Beginning of Year Elementary Special Education Case Manager Checklist

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 Beginning of Year Elementary Special Education Case Manager Checklist

While no case manager's beginning of the year is the same, there is a checklist I use for myself to make sure I'm doing everything I need to before we start small groups - and to make sure general education teachers feel supported when new students start in their classrooms.

There are so many areas we have to prepare - and it's not just setting up our room or planning for small group instruction. We have to review student IEPs/BIPs and other case management related tasks; we have to prepare our paraeducator team; create a small group master schedule (that somehow aligns to the building master schedule! 😅); give general education teachers information, materials, visuals, IEPs and BIPs at a Glance, while reviewing important accommodations; and finally, we have to prepare for small group instruction across content areas, like reading, writing, math, social skills, behavior, and adaptive.

Whew! It's always a lot, but somehow it is easy for me to feel energized at the beginning of a new school year. New beginnings and all of that. 💜

I hope it is helpful!



Elementary Case Manager Beginning of Year Checklist


 Case Management

  • Determine caseload, if shared with another case manager 

  • unchecked

    Review caseload’s IEPs

  • unchecked

    Review BIPs

  • unchecked

    Update behavior procedure plans

  • Call or send parents email/message


Setting

  • unchecked

    Make sure no clutter or visual overstimulation

  • unchecked

    Visuals to support group content

  • unchecked

    Flexible seating options, or assigned seating for small group instruction

  • unchecked

    Headphones, pencils, highlighters, reading trackers, folders


Paras

  • unchecked

    Review instructional/behavioral group expectations

  • unchecked

    Assign group content and distribute instructional materials (consumables)

  • unchecked

    Make daily schedule for 1:1 paras and train on data collection procedure and frequency

  • unchecked

    Distribute IEPs at a Glance


Small Group Schedule

  • unchecked

    Build around core, specialists, lunch, recess; collaborate with grade level teachers regarding core schedule

  • unchecked

    Cross check against IEP at a Glance to make sure minutes are met


General Education Teachers

  • unchecked

    Disseminate IEPs at a Glance

  • unchecked

    Disseminate BIPs and BIPs at a glance

  • unchecked

    Collaborate on accommodations

  • unchecked

    Share important information about student programming and needs

  • unchecked

    Give teachers introduction letter to put on student desks for Back to School Night

  • unchecked

    Give them laminated materials for first/then, token, break card, visuals

  • unchecked

    Distribute sensory items, per student’s IEP (e.g. headphones, flexible seating, fidgets)


Small Group Instruction

  • unchecked

    Give curriculum placement assessments for grouping students 

  • unchecked

    Look at IEPs at a Glance for similar goals among students

  • unchecked

    Ensure social/behavior goal data sheets are updated; print and put in binder

  • unchecked

    Update caseload IEP goal data spreadsheet

  • Determine behavior systems (e.g. stamps, stickers, prize box) and criteria to earn




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