Managing Special Education Services: Virtual IEP Solutions Explained

About 7.5 million students receive special education services in public schools around the United States. That number is set to keep growing due to improved scientific and cultural understanding of how to serve students with learning disabilities as well as improved early intervention services. Unfortunately, the number of special education teachers is decreasing just when they're needed the most. About 46,000 special education teachers leave the profession each year and teacher prep program statistics show that fewer than 30,000 are available each year to take their place. Over 50% of school districts and 80% of states have trouble finding special education teachers, leading many to turn to virtual IEP solutions in order to give special education students the quality education they need and deserve.

Virtual IEP Solutions: What are the Options?

Virtual IEP services vary depending on the service provider. Even so, all the following special education services are available from the e-learning industry.

Special Education Classes

If you're having a hard time finding special education teachers, working with online education services is an ideal solution. Such services specialize in connecting school districts with certified teachers who can offer specially designed instruction. Furthermore, you'll not only get general education curriculum classes but also electives designed to give special education students a well-rounded education and provide them with opportunities for professional development.

School districts can:

• Schedule general education curriculum classes while informing the teacher that IEP or 504 students will be present during class. The virtual IEP provider, together with in-person assistants, will ensure special education students have their needs addressed before class starts. Students who need to see the teacher close-up can be seated close to the screen. An assistant can clear a student's desk while providing him or her with the tools needed for class.
• Schedule special education classes for small groups of special education students with similar needs. The IEP service provider will ensure the teacher or teachers for the class have the skills and training needed to meet these students' needs.
• Request one-on-one tutoring for students who need individual attention.

All classes are on the school's bell schedule and the curriculum is adapted to meet your state's general education curriculum requirements. Additionally, class scheduling is flexible to allow school districts to start or stop classes as needed. Has a student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) moved away? Do additional students need early intervention services? District administrators can change class schedules as needed to meet learners' needs.

Full Compliance with IEP Modifications and Accommodations

Not all children who need special education services have the same needs. Some require help from a speech pathologist, while others have ADD, are on the spectrum, or require other services. A good virtual IEP will ensure the individualized education program for each student is followed down to the last detail. Do children need to take short breaks during class? That's not a problem, since classes are livestreamed, and teachers can give students a few minutes to stretch before the class continues. Teachers can also give oral and written instructions, use key words to help students understand instructions, use visual aides or minimize visual distractions as needed, and more.

An added benefit of livestream online classes for special education students is that they not only improve academic achievement but also address social development issues. Synchronous classrooms help to foster teamwork and communication skills. They enable learners to build relationships with a teacher and fellow students. Thus, special education students don't miss out when schools switch from an in-person model to a virtual, synchronous one.

Detailed Progress Monitoring and Reporting

Every special education student deserves free appropriate public education services. However, these services can vary as students get older, master certain concepts, or other disabilities come to light. Virtual IEP providers continually monitor a student's progress and report regularly to school districts. This ensures that children are making progress in their special education plan. It helps them get related services if needed, as teachers watch the students during live classes and immediately notice issues that need addressing.

Case Management Services to Ensure IEP Compliance and Coordination

SPED case management is two-fold. One part of the job is ensuring special education students receive the special education services they need to get a good education. The other part of the job is documenting each student's progress. IEP compliance and reporting are imperative to avoid legal problems. It also plays a key role in ensuring each special education student receives the best education possible. Many schools struggle with IEP compliance due to staffing and resource shortages, but virtual IEPs can help pick up the slack so schools can remain compliant even if they have limited manpower.

Virtual IEP Services: Getting Started

All virtual IEP service providers have an onboarding process. You'll need to:

• Collect and provide information about IEP and 504 students. This includes ages, diagnosis, and needed accommodations
• Decide which special education classes you'd like, and select a time slot for each class.
• Select other special education services you need for your school district
• Invest in an IT set-up that will provide learners with an appropriate educational environment. Good bandwidth is a must for livestream classes. Quality computer equipment, headphones, and microphones are also important.
• Make sure special education students know about the change in special education set-up and have any supplementary aids and specialized equipment they need before class starts.

Why Work with Proximity Learning?

Proximity Learning is an industry leader providing regular education classes and specialized courses for general education classroom set-ups, IEP students, summer school students, and students who need one-on-one tutoring. We also offer special education case management services to ensure your students get a quality education and that this education is properly documented in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

A child's disability should stop him or her from receiving the best possible education. Our teachers are certified and passionate about helping each student receive all special services needed to reach his or her IEP goals. Get in touch with us to find out more about our services or to start the onboarding process for your school.

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