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IEP Case Management For Special Education Teachers

This section of the Career Connections website is intended as a reference for special education teachers supporting students in the program.  Career Connections students are served primarily by the Career Connections staff that are trained as employment specialists.  The special education teacher continues to be the case manager for the student’s IEP.  The bridge created by having high school educational staff and community-based employment specialist staff work together is a critical component of the program. 

The general rules of special education, as well as IEP procedures, are the same for students in Career Connection as for all eligible students.  However, the process of writing the IEP and progress monitoring/reporting for Career Connections students has some unique features.  The attached tools, developed over the past few years, are intended to make the special educator’s work easier.

Tips for Writing IEPs for Students in Career Connections
This document has page by page directions and sample language. 

Career Connections Services Level Matrix
This is the Iowa Department of Education-required IEP matrix with an additional page of informational prompts designed to help AEA staff more efficiently and accurately weight IEPs for students in Career Connections.

Procedures for Monitoring and Reporting Student IEP Progress
This document clarifies the role of the special education teacher working with a Career Connections student in relation to IEP case management; explains how progress monitoring responsibilities are shared by Career Connections staff and special education teacher; and explains how reporting progress is shared by Career Connection staff and special education teacher.

IEP Case Management for Students in Career Connections
This is a flow chart that show IEP activities and the primary person responsible—special education teacher and/or Career Connections staff. 

Flow Chart for Special Education Forms
This is the traditional GWAEA flow chart.  Note the Begin Career Connections or VITAL and the Graduation/Senior Staff Out columns for documentation required at entrance to and exit from Career Connections in most cases.