you should read about exactly what this means for them in your class. The better your understanding of their situation, the greater the chance that you will be able to help them succeed.
4. Talk with each student's parents and other teachers about their specific strengths and weaknesses.
5. Discuss any concerns you might have with the Special Education teacher and/or Administration staff. If you feel that you need extra support to meet a student's needs, then make sure to make this clear.
6. Attend an IEP meeting. Mainstream teachers are typically required to be part of these meetings. By sitting in on one or more of these meetings, you can gain a greater understanding of how decisions are made for IEPs. Sometimes students are represented by advocates who represent the student and ensure that their needs are being met.
7. Take part in a Special Education professional development program. These can provide insights and strategies to help you as you meet each child's needs.
8. Enroll in a Special Education course at a local college. By spending a longer period of time focusing on the needs of Special Education students, you will grow in understanding and gain important skills.