Change is inevitable— except from a vending machine. Robert C. Gallagher Change always comes bearing gifts. Price Pritchett

A crocodile always grows new teeth to replace the old teeth. The cost of mailing a letter by the pony express was $5 for half an ounce. 25% of American men are now 6 feet or taller, compared to only 4% on The annual growth of Web traffic is 314,000%. What next?

O verview of K ey Changes in IDEA 2004

Theme A: W elcome to IDEA Top 10 Basics in Special Education Overview of Key Changes in IDEA

This module looks at selected changes in... IDEA’s definitions Evaluation / reevaluation IEP meetings and IEP content Parentally-placed children with disabilities in private schools Discipline provisions

And then there’s what’s new! Early intervening services Response to intervention

D efinitions Limits are set for Related Services for medical devices that are surgically implanted Other Health Impairment specifically mentions Tourette syndrome

D efinitions Highly qualified special education teachers Core academic subjects Scientifically based research Aligning with NCLB

Mona Lisa has no eyebrows It was the fashion in Renaissance Florence to shave them off “It Wasn’t Always So” Pilgrims did not eat potatoes for Thanksgiving (They thought potatoes were poisonous) The “Star Spangled Banner” did not become the National Anthem until 1931 when it was so designated by an Act of Congress

E arly Intervening Services Assistance given to students: Who haven’t been identified yet as needing special education and related services But— Who may need additional support to succeed in general education environment

IDEA’s Brand-New EIS Provisions No more than 15% of Part B funds to develop and implement EIS Emphasis on students in K-3 K-12 students as well Professional development of teachers and other school staff

EIS’ Relationship with Disproportionality: Concern of Congress: Children from racial or ethnic backgrounds overidentified as children with disabilities or overrepresented in particular educational settings If an LEA has such a disproportionality: Must reserve full 15% of Part B funds for EIS, especially targeting overidentified groups

Early Intervening Services: Do not limit right to FAPE Do not create right to FAPE May not be used to delay appropriate evaluation of a child suspected of having a disability FAPE is an entitlement only for children currently eligible for special education under IDEA, as outlined in their IEPs Regardless of IDEA funds being used to provide EIS:

Time is a dressmaker specializing in alterations. Faith Baldwin

E valuation and Reevaluation Initial evaluation must be conducted within 60 days of receiving parental consent for the evaluation Timeframes If a State establishes a timeframe… within the State’s timeframe OR

E valuation and Reevaluation State may not require the use of “severe discrepancy model” State must permit use of a process based on the child’s response to scientific, research- based procedures State may permit the use of other alternative research-based procedures In identifying children with specific learning disabilities (SLD)

What is RTI? Research-based approach to helping children who are struggling Typically involves 3 levels of assistance that increase in intensity 1.Screening and classwide interventions 2.Targeted, small-group interventions 3.Intensive interventions

There are many RTI models in use* In RTI, progress monitoring is critical to: RTI in Practice * The Department does not mandate or endorse any particular RTI model Pinpoint child’s areas of difficulty Keep close track of child’s progress Staff use formal guidelines to decide which children are not making adequate progress or responding to the intervention

RTI does not replace a comprehensive evaluation Evaluation teams must use a variety of tools and strategies, even if RTI is used Results of RTI may be one part of information reviewed IDEA and RTI IDEA 2004 regulations do not define RTI Regulations are written to accommodate different models of RTI

E valuation and Reevaluation Not more than once a year * Reevaluation At least once every 3 years** * Unless parent and public agency agree otherwise ** Unless parent and public agency agree reevaluation is not necessary

E valuation and Reevaluation Reevaluation is not required… …when a student with a disability is graduating from secondary school with a regular diploma or due to exceeding the age eligibility for FAPE under State law The public agency must… …provide a summary of the student’s academic achievement and functional performance, including recommendations on how to assist the student in meeting his or her postsecondary goals

E valuation and Reevaluation Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE) If a parent disagrees with an evaluation or reevaluation… …the parent is entitled to only one IEE at public expense each time the agency conducts an evaluation with which the parent disagrees.

Ancient Eqyptians slept on pillows made of stone. Who wants to sit like stone or sleep on it? Time to refresh!

C hanges in IEP Meetings Excusing a Member from Attending IEP Meeting Which members? Under what conditions? Designated IEP Team members are not required to attend IEP meeting, in whole or in part, given specific conditions

C hanges in IEP Meetings Parent and public agency can agree not to convene an IEP meeting to make changes to child’s IEP and instead develop a written document to amend or modify the IEP Upon request, a parent must be provided a copy of this revised IEP with the amendments incorporated After the annual IEP meeting…

Changes in IEP C ontent “A statement of the child’s present levels of academic achievement and functional performance…”

Changes in IEP C ontent “Short-term objectives or benchmarks …” Required only for children with disabilities who take alternate assessments aligned to alternate achievement standards

Changes in IEP C ontent IEP must include: measurable postsecondary goals transition services (including courses of study) needed to assist the child in reaching those goals Beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child turns 16, or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP Team… Transition Planning

NIMAS New IEP C onsiderations Does the child need print instructional materials in accessible formats?

New IEP C onsiderations...if the IEP Team determines that the child must take an alternate assessment M odified Academic Achievement Standards and Assessments

W hen Students Transfer* New IEP C onsiderations * * Between 2 public agencies, in same school year

You’re born with 300 bones. When you get to be an adult, you only have 206. In 1950, only 7% of Americans dyed their hair. Now 75% do. The first was sent over the Internet in Average major league career of a baseball: 5 to 7 pitches. Moving Right Along…

“ P arentally Placed ” Children — O h, what a change! Which school district is responsible… …for decisions about services to parentally-placed private children with disabilities? School District Responsibility The LEA where the private school is located

Key Changes in D iscipline Procedures Authority of school personnel to consider unique circumstances on a case-by-case basis New standards for manifestation determination Removals for “serious bodily injury” The “stay-put” provision Clarifying “basis of knowledge”