What should a special educator do if a student with a learning disability is getting high grades, but their performance has declined?

Meeting with the general education teacher to discuss previous work samples is essential because it allows the special educator to gather detailed insights into the student’s academic progress and performance over time. This collaborative approach provides an opportunity to review the patterns and changes in the student's work, especially since high grades may not accurately reflect the student's understanding or abilities if there has been a noted decline in performance.

By examining previous work samples, the special educator can identify areas where the student may have been struggling or succeeding and ascertain whether the decline in performance is an isolated incident or part of a larger trend. This information is critical as it helps inform interventions or instructional strategies tailored to the student's needs.

Additionally, this collaboration fosters open communication between special and general education staff, enriching the support network for the student and ensuring that all educators are aligned in addressing the student’s academic challenges.