Who must be included in the special education team?

The inclusion of parents and at least one regular education teacher in the special education team is essential for several reasons. Parents bring valuable insights about the child's strengths, challenges, and home environment, which are critical for developing an effective individualized education plan (IEP). Their involvement ensures that the educational strategies and supports provided align with the child’s unique needs and family context.

Additionally, including at least one regular education teacher is important because they can offer perspective on how the child performs in the general education setting. This collaboration ensures that the team has a comprehensive understanding of the student’s educational experience, which helps in creating a more tailored and effective plan that integrates both special and general education services. This collaborative approach fosters a more inclusive atmosphere, ensuring that all stakeholders work towards the common goal of supporting the student's educational progress.

While other roles, like multiple regular education teachers, school administrators, or school nurses, can also contribute to the team, they are not mandatory for creating a foundational special education team, which primarily needs the input of both parents and a representative of general education to address the legal requirements and best practices in special education.