Specially Designed Instruction

Specially designed instruction is provided to students with disabilities as outlined in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to meet their unique needs as a result of their disability. Specially designed instruction may consist of an individualized curriculum which is different from their same-age, non-disabled peers with accommodations or modifications; or a combination of these two. The determination of need for specialized instruction is based on the individual student strengths and needs described in the Present Levels of Academic and Functional Performance. For any domain requiring specialized instruction, there must also be a measurable goal and, if appropriate, short-term objectives.

Direct Services

• General Education Classroom - instruction is provided to students in the general education classroom in the presence of both regular education students and special education students. The general education teacher and special education provider both provide instruction in this setting.


• Special Education Classroom - instruction is provided to students in the special education classroom, or resource room in the presence of only special education students. Instruction in the special education classroom addresses specific skills which cannot be appropriately provided in the general education setting.


• School Environment - General Education - instruction is provided to students in school locations outside of the classroom such as the cafeteria, playground, health room, etc., in the presence of both general education students and special education students.


• School Environment - Special Education - instruction is provided to students in school locations outside of the classroom such as the cafeteria, playground, health room, etc., in the presence of only special education students.


• Separate schools, homes, hospitals, residential facilities and correctional facilities are also locations in which instruction may be provided, if appropriate.

Indirect Services

Indirect services are special education and/or related services provided to the student through a means other than face-to-face contact with the student; i.e. collaboration with general educators. These services may be provided in the general education classroom or general education school environment.

ALL indirect services provided on a student’s behalf should be documented in the IEP as a service for the student. The provision of these services must be documented in the Contact Log in Enrich IEP or on the Indirect Services Log.

Examples of indirect services may include:

• Special education teacher working with the social studies teacher to modify the social studies curriculum for a specific student in accordance with the student’s IEP


• Aiding the general education teacher in developing differentiated or multi-level instructional activities designed to meet specific student needs


• Collaboration regarding specific IEP goals/objectives that the general education teacher is responsible for implementing and teaching


• Creation/modification of individual student materials (may include preparation of Braille-tactile materials)


• Reviewing tests and assignments to make suggestions for accommodations and modifications or reorganizing/reformatting examples or models


• In class observations to provide constructive and specific feedback to the classroom teacher(s) and/or the student


• Meeting and planning with a special education paraprofessional who is working directly with the students


• Developing, implementing, and monitoring tools/strategies for organization and executive functioning needs.


• Developing, implementing, and monitoring use of accommodated or modified materials


• Coordinating testing accommodations and monitoring use of accommodations during instruction.


• Reviewing student attendance, discipline, testing, grades, etc.


• Developing, implementing, and monitoring behavioral intervention and strategies.


• Reviewing or developing lesson plans used in collaborative teaching.


• Student centered problem-solving


• Paid and unpaid employment planning, coaching, and monitoring of student work performance.


• Consultation: Consultation is a service provided to the staff who work with a student with a disability intended to share expertise by providing timely information about how to best address a student’s needs. Consultation between a special education service provider and other school personnel, such as a general education classroom teacher working with the student , may include discussion related to classroom accommodations and modifications, student progress, and behavior interventions. Consultative services may occur in conjunction with specialized instruction in any domain. Consultation MUST be documented by service providers. Service providers should document the provision of consultative services through an Indirect Service Log or through the Contact Log in Enrich IEP.