SPECIAL EDUCATION: What You Need to Know The Training Institute on Disability Rights

Special Education: What You Need to Know 2 What does Equip for Equality (EFE) Do? Offers People with Disabilities and their families: Information Support Resources Legal services Trainings

Special Education: What You Need to Know 3 Contact EFE Toll-free telephone and TTY numbers Fax numbers Last Resort: Visit

Special Education: What You Need to Know 4 Equip for Equality Can Help Information & Referral Review of Case Technical Assistance Legal Representation

Special Education: What You Need to Know 5 Questions About Equip For Equality?

Special Education: What You Need to Know 6 Special Education: Who Needs It? Does your child have difficulty in school? Does your child need tools or services to understand materials or teachers in school? Does your children need help to get into the school or use school equipment? Does the school staff understand your childs needs?

Special Education: What You Need to Know 7 Special Education Law: IDEA IDEA = Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Free Appropriate Public Education

Special Education: What You Need to Know 8 Whats the First Step? REFERRAL A written request to the school district asking for a childs evaluation for special education services A parent or other family member, a guardian, a teacher, or any school official can request a referral A referral starts the Case Study Evaluation (CSE), which must be done within 60 days.

Special Education: What You Need to Know 9 Case Study Evaluation (CSE) A CSE means many different kinds of tests and evaluations. Parents or guardians consent is needed. CSE must not have bias against race or culture. The tests and evaluations must be done in the childs language or way of communication. Once the CSE is done, parents and teachers meet for a multi-disciplinary conference (MDC).

Special Education: What You Need to Know 10 Multi-Disciplinary Conference A meeting with all teachers, therapists, evaluators, and parents Review of tests and evaluation to decide if a child needs any special education services If parents do not agree, they can ask for an independent evaluation at no cost A MDC happens for each child once every three years. A CSE (evaluation) is also done every three years but a parent can request it be done more often

Special Education: What You Need to Know 11 What about 504? 504 = Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Separate law Even if a child does not need special education assistance, 504 makes sure that a child with a disability gets access to an education Makes sure a child has access to a school building Buses, ramps, elevators, braille materials, etc.

Special Education: What You Need to Know 12 Individualized Education Program (IEP) Once it is decided that a child needs special education, an IEP must be written. IEP = a written document with goals and services for the child Teachers, therapists, and parents meet during the IEP meeting to decide those goals and services. IEP meetings happen at least once a year, to make any changes needed to ensure child is doing well

Special Education: What You Need to Know 13 Whats in an IEP? Present Levels of Performance Goals & Objectives/Benchmarks Progress Reports Special Education Services Related Services

Special Education: What You Need to Know 14 What Happens Next? CSE is done and your child needs special education services. MDC and/or IEP is done: the education plan for your child is complete. Whats next? The education itself! The educational goals and objectives must be completed within the school year Ask for someone on staff to be the contact person and monitor

Special Education: What You Need to Know 15 What If You Dont Agree with the IEP? Try to talk to the teachers and staff Get an Independent Evaluation Consult an attorney or legal aid organization such as Equip for Equality Due Process Hearing Mediation

Special Education: What You Need to Know 16 Due Process Hearing Like a trial Instead of a judge, you have a hearing officer Parents on one side, school on the other side Often have lawyers helping both sides, but lawyers are not required Both sides try to convince the hearing officer that they are right about the childs education The hearing officer makes a decision that both sides must follow, but either can appeal to a court

Special Education: What You Need to Know 17 Mediation A meeting between parents and school district Try to resolve problems without a hearing Mediator (impartial person) helps both sides try to resolve the problems Voluntary (optional) & Confidential Can still go to due process hearing if mediation fails

Special Education: What You Need to Know 18 What about Discipline? A big problem for children with behavior or other types of disabilities are the discipline provisions A child may be removed for no more than 10 days for a disciplinary violation Manifest Determination Review – IEP team reviews whether disciplinary violation is related to disability

Special Education: What You Need to Know 19 NOTICE! Parents are entitled to NOTICE on almost everything! Referral & CSE MDC & IEP Discipline & Manifest Determination Review

Special Education: What You Need to Know 20 Transition Services Age 14: start transition services Set up a plan for child to transition from school to work Might mean going to a specific high school or program to prepare Might mean a work experience program

Special Education: What You Need to Know 21 5 Most Important Self-Advocacy Tips 1. Know Your Rights 2. Be Aware of What Your Child Needs 3. Bring a Supporter: Friend or Lawyer 4. Keep a Record of What Happens 5. Use Resources For Help

Special Education: What You Need to Know 22 Questions????