Sharing Student Information with Paraprofessionals

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a confidential legal document that outlines special education services that a qualifying student receives. As special education teachers and case managers, it is our job to make sure an IEP is being followed with integrity. Paraprofessionals are important service providers to our students. Effectively sharing student information with paraprofessionals help them better serve our students.

IEP at a Glance

An IEP-at-a-glance is a condensed document. It gives your intended reader a quick reference to your student’s IEP. Most online special education data managing systems have an option for auto-generated IEP-at-a-glance documents. Usually, IEP-at-a-glance documents cover the following topics:

• Goals/objectives
• Motivators
• Strengths
• Program modifications
• Specially designed instructions.

Alternatively, you can create your own IEP-at-a-glance documents for distribution. This is my go-to method. I find auto-generated IEP-at-a-glace documents too rigid. I like to provide personal touches and insights on how to work with each student. Here is how I create an IEP-at-a-glance document:

1. Obtain a copy of the new or current IEP
2. List Goals/Objectives.
3. Share Motivators.
4. Discuss Strengths.
5. List Program Modifications and Specially Designed Instruction.
6. Distribute to all team members. **See below for distribution tips**
7. Remember to include Behavior Plans, if applicable.

IEP at a glance sheets are available in Alyssa’s IEP Binder.

Distributing Student Information

Every year, I meet with my paraprofessionals to chat about our students’ IEPs. In the meeting, I provide them with each student’s IEP-at-a-glance. My paraprofessionals find the meeting extremely helpful. They feel more prepared to enter into the school year having met with the case manager about their students.

Tips and Tricks to Sharing Student Information with Paraprofessionals

1. Update information after new IEP meetings

Paraprofessionals working with your student needs to be made aware of any changes and updates to the information that pertains to them. This includes changes within the family, changes in medical information, changes in IEP goals, etc. As soon as the changes to the student’s IEP go into effect, create and present an updated IEP-at-a-glance.

2. Check-in throughout the school year

It is our job to make sure the IEP is understood and being followed with integrity.  Check-in with your staff often to see if there are any questions.  Paraprofessionals you work with may want to keep track of the accommodations and modifications they are using with your students.