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

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

*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!

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

Support beyond the general education classroom…..

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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. 

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

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

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)

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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!

Q & A It depends…. Thank you 

Resources Council for Exceptional Children http://www.cec.sped.org/ Individuals with Disabilities Education Act http://www.Idea.ed.gov Office of Special Education http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/index.html U.S. Department of Education http://www.Ed.gov *WATCH OUT FOR RESOURCES BY BIAS PARTIES