Special Education Resources Hello, My name is Amy Mathews and I am studying to be a special education teacher. I am presenting some valuable information for parents who have children with exceptional needs who may not know much about special education and the resources available to them.

Special Education IDEA RIT IEP LRE Services Available

IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act This is a federal law that ensures that all children or young adult with a disability, have a right to a free public education. The child and parent have the right to consent for testing and have a due process hearing if they disagree with the labeling or placement of their child. If parents are unknown, then child has a right to have someone advocate in their best interest. The child has the right to be educated in the least restrictive environment. The child will have an IEP designed for them based upon their disability, levels of functions, and goals. The child will be evaluated in all areas and not biased on language, culture, or disability. The results of testing and placement are kept confidential, parents have access to the records. Everyone who assistance with the child will have personnel development, to meet the needs of the student with disabilities. (Hallahan, D. 2015)

IDEA 2004 guarantees four basic rights to children with disabilities Free Appropriate Education Children with disabilities are entitled to a public education appropriate to their needs, at no cost to their families. Free Appropriate Education Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) If possible, children with disabilities must be educated with students who do not have disabilities and should attend the school that is closest to home. Supplementary Aids and Services Children with disabilities must be provided with support services that assist them in benefiting educationally from their instructional program. Assessment An assessment must be completed to determine the child’s needs. This may be done only with the parent’s informed written consent. (Hancock, M. 2009)written consent.

IDEA assures these rights are protected by: Individualized Education Program (IEP) The IEP must be written at least annually for all children with disabilities. The IEP team consists of those who have assessed the child, school support personnel, a school administrator, general and special education teachers and the child’s parents or legal guardian. Individualized Education Program (IEP) Due Process: Due process rights ensure that no changes can be made in a child’s program without prior notice to the parents. Further, due process provides a mechanism for the resolution of disagreements. (Hancock, M. 2009) Due Process:

RIT Response to Intervention Refers to the student’s change, or lack of change, in academic performance or behavior as a result of instruction. Three-tiered response-to-intervention Tier 1 All students are screened to identify who is at risk for failure in a general education classroom and are monitored weekly. Tier 2 Students will receive more intensive instruction. (increase in frequency, length, small group) Teacher/Assistant regularly monitors progress. If unresponsive in Tier 2, then the student is referred for special education Tier 3 Student receives intensive interventions by special education professional and placement is based upon the IEP, with frequent monitoring. (Hallahan, D. 2015)

IEP Individualized Education Program A legal document that describes the educational services a student will receive. The IEP will consist of the present level of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP). It will state measurable annual goals, including academic and functional goals. It will have a description of how the child’s progress will be met, and measured. It will provide special education, related services and supplementary aids that the child will receive. It will provide a list of any appropriate accommodations that are needed to measure the academic achievement and functional performance on a standardized achievement assessments. Or a statement of why the child cannot participate in regular assessments. (Hallahan, D. 2015)

IEP Con’d Five Important Steps to the IEP Process 1. Referral for a Special Education Evaluation 2. The Evaluation 3. Determining Eligibility 4. Writing the Individual Education Program 5. The IEP Meeting (Hancock, M. 2009)

LRE Least Restrictive Environment The student’s life should be normal as possible, and the intervention should be consistent with their needs; and not interfere with their freedom. Inclusion Teaching students with disabilities in the same classroom as their peers without disabilities. Peer Tutoring Peers who helps teach academic or social skills. Self-contained class Classroom with under fifteen students with similar disabilities or needs, with a special education teacher and at least two assistants. (Hallahan, D. 2015)

Services Available Family Resource Center on Disabilities frcd.org They offer IEP support, workshops about the IDEA process, and transition to adulthood. Special Education Guide specialeducationguide.com Offers links to support organizations for families. As well as links to assist with assistive technology, and learning disabilities. U.S Department of Education Parents/My Child’s Special Needs Disabilities It offers resources about : Technical Assistance and Dissemination Network Disability Discrimation Family & Advocates Partnership for Education Disabilities Information Center Parent Training and Information Centers

Services Con’d Pacer Center A financial resource for parents and children with disabilities. They also assist with: Understanding your child’s disability Resolving school related issues Obtaining appropriate educational services Improving academic outcomes National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education They offer resources with: Exceptional Children and Disability Information Special Education and The Law for Parents Resources for Parents Transition Services News and Events

Resources Hallahan, D Exceptional Learners. Pearson. Hancock, M Understanding Special Education. Understandingspecialeducation.com.