On your first morning as a SPED aide, the teacher hands you a folder with a student's IEP and behavior plan.
Everything that identifies a student's needs — IEPs, 504 plans, behavior plans, evaluations, grades, health notes and even the fact that a student receives special education — is part of the student's education record. Federal law (FERPA, and IDEA for special education) limits who may see it.
You may discuss a student with the teacher, case manager and staff working with that student that day. Not with other students, other parents, other schools, friends or family — and not with EverTeach staff beyond what is needed to support the assignment.
Leave the IEP and plans where the teacher keeps them. Never photograph, copy, text or post anything about a student, and never take documents home. If you need notes, keep them general and hand them to the teacher at the end of the day.
Hallways, the staff room, the parking lot and social media are public. If a parent of another child asks about a student, say you cannot discuss other students and point them to the teacher or office.
If a document goes missing or you shared something by mistake, tell the teacher and EverTeach support the same day. A quick report lets the school fix it; hiding it makes it worse.
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