1. Navigating the Education System as a Preemie Advocate
Tracy Pella, LMHP, NCSP
Unity, Leadership & Perspective

2. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. - Nelson Mandela

3. *DISCLAIMER*
Education throughout the U.S. varies between states, districts, and even buildings
Different types of schools provide different types of services
Federal Language
This is not legal advice!

4. General Education Classroom
Students who are successful within General Education
Students who need more support
Student Assistance Team (SAT)
Interventions
DATA, DATA, DATA
Accommodations

5. Support beyond the general education classroom…..

6. Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree. It will live its whole life believing it is stupid. - Albert Einstein

7. Section 504 Part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
This is the part of the federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against public school students with disabilities
Office of Civil Rights

8. Section 504
Section 504 regulation defines a person with a disability as any person who:
has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities
has a record of such an impairment or
is regarded as having such an impairment.

9. 504 Plans Related to broad disability & civil rights law
Does not have to be a written document (most districts do this anyway)
Less required team members
Accommodations & who will provide them
504 Coordinator

10. Child Find Law
Every school district has the legal responsibility to identify, locate and evaluate children who are in need of special education services.

11. Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA)
IDEA is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.

12. IDEA
Part A : lays out the basic foundation for the rest of the Act. This section defines the terms used within the Act as well as providing for the creation of the Office of Special Education Programs, which is responsible for administering and carrying out the terms of IDEA
Part B : Educational guidelines for school children 3-21 years of age
Part C : Services for children birth – age 2
Part D: National activities to be undertaken to improve the education of children with disabilities. 

13. IDEA Autism Blindness Deafness Emotional Disturbance
Hearing Impairment
Intellectually Disabled
Multiple Disabilities
Orthopedic Impairment
Other Health Impaired
Specific Learning Disability
Speech or Language Impairment
Traumatic Brain Injury
Visual Impairment
* Evaluation every 3 years

14. Special Education Referral to Special Education - Permission
- Evaluation
- Determining Eligibility
- Meets criteria
- Adversely affects education
- Need for specialized instruction
- Placement in Special Education
- Individualized Education Plan

15. Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
Based on IDEA
Large Team Requirements
Revisited yearly (can meet as often as needed)
Present level of educational performance(PLEP)
Goals based on PLEP
SMART Goals = specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound
Evidenced Based Practices
Services and time of services
Modification/Accommodations
Extended School Year (ESY)

16. Individualized Family Service Plan (ISFP)
Birth – 2 years old
Early Development/School system
Based on family needs to enhance child’s development
Service providers and professionals
Service Coordinator
In the home

17. 504 vs. IEP
Section 504
IEP
Related to broad disability & civil rights law
Does not have to be a written document
Less required team members
Accommodations & who will provide them
Based on IDEA
Large team
Revisited yearly
Goals
Services
Time in services
Accommodations
Modifications

18. Free and Appropriate Public Education
FAPE : All school-age individuals with disabilities as defined by Section 504 and IDEA are entitled to FAPE.
***The law states that a school district is NOT required to provide the BEST possible educational program, only one that meets the unique needs of the child and demonstrates educational benefit.

19. Behavior Interventions
Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
Evidence Based Practices

20. Coming together is a BEGINNING Keeping together is PROGRESS Working together is SUCCESS - Henry Ford

21. TEAMING With your elbow partner share your experience…..
Most positive and successful team meeting?
Most difficult or least productive meeting?

22. Teaming
For the people that are working with the student to be able to feel knowledgeable, supported, heard and reinforced on a frequent basis
For the student to be given consistency, opportunity and success on a daily basis.
Make data driven decisions as a team.
We are all experts!

23. Q & A
It depends….
Thank you 

24. Resources Council for Exceptional Children
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Office of Special Education
U.S. Department of Education
*WATCH OUT FOR RESOURCES BY BIAS PARTIES