related to implementing targeted goals and objectives. The modules include case studies highlighting best practices, legal guidelines about special education, an overview of progress monitoring methods and tools, and procedures for collecting and analyzing data. The key to the professional development was to ensure stakeholders understood how to target skills and develop progress monitoring plans. Instructional strategies throughout the modules incorporate a variety of formats, such as presentations, interactive discussions,case study exercises, and hands-on activities, to engage participants and enhance learning.
Figure 1: Professional Development Modules
Step 2: Goal Identification and Progress Monitoring Plan Development Every special education teacher identified the primary need of each student and collaboratively developed a progress monitoring plan. We focused on getting to 'why' and what each learner needed to be successful. We reviewed comprehensive evaluations completed by the Child Study Team and carefully analyzed the patterns of strengths and weaknesses. In teams, we met to review the collected data and how the student progressed. Based on the skills identified, we developed a plan to collect baseline data for the targeted specific skills. At this point, we ran an annual review throughout the school year, and IEPs included several goals and objectives. The district did not change IEPs to reflect the new progress monitoring plans but focused on writing one goal for each student receiving services, which would be used to implement this process. The current goals and objectives, but found that many of the goals needed to be skill- focused or even measurable enough. Most of these goals were also projected to be mastered or achieved based on an 80% target. Recognizing the limitations of using 80% mastery as a benchmark and the lack of skill-focused and measurable goals in our special education programs, we have initiated efforts to enhance our goal-setting practices in consideration of the following:
20 NJAEL Leader’s Edge Magazine
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