special education 101 special education: a service, not a place john payne office of exceptional...
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Special Education 101Special Education: A SERVICE, NOT A PLACE
John PayneOffice of Exceptional ChildrenSC State Department of Education
What is Special Education?
§300.39 Special education.
“Special education is specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.”
What is Special Education?
•This means education that is individually developed to address a specific child’s needs that result from his or her disability.
•Since each child is unique, it is difficult to give an overall example of special education. It is individualized for each child.
Important Acronyms
Individuals with Disabilities Education ActOur nation’s special education law
IDEA
IDEA 2004
•Ensures that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living.
Important IEP Acronyms
FAPEFree Appropriate Public Education
What States must make available to all eligible children with disabilities
Important IEP Acronyms
IEP
Individual Education ProgramEvery public school child with disabilities receiving
IDEA-funded special education must have one
5 Basics about the IEP Individualized
Written plan for a child’s education
Written by parents and school staff together
Lists the special education the child will receive, and more
Is both a document and a process that is updated at least annually
Required Members of the IEP team•Parents•Student (ages 13 + must be invited to IEP meetings)•Special Education Teacher(s)•General Education teacher(s)• LEA representative• Individual who can interpret the instructional
implications of evaluation results•Others individuals who have knowledge or special
expertise regarding the child, including related service personnel
What exactly is a LEA Rep??
•An employee of the school/district that is-1. Qualified to provide or supervise the
provision of special education2. Knowledgeable about the general
education curriculum3. Able to commit the resources of the
district
Important IEP Acronyms
LRE
Least Restrictive EnvironmentChildren with disabilities are to be educated with children who do not have disabilities,
to the maximum extent appropriate
Important IEP Acronyms
FBAFunctional Behavior Assessment
A process that searches for an explanation of the purpose behind a child’s problem behavior Must have parent permission to conduct!
Important IEP Acronyms
BIPBehavioral Intervention Plan
Describe interventions and modifications to encourage replacement behaviors
Important IEP Acronyms
MDRManifestation Determination Review
A meeting which must take place within 10 days of a behavior infraction that would cause a student to be removed from
their current placement for more than 10 daysMuch more on this later….
10 Steps:The Basics of Special Education Process under IDEA
Step 1. Child is identified as possibly needing special education and related services•Child Find-Determining Eligibility
– Each state is required by IDEA to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities in the state who need special education and related services. To do so, LEA’s conduct what are known as Child Find activities.
•Referral or request for evaluation. – Referrals can be made by both parents and district
personnel
10 Steps:The Basics of Special Education Process under IDEA
Step 2. Child is evaluated
•Comprehensive Evaluation▫Must be decided upon by an evaluation team▫Many methods of assessment▫Not just done by the school psychologist▫Must assess all areas of suspected disability and to plan
for IEP development▫Parents must sign consent for evaluation
10 Steps:The Basics of Special Education Process under IDEA
Step 3. Eligibility is decided
▫Must follow South Carolina eligibility criteria▫Parents are part of the group that decides eligibility.▫Parents do not have to sign consent for eligibility▫Proper procedures for determination must be followed
10 Steps:The Basics of Special Education Process under IDEA
Step 4. Child is found eligible for services
Step 5. IEP meeting is scheduled within 30 days of eligibility determination
Step 6. IEP meeting is held, and the IEP is written
10 Steps:The Basics of Special Education Process under IDEA
Step 7. Services are provided
•Must be provided by HQ staff• IEP must be implemented as written•General education teachers must be made aware of
their responsibilities•Students may not be excluded from ANYTHING
because of their disability
10 Steps:The Basics of Special Education Process under IDEA
Step 8. Progress is measured and reported to parents
▫His or her parents are regularly informed of the child’s progress and whether that progress is enough for the child to achieve his/her annual goals by the end of the year.
▫Parents are provided with periodic reports on the progress the child is making toward meeting the annual goals.
10 Steps:The Basics of Special Education Process under IDEA
Step 9. IEP is reviewed
▫The child’s IEP is reviewed by the IEP Team at least once a year, or more often if the parents or school ask for a review.
▫Parents, as Team members, must be invited to attend these meetings. Parents can make suggestions for changes, can agree or disagree with the IEP goals, and agree or disagree with the placement.
10 Steps:The Basics of Special Education Process under IDEA
Step 10. Child is reevaluated▫ At least every three years the child must be reevaluated, unless
the parents and school agree that a reevaluation is unnecessary. ▫ This evaluation is often called a “triennial.” ▫ Its purpose is to find out if the child continues to be a “child with
a disability,” as defined by IDEA, and what the child’s educational needs are.
▫ However, the child must be reevaluated more often if conditions warrant or if the child’s parent or teacher asks for a new evaluation.
Questions?????
•For additional information, please contact:
Office of Exceptional Children803-734-8224