E44. Test Taking Strategies

From The Intentional IEP Podcast by Stephanie DeLussey

March 2, 2026 · 18 min

About this episode

This episode discusses effective test taking strategies for special education students, emphasizing teaching skills over teaching to the test.

In this episode, we’re talking about a topic that can bring up a lot of mixed feelings in the special education world: test taking. Benchmark assessments, state testing, and standardized exams can feel overwhelming and sometimes disconnected from what matters most in SPED. But here’s the shift we’re making today. We are not teaching to the test. We are teaching students how to show what they know. That is a life skill. In this episode, Stephanie covers: • How to explicitly teach three core test taking strategies • Simple scaffolds and accommodations that support diverse learners • Practical, no prep ways to embed these skills into your daily routine starting this week We are not teaching to the test. We are teaching students how to show what they know. That is self advocacy. That is independence. That is real world skill building. Not a member? Join Today — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/ For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources: https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/ https://www.theintentionaliep.com/ https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep…

People in this episode

Host: Stephanie DeLussey

Topics covered

test taking strategies
special education
student independence
self advocacy
assessment accommodations

Keywords

test taking
special education
benchmark assessments
state testing
standardized exams
scaffolds
accommodations
life skills

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Intentional IEP Podcast, SPED, Facebook, Instagram

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