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CR - Emerging Special Education Teacher Training and Coaching Modules:2026-2027
Virtual Iowa DOE Sept 2nd, 2026




Overview:  This comprehensive, foundational course is designed for Emerging Special Education teachers and provides essential knowledge and skills to support students with disabilities through legally compliant and instructionally effective practices. Participants will explore the legal and ethical responsibilities tied to special education, gain fluency in using Iowa’s SDI Framework to drive instruction, and understand the procedural aspects of special education within the ACHIEVE system.

Target Audience: Emerging Special Education teachers with 2-5 years experience and/or Conditionally Licensed Special Education 

Course Description: This course provides emerging special education teachers with a strong foundation in the legal, ethical, and instructional responsibilities of their role. Participants will explore key federal laws and regulations, and examine the ethical considerations that inform decision-making in the field of special education.
Through the lens of Iowa’s Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) Framework—Diagnosis, Design, and Delivery—educators will learn how to assess student needs, plan instruction aligned to IEP goals and standards, and implement high-quality instructional practices that promote progress. The course emphasizes using evaluation data, formative and summative assessments, and progress monitoring to inform teaching and adjust instruction.
Teachers will also become familiar with Iowa’s ACHIEVE system and the procedural elements of the special education process, including Child Find, IEP development, goal writing, behavioral supports (FBA/BIP), Extended School Year Services (ESYS), Alternate Assessment, Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), and Prior Written Notice.
Collaboration is woven throughout the course, with a focus on building strong partnerships with general educators, service providers, and families. Educators will also learn how to facilitate effective and compliant IEP meetings and use tools like the ACHIEVE Family Portal to ensure transparent, student-centered communication.
This course equips emerging special education teachers with the tools, strategies, and confidence to deliver legally sound, ethically responsible, and instructionally effective special education services.

Important Session Information:


Important Session Information:
Delivery Format:

  • Duration: 9@60-90 minute monthly sessions  (September through May- released first Wednesday of  the Month); 2@45 minute monthly coaching sessions  (Participants must select at least one coaching session for a Total 6.75) 3:30-4:15 2nd/4th Wednesdays 
  •  Total Time Commitment:  13.5 hours of core learning  and 6.75 minimum additional hours of required coaching activities.  Potential total time is 20.25 -27.0 hours.
  • Mode: Flipped learning model.  The application portion of the class (monthly sessions) will be virtual, in-person, or hybrid delivery.
  • Structure: asynchronous sessions will be sent out the first Wednesday of the month; coaching 2nd/4th Wednesday Virtually  45 minutes in each AEA region provided by an EPC. The EPC will send out the calendar invite for the staff in their region.
  • Assessment: Ongoing reflection, applied tasks, self-assessment (pre and post assessment)
  • Attendance: Attendance and participation in all components of professional learning are highly recommended to ensure depth of learning and fidelity of implementation of newly learned skills and practices. If this requirement is unable to be met and sustained participation will be reviewed with local administration.

Participants will:

  • Explain key federal and Iowa-specific special education laws (e.g., IDEA, Section 504, FAPE) and their implications for practice.
  • Recognize and apply legal and ethical responsibilities in special education, including navigating the balance between compliance and best practice.
  • Interpret evaluation data and IEPs to identify student needs, skill gaps, and present levels of performance.
  • Develop meaningful, standards-aligned IEP goals and break them into measurable, teachable components.
  • Design and implement effective specially designed instruction (SDI) using evidence-based practices and instructional strategies.
  • Differentiate instruction and plan for appropriate accommodations, modifications, and supports aligned with student needs.
  • Collect and use progress monitoring data to inform instruction, adjust goals, and support data-based decision making (DBDM).
  • Navigate the special education process in Iowa, including Child Find, IEP development, FBAs/BIPs, ESY, Alternate Assessment, LRE, and PWN.
  • Facilitate compliant and collaborative IEP meetings, fostering engagement with families and team members.
  • Communicate effectively with families and staff using tools like the ACHIEVE system and Family Portal to support transparency and partnership.

Course Content
Legal and Ethical Foundations
SDI Framework
Special Education Process and Procedures/ACHIEVE
Collaboration and Communication

 

Session Notes:


Registration ends at 11:59 PM on Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Session ID:
56503
Seats:
7 / 200
Instructors:
Ashley Reichert
Session Fees:
Credit Type & Fee 
Date Time Location
9/2/2026 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Virtual (Zoom) - Zoom
10/7/2026 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Virtual (Zoom) - Zoom
11/4/2026 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Virtual (Zoom) - Zoom
12/2/2026 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Virtual (Zoom) - Zoom
1/6/2027 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Virtual (Zoom) - Zoom
2/3/2027 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Virtual (Zoom) - Zoom
3/3/2027 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Virtual (Zoom) - Zoom
4/7/2027 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Virtual (Zoom) - Zoom
5/5/2027 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Virtual (Zoom) - Zoom
1521 Technology Pkwy, Cedar Falls IA 50613 | Phone (319) 273-8200 | professionallearning@centralriversaea.org
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