What roles do general education and special education teachers play in IEP implementation?

• A. General educators deliver core instruction with accommodations; special educators provide specialized instruction and collaborate with the team.
• B. The principal alone makes all implementation decisions.
• C. Special educators handle all instruction; general educators only manage behavior.
• D. General educators write the IEP and supervise testing.

Answer: (A)

In IEP implementation, roles are shared and complementary between general and special education teachers. The general education teacher delivers the core instruction to all students and uses accommodations and supports outlined in the IEP to help the student access the general curriculum. The special education teacher provides specialized instruction targeted to the student’s unique learning needs and collaborates closely with the general educator to plan, adapt materials, and use specific strategies. They also monitor progress toward the IEP goals and coordinate services, whether through pull-out, push-in, or co-teaching models, while communicating with families and other team members. This collaborative, team-based approach ensures the student receives both access to the general curriculum and the targeted support required for meaningful progress. The other options misstate roles—for example, a single administrator making all decisions, one teacher handling all instruction, or one teacher alone writing the IEP and supervising testing—because IEP implementation relies on a collaborative effort among teachers and the IEP team.