IEP as an Instructional Tool: Rethinking Paperwork in Special Education

If you’re at the CEC Convention in Baltimore, I invite you to join me for my session, “IEP as an Instructional Tool,” where I will share research on how reducing paperwork burdens can improve teacher retention and student outcomes.

Special education teachers spend a significant portion of their time on compliance-related paperwork—time that could be spent on instruction. This administrative overload contributes to burnout and high attrition rates, making it harder to retain qualified educators. My research explores how AI-driven tools and professional learning strategies can streamline these tasks, allowing teachers to focus on what truly matters: student learning.

Key Challenges in Paperwork Management

Through action research, I’ve identified three major barriers to effective data collection and paperwork management:

1. 1. Technical Knowledge Gaps – Many educators lack training on tools that could streamline their paperwork.
   2. Systemic Inefficiencies – Schools often have outdated or redundant processes that add unnecessary workload.
   3. Time Management Constraints – Teachers struggle to balance instructional responsibilities with documentation demands.

These barriers not only affect teacher workload but also have a direct impact on student outcomes. The more time spent on paperwork, the less time there is for quality instruction.

Strategies for Reducing Paperwork Burden

In my session, I will highlight three practical strategies that schools and educators can implement immediately:

1. 1. AI-Driven Tools
      • • Platforms like Kit for Teams help automate IEP management, lesson planning, and scheduling.
        • These tools reduce the manual effort required for compliance, freeing up time for instruction.
   2. Professional Learning on Paperwork Management
      • • Training educators on efficient paperwork strategies helps them manage compliance tasks more effectively.
        • Schools can provide professional development focused on streamlining administrative tasks and aligning paperwork with the instructional cycle.

Why This Matters

By reducing paperwork demands, we can:

• • Increase teacher retention by decreasing burnout.
  • Improve student outcomes by ensuring teachers spend more time on instruction.
  • Create better working conditions for special educators.

My research combines quantitative and qualitative data, including surveys and focus groups, to assess how AI tools and professional learning can make a real difference. Initial findings show that streamlining compliance tasks leads to greater teacher satisfaction and improved instructional focus.

What You’ll Take Away

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• • Implement AI-driven tools to manage compliance paperwork efficiently.
  • Develop professional learning strategies to support teachers in paperwork management.

I look forward to sharing these insights and having a discussion about how we can rethink paperwork in special education. Join me at CEC 2025 in Baltimore to explore strategies for reducing cognitive load and creating more time for what matters most – teaching and learning.