1. 1 An Introduction to Special Education 행복 세미나 Life Care Counseling Center

2. 2 Session Objectives Understand the meaning of “a free and appropriate education” Understand the basic provisions of IDEA Recognize and understand the components of the Individualized Educational Program (IEP) Understand how you can partner with the schools

3. 3 What is I.D.E.A? Individuals with Disabilities Education Act The federal law intended to ensure every child with a disability receives an education that meets his special needs and prepares him for employment and independent living.

4. 4 Who is eligible for special ed? Children with mental retardation, autism, serious emotional disturbance, orthopedic and sensory impairments, other serious health impairments, traumatic brain injury, and specific learning disabilities.

5. 5 What does IDEA provide? Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) Placement in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) A Fair Assessment Parent Involvement

6. 6 What is a FAPE? Parents need not pay for their child’s education, and the program developed for the child should be based on individual assessment and planning process and child should benefit from it.

7. 7 What does LRE mean? To the extent possible, the child should be educated in the least restrictive environment – along side children without disabilities. It is intended to provide maximum interaction between children with disabilities and typical children.

8. 8 Some options for LRE: From less to more restrictive: General education (regular classroom) General education with supports Special day class Special education center Non-public school Residential school

9. 9 What is a fair assessment? Standardized tests that are fair for the child and observations by professionals are used as the basis for the development of an individualized educational program. An assessment must occur at least every 3 years.

10. 10 What is assessed? Speech and language Auditory and visual perception Adaptive behavior Achievement Aptitude or intelligence Social-emotional status Other factors that may affect the child’s school performance

11. 11 What is parent involvement? Parents are expected to be an active participant in their child’s education. At a minimum, this means being involved in the development of the child’s individualized educational program and supporting its implementation.

12. 12 What is the IEP? Individualized Educational Program- The written document that guides the student’s education. It states what the child will be taught, how it will be taught, and how the child will be supported in the learning environment.

13. 13 What’s in the IEP ? 1.Present level of functioning 2.Annual long-term goals 3.Classroom placement and how much child will be included in regular school program 4.Related services (speech, behavior, counseling, etc) 5.Evaluation and review

14. 14 Development of the IEP Special considerations: The strengths of the child; Parents’ concerns for enhancing child’s education Results of the child’s most recent evaluation The child’s academic developmental and functional needs Positive behavioral interventions, supports where behaviors impede learning The child’s language or communication needs Assistive technology needs

15. 15 Who’s on the team? Parents A regular education teacher of the child if the child participates in regular education A special education teacher of the child A representative of the educational agency A person who can interpret instructional implications of the evaluations Others with knowledge of the child or special expertise When appropriate, the child.

16. 16 IDEA’s Guarantee The child is entitled to any service that is required for him to benefit from the educational program, even if the service is not specifically educational in nature.

17. 17 What does DIS mean? Designated Instruction and Services, usually called DIS, include any service or support needed by the child to achieve educational benefit from his or her program. For example: OT/PT/Speech Support Aides Adaptive PE Assistive technology

18. 18 Related Services A wide variety of services including: Transportation Recreation, including therapeutic recreation Counseling Orientation and mobility services

19. 19 Children with ADHD Small classroom size (RSP, SDC) Preferential seating (near the teacher away from any distraction) Extended time and quiet room for tests Modified instruction and homework Use of computer Providing class notes

20. 20 Children with Emotional Disturbance DIS counseling from school psychologist AB3632 referral to Department of Mental Health for assessment and additional services Special Day class (SDC) or non public school (NPS If serious, Residential placement for 24 hour intensive care

21. 21 Children with Learning Disability Classroom setting (RSP, SDC, NPS) Hands on learning (smart board) Modified instruction, books on tape Note taker Zero period for additional support After school tutoring

22. 22 Timelines for IEP Development Written assessment plan within 15 days of referral or parent’s written request Parents have 15 days to consent to assessment Assessment completed and IEP meeting held within 60 days If no assessment is required, IEP meeting held within 30 days IEP should be implemented immediately

23. 23 Being an Effective Team Member Keep good records Team up with your child’s teacher Learn about the possible classroom settings for your child Develop your own goals for your child’s IEP Be prepared for the IEP meeting Consider inviting your HRC counselor to the IEP team meeting

24. 24 Parents’ Rights in the IEP Process Receive written notice about the meeting Have meeting at a convenient time and place Invite other people to attend Have an interpreter present, if needed Present information and participate equally in developing the IEP

25. 25 Additional Rights Receive a copy of the IEP in parents’ primary language Have the IEP reviewed annually Have IEP put in place as soon as possible after they agree with the plan

26. 26 Parents may disagree about…. The child’s eligibility for special education IEP goals Child’s placement or services he or she receives

27. 27 Ways to Resolve Disagreement Discussion with school district or SELPA personnel Informal dispute resolution (IDR) Mediation Due process

28. 28 What is mediation? Prior to a fair hearing: A trained mediator is sent by the state to work with parents and school district to try to resolve the disagreement. The mediator has no power to force either side to do anything. Either side may request this process. Both sides must agree on it for it to occur.

29. 29 What is due process? Formal s teps, taken if the parents disagree with the school about what should be in the IEP. Due process is designed to protect the rights of parents.

30. 30 Signing the IEP Parents should not sign an IEP until they have read it. Parents may sign only those parts of the IEP with which they do agree.

31. 31 Helpful Resources Life Care Counseling Center: (818) 903-4455; www.lifecarecounseling.org www.lifecarecounseling.org Learning Rights Law Center: (213) 489-4030 Disability Rights California: http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/Issu es/index.htm Under Special Education http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/Issu es/index.htm