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What Every Parent (and Teacher) Needs To Know About Special Education

What Every Parent (and Teacher) Needs To Know About Special Education. Online Workshop By Linda Venekamp. What is Special Education?.

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What Every Parent (and Teacher) Needs To Know About Special Education

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  1. What Every Parent (and Teacher) Needs To Know About Special Education Online Workshop By Linda Venekamp

  2. What is Special Education? Special education is a combination of educational programming and techniques and related services that allows individuals with exceptionalities to meet their maximum potential.

  3. Brief History • Section 504 (1973) • PL 94-142 (1975) • IDEA Amendments (1986) • American Disabilities Act (1990) • IDEA Reauthorization (1997)

  4. Basic Federally Guaranteed Rights And Protections • Nondiscriminatory educational evaluation • Free, appropriate public education • Least restrictive environment • Related services • IEP • Parent’s rights

  5. What are the Laws concerning special education? The Federal law providing for special education services is commonly called IDEA. IDEA collectively refers to the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act together with the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997. The purpose of the Federal law is to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education. All states, establish their own system of special education and meeting the Federal mandates.

  6. Section 504 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights act enacted to prevent discrimination against disabled individuals. Section 504 affects all programs that receive Federal funds, including public schools. Section 504 covers many students who do not meet the requirements of IDEA.

  7. IDEA The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), P.L. 101-476, formerly the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, P.L. 94-142, is federal law which guarantees all children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21 the right to a free appropriate public education designed to meet their individual needs.

  8. 1986 Amendments The Education of the Handicapped Amendments of 1986, P.L. 99-457, extended services to children from birth. This law was reauthorized in 1991 and amended as part H of the IDEA. This new law is known as P.L. 102-119, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Amendments of 1991. This legislation extends services to children from birth to age three but not the right to an appropriate public education.

  9. American Disabilities Act, 1990 The American Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is known as Public Law 101-336. The ADA requires that "no individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation."

  10. 1997 Reauthorization In June of 1997 IDEA was reauthorized. The reauthorization is known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendment of 1997. The discipline provisions of the reauthorized IDEA were effective immediately. The other provisions of the reauthorized act are phased in and are not necessarily of immediate concern.

  11. Who is eligible for special education and related services? In order to be eligible for special education and related services, a child must not have graduated from high school and be no more than twenty-one (21) years old at the beginning of the school year, and have one or more of the following conditions: • Continued on next slide

  12. a.Multiple Disabilities b. Deaf-Blindness c. Hearing Impairments d. Visual Impairments e. Speech-Language Disabilities f. Orthopedic Impairments g. Other Health Impairments h. Serious Emotional Disturbance i. Mental Retardation j. Specific Learning Disability k. Child with a Disability (to age 9) l. Autism m. Traumatic Brain injury Categories Children who suffer from ADHD or ADD may be eligible for services under one of the above categories or may be served under Section 504 of the the Rehabilitation Act or the ADA.

  13. Referral If you believe that your child meets any of the above categories, you should refer your child for evaluation. It is not necessary to know for sure that your child qualifies. It is only necessary that you, in good faith, believe that your child falls into one or more of the categories and is in need of services.

  14. A simple letter sets the ball in motion. Within 30 days, the school district must contact the parent If the letter contains a consent to test, the school district has 90 days to complete the evaluation The letter does not need to address specific educational difficulties It does not need to address a specific type of intervention How to make a referral Many school districts have a referral form that the parent or teacher may fill out.

  15. Testing The federal regulations require that at a minimum the child is assessed in all areas related to the suspected disability, including, if appropriate, health, vision, hearing, social and emotional status, general intelligence, academic performance, communication status, and motor abilities. This testing is typically called multifactor testing.

  16. What is an IEP? • An Individual Education Program (IEP) is a written statement setting out the special education plan for the child. • The IEP should include • a statement of the type of services to be provided, • educational goals, • educational adaptations, and • other special issues appropriate for the child.

  17. Least Restrictive Environment In selecting the educational environment, consideration should be given to the least restrictive environment. To the maximum extent appropriate, handicapped children are educated with children who are not handicapped. Special classes, separate schooling, or environment should occur only when the nature or severity of the handicap is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.

  18. Continuum of Alternative Placements 1. Regular classes 2. Supplemental services 3. Individual/small group instruction 4. Special class/learning center located in a. A public school building b. A separate school in the school district c. A separate facility outside the school district 5. Home/ hospital instruction.

  19. Assistive/Adaptive Technology Modern technology is making it easier for exceptional people to do ordinary things. To learn about technological advances for special needs people, refer to: • Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities • DakotaLink • DSU Campus School- Resource Room

  20. What is my role and responsibilities? • Including Your Child • Access Unlimited

  21. Due Process • What Are Your Rights, as a Parent, in the Special Education Process? • Know Your Rights

  22. Where to find help • Support system • Family Village Coffee Shop • E-mail Discussion Lists • Legal services • Parent advocate programs • Mentor programs

  23. Internet Resources for Parents • Parent Pals • Frequently Asked Questions

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