1. My Child has a IEP… Now What???
An Overview of what Parents Need to
Know Once Their Child Has Been
Classified under Special Education
Presented by
Mallory Poledro & Aubrey Fisher
District Psychologists

2. Learning the Lingo: Important Terms
LRE Least Restrictive Environment
IEP Individualized Education Program
CSE Committee on Special Education
The primary function of the CSE is to identify, evaluate, review the status of, and make recommendations concerning the appropriate educational placement of each child with a disability

3. Classifications What does it mean to be classified?
It is important to understand that when your child receives a special education classification, it is an educational classification, NOT a medical diagnosis!
This classification represents the overriding factor as to why your child is not succeeding academically, socially or emotionally within the school environment.
This is not necessarily permanent. The classification can be revisited and reexamined as your child progresses.
*When your child goes to college or applies for jobs, they do NOT need to disclose that they were classified under special education.

4. Classifications, defined
There are 13 classifications that a student may fall under:
Autism
Deaf-blindness
Deafness
Emotional Disturbance
Hearing Impairment
Intellectual Disability
Multiple Disabilities
Orthopedic Impairment
Other Health Impairment
Learning Disability
Speech or Language Impairment
Traumatic Brain Injury
Visual Impairment (including blindness)

5. IEP Highlighted Components
Test Results
Testing Accommodations
Present Levels of Performance
Transition Activities
Annual Goals
State Assessed vs. Alternately Assessed
Programs & Services

6. State Assessed Programs:
Resource Room (5:1):
Teacher provides assistance in academic skills and supplies compensatory strategies
Progress is monitored on an ongoing basis
Resource Room is offered one period a day
Each class has a ratio of 5 students and one special education teacher

7. Programs and Services: State- Assessed Programs
Integrated Co-Teaching
Integrated co-teaching services in English and math provide specialized academic instruction to meet the needs of the students with disabilities within the general education class
Two certified teachers teach the class (one special education teacher & one general education teacher)
Curriculum is identical to general education classrooms

8. State Assessed Programs:
Small Class Instruction (15:1:1)
Provides specialized instruction to students in the four major content areas of science, social studies, mathematics, and English
The course content of each class is equivalent to courses in the general education program
Each classroom has a maximum of 15 students along with one special education teacher and one teacher assistant

9. Related Services Speech/Language Therapy Counseling Services
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy

10. Important Information for All Parents!
Program Review: Any time you, or your child’s teachers/therapists, would like to review the IEP for a possible change, a request for a program review should be submitted in writing. A CSE meeting will commence to discuss the concerns.
Annual Review: Every spring, you will be invited to a CSE meeting to review your child’s IEP, progress towards their goals, as well as recommended programs and services for the following school year.
Reevaluation Review: Every 3 years, your child will undergo a comprehensive evaluation in order to determine their progress. Parental consent is required. A CSE meeting will commence to discuss the results.

11. Who are my Point People? School psychologist Guidance counselor
Special education chairperson
Fran Sinobio (SHS)
Dr. Kimberly Carroll (FPM)
Dr. Chris Schnepf (HFC)
Kevin Milano (NHP)
Marian O’Connor (ELM)
Social worker
Special education teacher

12. Parent School Collaboration is Key!