Parent Academy Topic: Special Education Basics 1

1.To provide Parents/Guardians with a brief overview of what is Special Education. 2.To provide Parents/Guardians with an understanding of the Special Education/IEP process. 3.To Assist parents in understanding of who is eligible for special education supports/services. 4.To provide Parents/Guardians with information about what services and supports can be provided through the IEP process. 2 Outcomes

Provisions Service and Support Children with Disabilities Throughout the US FAPE LRE 3 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

What is Special Education? 4 Special Education is defined as: Specially designed instruction At no cost to parents To meet the unique needs of a child with an identified disability

Why Special Education? 5 Services Supports Programs Placements/Environments Educational Needs

Who is Eligible? 6 Students with needs Require support

13 Categories 7 Autism Autism Autism Deaf or Blindness Deaf or Blindness Deaf or Blindness Deaf or Blindness Developmental Delays Developmental Delays Developmental Delays Developmental Delays Emotional Disturbance Emotional Disturbance Emotional Disturbance Emotional Disturbance Hearing Impairments Hearing Impairments Hearing Impairments Hearing Impairments Intellectual Disability Intellectual Disability Intellectual Disability Intellectual Disability Multiple Disabilities Multiple Disabilities Multiple Disabilities Multiple Disabilities Orthapedic Impairments Orthapedic Impairments Other Health Impairments Other Health Impairments Specific Learning Disabilities Specific Learning Disabilities Specific Learning Disabilities Specific Learning Disabilities Speech and Language Impairments Speech and Language Impairments Speech and Language Impairments Speech and Language Impairments Traumatic Brain Injury Traumatic Brain Injury Traumatic Brain Injury Traumatic Brain Injury Visual Impairments Visual Impairments

Special Education Process Brief overview 10 basic steps 8

Step 1 Student demonstrating difficulties Possible need for Special Education Possible need for related services Referral by parent Referral by school 9

Child Find What is it? 10

Referral for Evaluation Parent Request – Written – Verbal School Request Time-line 11

Step 2 Evaluation Does the student have a disability? Does the student require SPED/Related Services What is appropriate to address needs? 12

Step 3 Eligibility “Child with a disability” 13

Step 4 Eligible for services 14

Step 5 IEP Meeting Responsibilities 15

Step 6 IEP meeting held IEP written Parent provided copy of Procedural Safeguards Parent expresses concerns Team reviews Assessment Results Team discusses Eligibility, Placement, Supports, Services, Accommodations, and Related Services 16

Step 7 After IEP: Services provided 17

Step 8 Progress monitoring Present Levels of Performance reviewed Progress towards Goals and Objectives Provided in Progress Reports 18

Step 9 Annual IEP IEP is reviewed with IEP team Must be held at least once a year Parents or IEP team can request for IEP at any time during the school year 19

Step 10 Triennial= Re-evaluation At least every three years Review student’s eligibility, supports, placement, and related services 20

Special Education Services Specialized Instruction 21

Related Services Transportation Counseling Health Services Assistive Technology Deaf/Hearing Impaired Services Occupational & Physical Therapy Services Speech and Language Vision Impairment/Blindness Related Services 22

Service Delivery Where are these services provided? Resource Support Program Special Day Class Setting Office General Education Classroom Speech and Language Class/Office 23