Special Education 101  Special education is:  general and special education teachers working together to meet the needs of a disabled student.  provisions of the general education curriculum, with modifications and accommodations, as agreed upon by an ARD (Admittance, Review, and Dismissal) committee.

Special Education Legislation  1975-Public Law The Education for All Handicapped Children Act  FAPE - Free and Appropriate Public Education Each school district provides, at no cost to the parents or guardians, a free and appropriate public education to all students ages 3-22, who meet eligibility requirements, and reside in the district.  1997-IDEA Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Reauthorization of federal laws relating to special education

It Can’t Be Like This… Look, Listen, and Learn

How are Students Identified for Special Education? Referrals from teachers, administrators, and/or parents lead to the identification of a student who may need special services. Once a referral is made, a comprehensive individual assessment is made.  Determination for assessment is based on: 1. A physical, mental, and/or emotional disability, 2. Not achieving at his/her age level 3. A severe discrepancy between achievement and intellectual ability

Who is Eligible? Students 3-22 years of age, who may have one or more disabilities. Orthopedic Impairment Other Health Impaired Mental Retardation Emotional Disturbance Learning Disability Speech Impairment Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified Traumatic Brain Injury Multiple Disabilities Auditory/Visual Impairment Students disabled for a minimum of 4 weeks Non-categorical

Can All Schools Serve a Child with a Disability? All campuses provide services for special education. Specialized programs for some students are strategically located throughout the district. District will provide transportation to students needing services outside their attendance area.

The Special Education Identification Process 1. The LST Local Support Team meeting (Often called an IMPACT meeting by elementary campuses within AISD) The committee will develop an academic and social support plan which includes accommodations, modifications, and differentiations to the general curriculum. Modifications and accommodations may also be determined for the student’s academic environment.

Local Support Team The Curriculum  the development of a rich and responsive educational environment through accommodation, modification, and differentiation  the flexibility to meet the needs of diverse student learners. MUST ALLOW

COMMUNICATION THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS Involve the Parents 1.Consult and involve parents every step of the way. 2.Set the stage for a positive relationship. 3.Build trust and respect. 4.Stay “child centered” 5.Use student work and examples to validate your point.

The Special Education Identification Process 2. The LST Local Support Team Committee Meeting

The LST Is Special Education the Right Service? Modifications, accommodations, and curricular differentiation has been tried and documented of having little or no successes.

Always Remember… If General Education is Responsive, More students will get the education they need. More students will get the support they need. More teachers will understand how to work effectively with multiple learning styles and differing student needs. Referrals to special education will be made for the right reasons. Disabled students will get the help they need from both special and general education.

The Special Education Process The ARD Meeting 3. The ARD Committee Meeting Admission, Review, and Dismissal

Timelines/ Legal Mandates of the Special Education Processes The Child Centered Educational Process

The Special Education Process The IEP The IEP- Individual Education Plan

The IEP Includes… Modifications Changes in what a student is expected to learn Accommodations Changes in how a student accesses Information and demonstrates learning Differentiated Curriculum Varied instructional approaches that can be adapted for individual and diverse student learning processes.

The BIP- Behavior Intervention Plan The BIP The BIP will identify targeted behavior, step- by-step interventions for de-escalating the behavior, and the appropriate student response to the intervention. Crisis Plan

School Related Issues and the Law Non-compliance Child abuse Second language learners