1. The Special Education Process By Christine Shaw

2.  Anyone can make a referral (ages 2.5-21).  Referral received in writing.  School has 15 days to “dispose” of the referral.

3.  Parents/guardians, teacher, special educator,  LEA, school psychologist,  Speech pathologist, occupational therapist, ABA providers/BCBA, physical therapists, mobility specialists, teacher of the Deaf or hearing impaired, teacher of the blind,  And others where appropriate (e.g. guidance counselor).

4.  Team collects and reviews all of the information and concerns  Determines whether a comprehensive evaluation is warranted.  Other choices: initial screening, RtI, or to wait for other medical or evaluation information (e.g. a child with a history of ear infections getting tubes or tonsils/adenoids removed).  Parent permission needed to evaluate.

5.  Must be completed in 45 calendar days  One 15 day extension with written parent permission  Shows strengths and weaknesses  If parents disagree with evaluations (request an independent evaluation at public expense or pay for their own independent evaluation).

6.  Team reviews evaluation results  Determines if the child is eligible for special education :  Determine category of Disability  Autism Deaf-Blindness Deafness Developmental Delay Emotional Disturbance Hearing Impairment Intellectual Disability (formerly MR) Multiple Disabilities Orthopedic Impairment Other Health Impairment Specific Learning Disability Speech and Language Impairment Traumatic Brain Injury Visual Impairment  Disability must impact them educationally and require special education

7.  Team has 30 days to meet and develop and IEP  IEP is reviewed annually  IEP is revised as needed  Must be in place for school year  Parent has 14 days to sign: agree, disagree or agree with exception

8.  IEP signed by both parents and school district  IEP team determines the LRE to implement the IEP  30 days to determine placement

9. Early Childhood ProgramA preschool child with a disability attends an early childhood program Home SettingIs defined as a program when child age 3-5 receives some or all of his/her special education and related services in the child’s home Special Education ProgramA preschool child with a disability attends a special education program Service Provider LocationA child with a disability receives supports and services from a service provider A Separate School SettingIs defined as a program where a child age 3-5 receives all of his/her special education and related services in educational programs in public or private day schools designed specifically for children with disabilities. Residential FacilityA preschool child with a disability attends a publicly or privately operated residential school or residential medical facility on an inpatient basis.

10. Regular ClassroomA child with a disability attends regular class with supports and services required in the IEP. Regular Classroom with consultative assistanceA child with a disability attends a regular class with assistance being provided to the classroom teacher by consulting specialists Regular Classroom with Assistance by SpecialistsA child with a disability attends regular class with services provided by specialists. Regular classroom with Resource room helpA child with a disability attends a regular class and receives assistance at or through the resource room program. Regular Classroom plus Part-time Special ClassA child with a disability attends a regular class and a self- contained special education classroom. Full-time Special ClassA child with a disability attends a self-contained special class full-time Full-time or part-time special day schoolA child with a disability attends a publicly or privately operated special day program full-time or part-time Full-time Residential Placement Home Instruction Hospital or Institution A child with a disability attends a publicly or privately operated residential program full-time A child with a disability receives all or a portion of her/his special education program at home in accordance with ED 1115.05 A child with a disability receives special education while in a hospital or institution.

11.  Progress reports (how/when reported)  Annual revisions as needed  Annual review  Re-evaluation at least once every 3 years unless parent and school district agree it is not needed  Or sooner if parent requests it sooner

12.  Participation in all meetings as a member of the IEP team  Right to invite other parties to attend the IEP meeting (ESS, family members, outside service provider).  Receive information in a way that is understandable  Be provided with a translator or interpreter, if needed  Request an IEP meeting and have the meeting held within 21 days or be given written prior notice as to why the school will not schedule the meeting  Give, withhold, or revoke written consent

13.  Access their child’s educational records  For children 2 years old, receiving ESS, an IEP in place by the child’s 3 rd birthday  Be notified about important decisions regarding their child’s education (Written Prior Notice)  Receive written notice of IEP meetings 10 days before the meeting (waiver form)  Request and be given access to information 5 days prior to an IEP meeting  File a complaint, request a facilitated IEP meeting, mediation, a neutral conference or a due process hearing

14.  http://nichcy.org/schoolage/steps 10 steps in special education http://nichcy.org/schoolage/steps  http://nichcy.org/schoolage/keyterms key terms http://nichcy.org/schoolage/keyterms  http://idea.ed.gov/ http://idea.ed.gov/  http://www.education.nh.gov/instruction/special_ed/doc uments/nh_rules_2012_web.pdf http://www.education.nh.gov/instruction/special_ed/doc uments/nh_rules_2012_web.pdf  http://www.education.nh.gov/instruction/special_ed/pro ceduralsafeguards.htm http://www.education.nh.gov/instruction/special_ed/pro ceduralsafeguards.htm  Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act 2004 - Federal Law  NH Rules for the Education of Children with Disabilities 2008 –State Law  Procedural Safeguards is based on IDEA and the NH Rules