Make the IEP Work in the Classroom

Specially designed instruction is at the heart of special education. It is not a separate curriculum, program, or merely providing students with disabilities with accommodations. It is the intentional adaptation of what is taught, how it is taught, and when, where, and with whom it is delivered, all in direct response to the unique needs that result from a student's disability. When educators understand and implement specially designed instruction well, students with disabilities gain access to grade-level learning in ways that are individualized, effective, and responsive to their strengths and barriers. When it's missing, students are at risk of being denied the instruction to which they are legally entitled and need to thrive.

Enroll Now — $149

Who this course is for

  • Special and general educators delivering specially designed instruction daily
  • Co-teaching partners who need a shared instructional playbook
  • Instructional coaches supporting SDI across classrooms

Educators will be able to

  • Define Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) as described in IDEA and explain why it is the legal and instructional foundation of special education
  • Distinguish SDI from accommodations and general differentiation
  • Identify how content, methodology, and delivery can each be intentionally adapted in response to specific disability-related needs
  • Apply a step-by-step process for analyzing barriers and designing SDI at the lesson level
  • Describe meaningful data collection practices and determine what evidence demonstrates that SDI is accelerating student progress

Course curriculum

    1. Introduction to Specially Desinged Instruction

    1. The Three Dimensions of SDI

    2. Why SDI Matters — The Legal Foundation

    3. SDI vs. Accommodations vs. Differentiation

    4. The 14 IDEA Disability Categories

    5. Activity: Explore Common Disability Related Needs

    1. Content Adaptations

    2. Activity: Content Adaptations

    3. Methodology Adaptations

    4. Activity: Methodology Adaptations

    5. Delivery Adaptations

    6. Activity: Delivery Adaptations

    7. Activity: Does the Adaptation Reduce or Maintain Rigor?

    1. A Process for Integrating SDI at the Lesson Level

    2. Activity: Applying the Process for Integrating SDI

    1. Monitoring SDI in Practice

    2. Strategy Problem or Implementation Problem?

    3. Putting it into Practice

    4. Collecting Meaningful Progress Monitoring Data

    5. Activity: Identifying Aligned Progress Monitoring Tools

    6. Monitoring Student Progress Data

    7. Activity: Responding to Progress Monitoring Data

    1. End of Module Assessment

About this course

  • $149.00
  • 25 lessons
  • 60-90 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is this the same content as the school or district license?

    Yes, the course content is identical. Use this platform to purchase an individual course or bundle license. If you'd like access to an institutional license, please contact [email protected].

  • Do I earn a certificate or professional development credit?

    We are happy to provide completion certificates upon completion of the course. Please connect with our team at [email protected].

  • How long do I have access after I enroll?

    You will have access to the course content for one year after enrollment.

  • What if my school wants to bring this to our whole team?

    We'd love to help you bring this training to your school or district. We offer institutional licenses for a single course and the full bundle, which includes implementation support, office hours, progress reporting, and more.