IEP
An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is a legally required document and process in schools that creates a personalized learning plan for students with special needs. Think of it as a roadmap that helps teachers, parents, and school staff work together to support a student's educational goals. It's similar to a business plan, but for a student's education, outlining specific accommodations, modifications, and support services needed for the student to succeed in school. When you see this on a resume, it indicates the person has experience working with special education students and understanding legal education requirements.
Examples in Resumes
Developed and implemented IEPs for a caseload of 25 students
Participated in IEP team meetings and contributed to goal-setting for students
Successfully managed Individual Education Program documentation for 30+ students
Led Individualized Education Program reviews and updates with parents and staff
Typical job title: "Special Education Teachers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Special Education Teachers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a situation where parents disagree with the IEP team's recommendations?
Expected Answer: A senior educator should discuss conflict resolution strategies, knowledge of legal requirements, documentation procedures, and ways to build consensus while keeping the student's needs at the center of the discussion.
Q: Describe how you would lead and mentor other teachers in IEP development and implementation.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate leadership experience, ability to train others, knowledge of best practices, and examples of successful mentoring relationships in special education contexts.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you ensure IEP goals are both challenging and achievable?
Expected Answer: Should explain the process of reviewing student data, collaborating with team members, and creating SMART goals that align with grade-level standards while considering individual student abilities.
Q: What strategies do you use to track and document IEP progress?
Expected Answer: Should discuss various data collection methods, progress monitoring tools, and how to use this information to adjust instruction and communicate with parents and team members.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the required components of an IEP?
Expected Answer: Should identify basic elements like present levels of performance, annual goals, accommodations/modifications, and service hours, showing understanding of the fundamental structure of IEPs.
Q: How do you prepare for an IEP meeting?
Expected Answer: Should describe gathering student data, preparing progress reports, organizing necessary documents, and ensuring all team members are notified and prepared to participate.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of IEP components
- Ability to implement accommodations
- Data collection and progress monitoring
- Participation in IEP meetings
Mid (2-5 years)
- Writing comprehensive IEP goals
- Leading IEP meetings
- Collaboration with multiple stakeholders
- Effective progress monitoring systems
Senior (5+ years)
- Program development and evaluation
- Staff training and mentoring
- Complex case management
- District-wide policy implementation
Red Flags to Watch For
- Lack of knowledge about special education laws and regulations
- Poor documentation skills or organization
- Limited experience with collaborative team approaches
- Inability to explain how to measure student progress
- No experience with parent communication or meetings
