In recent informal guidance letter, Letter to Chambers, the U.S. Department of Education- Office of Special Education (OSEP), stated that local school districts could include best teaching practices, that are part of a school district’s regular education program, into a student’s IEP, provided that the best teaching practices are part of the student’s specially designed instruction, that are designed to meet the student’s unique needs, and will allow the student to access the general educational curriculum. The fact that best teaching practices are part of the school district’s regular education curriculum, does not automatically preclude the incorporation of these teaching practices in to the student’s IEP if it is individualized to meet the student’s unique special education and related services needs. OSEP cautioned that the use of best teaching practices cannot replace the student’s need for unique and individualized instruction if the student requires such instruction.
For the full letter, please click here: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/memosdcltrs/11-026517r-ma-chambers-definitions-5-4-12.pdf