Practice Makes Progress: Utilizing a Simulated IEP Meeting in Teacher Preparation

This paper proposes that a simulated Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting is an effective way for pre-service teachers to gain an understanding of the IEP process. Heinrich (2017) supports the use of role-play activities in order to achieve long term objectives and engage the students in collaborative work. In addition, using the work of Coulson & Harvey (2013), this paper explains how reflection supports the meaning-making process for students. By combining the research behind engaging students in role play and reflection, a simulated IEP meeting activity is described in detail with suggestions and materials for immediate implementation. Based on the author's experience of conducting this activity within an undergraduate setting, the author proposes that this activity helps to not only support comprehension, but also alleviate the stress that novice special education teachers often feel in regards to IEP documentation and meetings.