Special Education Communication Folder Schultz Elementary School

Overview/Needs Assessment Communication between General Education and Special Education is vital for the success of their shared students. The challenge of providing consistent instruction for these students was a struggle for me as a General Education teacher. I often felt disconnected from the instruction these students were receiving during their Resource class, and I felt that my instruction was ineffective because the students had often missed my instruction while out of the classroom. I also felt that the Special Education teacher and I had very little time to communicate about the progress and behavior of these students.

My Role/Action Plan I developed a folder system to enhance communication between Fifth Grade General Education and Special Education teachers. My duties: Develop a format for a reporting sheet that could be kept in a student folder Create a mock reporting sheet and folder to share with other General Education and Special Education teachers Edit and revise reporting sheet and folder to fit individual needs of students and teachers Collaboratively work with colleagues to evaluate and improve the program Maintain the Special Education communication folders by providing new copies of reporting sheets, folders, and all materials for students each week Check in with colleagues to continue updates/revisions as necessary Solicit and accept feedback about the program

Artifacts

Original reporting sheet Artifacts Original reporting sheet Reporting sheet for another teacher (developed following collaboration)

Evaluation/Reflection I am extremely pleased with the outcome of this program, and have questioned myself on many occasions as to why I did not think of it earlier in the school year. I believe the use of the communication folder would have made the beginning of the school year smoother for all teachers and students involved in the shared education. The folder is a living, breathing document, and continues to undergo revisions even as the school year draws to an end. My hope is that the folder program will be used in more grades next year and that the communication will be in place from the beginning of the school year. I will continue to collaborate and facilitate this program for the remainder of this year, and perhaps into next school year.

Project Overview Table Area of Concern Needs Assessment Action Plan Evaluation Reflection   General Education and Special Education teachers need a way to communicate about student progress, instruction, and behavior Special Education and General Education teachers need a quick and easy system to communicate with each other. Create reporting sheets for students to be kept in a folder allowing open communication between General and Special Education teachers Students are using SPED communication folders to keep track of assignments and behaviors in both Special and General Education classes Teachers continue to collaborate to improve reporting sheets to meet individual student/teacher needs Both General and Special Education teachers have been helpful in creating the “perfect” document for individual students. This project has allowed for more communication between General and Special Education – a bonus on any campus! Competencies Addressed: 004, 005, 007