Special Education Handbook: IEP, LRE, Accommodations Guide for Teachers

For new special education teachers making sense of the paperwork, general education teachers supporting students with IEPs, or coordinators building training, this 6-chapter handbook explains the special education process in plain, practical language.

What's Inside

• Chapter 1, Overview of the Special Education Process: roles of SPED teachers, SLPs, OTs, school psychologists and general education staff, plus a glossary of IDEA, FAPE, IEP, LRE, Section 504, RTI, FBA and BIP
• Chapter 2, Eligibility: referral, timelines, the 13 IDEA disability categories, evaluations and parental rights
• Chapter 3, The IEP: PLOPs, SMART goals, accommodations vs. modifications with examples, transition planning and legal protections
• Chapter 4, Least Restrictive Environment: the full Cascade of Services with example scenarios at each level
• Chapter 5, Classroom Instruction: modifications and accommodations by subject, differentiated instruction and co-teaching models
• Chapter 6, Curriculum Adaptations: scaffolding for higher order thinking, UDL and a large list of assistive technology and engagement tools

How It Helps You

• Answers the questions new special educators actually have
• Explains due process and mediation without requiring a legal background
• Real classroom scenarios in every chapter

Ways to Use It

Keep it on your desk as a year-long reference, use it for self-paced onboarding, or run it as a book study with your SPED team. It applies across elementary, middle and high school.

Who It's For

New special education teachers, general education teachers, paraprofessionals, teacher prep students and SPED coordinators.

Format

PDF (print and reference ready). Instant download.

Need more than one?

If you find yourself reaching for in-depth guides like this one, the guides bundle collects the full library of longer special education references. The Special Education Guides Bundle includes this resource and more in one download, and you save 80% compared to buying each item separately.