The World of Special Education Professor Quong

What comes to mind when you hear... Special education Special needs Inclusion

History Infanticide “stored away” in poor houses Residential schools Public schools

Government--the Laws Handicapped Children’s Education Assistance Act (PL90-538) All Handicapped Children Act (PL94-192) aka IDEA –Children ages 3-21 –Least restrictive environment (LRE) –Free and appropriate public education (FAPE) –Full Individual Evaluation (FIE) PL –Added birth-3 –Family is the focus (Individual family transition plan)

Government-the laws IDEA 2004 –Quality of personnel –IEP standards –Transitional services Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 –Equal access –Cannot discriminate No Child Left Behind (PL ) Americans with Disability Act –Not directly discuss children with exceptionality but impacts them greatly

What is the Difference Between 504 and IDEA?  Civil rights law  less specific procedural criteria that govern the requirements  “Levels the playing field”  Continues throughout life  Receives no additional funding  Broader definition of disability Education Benefits Law The degree of regulation is more specific in terms of time frames, parental participation, and formal paperwork requirements. Only available ages 3-21 Requires an IEP Receives additional funding All Children Section 504 IDEA

Schools Accountability Inclusion –The process of bringing all, or nearly all, exceptional children into the general classroom for their education with special education support Continuum of services –The range of services of placements that may constitute the Least restrictive environment where the exceptional child learns best.

Inclusion LRE Adapting –The environment –The curriculum –Teaching strategies –Assistive and instructional technologies Assistive technology consists of tools that enhance the functioning Tools that support and expand the computers usefulness as a means to deliver content Accommodations Modifications Ramifications

Inclusion--dealing with a problem behavior  Never look at the behavior as only coming from the child  What is he trying to communicate?  Focus on & reinforce positive behavior  Intervention within relationships  Natural consequences  No aversive treatment  Crying spot  All in a inclusive setting  Seek additional help

Inclusion--how does it work Flexibility in scheduling Flexibility in grouping Adapt curriculum –Material & cues –Sequence & rules –Levels of support

How Do You Deal With...

How does one get into Special Ed? The child is identified The child is evaluated Disability determination IEP meeting—Admission, Review, and Dismissal meeting ARD is held and child is admitted A year long plan with goals and objectives is created included related services The next year the plan is evaluated Every 3 years, full individual assessment is done for determination of eligibility

Assessment A process of collecting data for the purpose of making decisions about individuals and groups Observation Referrals Screenings Full Individual Evaluation (FIE) –Every 3 years

Admission, Review, & Dismissal meeting Committee consists of: –Parent* –Special educator* –General Education teacher* –Administrator* –Related services –Diagnostician

Individualized Education Plan Created by an ARD (admission, review, and dismissal) committee By law, every child with an exceptionality is to have an IEP Must have –A disability –Long-term goals –Short term objectives –Services –Grading criteria

Courts  Duty of the courts to rule on the interpretation of the laws and regulation generated by the executive and legislative branch.  Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania  First landmark case for FAPE Mills v. the Board of Education  Money is not an excuse not to provide services Larry P. v. Riles  Laws to make it more difficult to label a disability

ARD Meeting Brenda is 3 years old. She has C.H.A.R.G.E. She has vision problem and turn her head to look at things. She wears a hearing aid but has malformed ears and ear canals and the aids won’t stay on. She is tube fed and has 24 hour nursing care. She requires oxygen and daily medications. Brenda also just learned how to walk with a walker but mainly scoots around the floor.