what is special education? how does a student qualify for services?
TRANSCRIPT
Student ServicesESU #2
Fremont, NEKristi Arlt, ILCD & Special Ed. Consultant
Special Education Questions:
What is special education?
How does a student qualify for services?
SAT ~ Student Assistance Team
Check with your district to see if they have their own SAT forms and process
www.esu2.org website› Listed under “Professional Development”› “Student Assistance Teams”› On left, click on arrow “SAT Forms”› “General SAT Forms”
School-Age Referrals
Student need is recognized Student Assistance Team (SAT) referral
› Contact SAT chair Refer to school’s individual SAT or Problem
Solving Team process Record interventions attempted before referral If interventions are not successful, then refer for
further evaluation
Special Education Questions:
What is an MDT?› Multidisciplinary Team
What is an IEP?› Individualized Education Program
What is an IFSP?› Individualized Family Service Plan
IFSP ~ Early Childhood
Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP)› Birth up to age 3
to address family needs
› Meet at least 2 times per year› Year-round services› Transition to an IEP at age 3 without a break in
services
IEP ~ Ages 3 to 21 years old
Individualized Education Program 3-21 years of age Meet at least 1 time per year A Regular Education teacher must be in
attendance Discuss the educational needs of the student
Questions you may have about special education:
Am I required to attend MDTs, IEPs or IFSPs?
If invited, do I have to attend?
Who attends MDTs, IEPs, or IFSPs?
IEP T
EA
M M
EM
BER
S
Make every effort to attend meetings of your students, as you are their role model and it does make a difference if they know you care.
IEP Team
Teachers/ Administrator
/ Providers
Parents/ Guardians Student
Special Education Questions:
What is my role at an MDT, IEP & IFSP?
How long does an MDT, IEP & IFSP meeting last?
How long is the document good for?
How can I be prepared for the meeting?› Information I should bring
WH
AT D
O I N
EED
TO
BR
ING
TO
TH
E IE
P
Positive, positive, positive! Students and parents already know there are learning difficulties so try to put a positive outlook on what you are thinking.
• Always have several strengths• Parents need to hear positive about
their childStrengths
• Thinking of the student's educational needs, address them in a caring format
Needs/Areas of Concern
• What do you want the student to be able to accomplish in your class?
• Accommodations/Modifications
Possible Goals
Special Education Questions:
How do I know who has an IEP?
What if I am unable to attend the meeting? What are my responsibilities?
TEA
M PA
RTIC
IPATIO
N There are ways that you are able to participate if you are physically unable to attend a meeting.
In Person
PhoneSKYPE
Special Education Questions:
How do I know what the goals are of the student?
How do I know what accommodations & modifications I can give?
How can I include special education students in my classroom?
Special Education Questions:
If I have a new student who has an IEP in my class, how can I find out the student’s needs?
What should I do if accommodations or modifications are not working?
What do I need to do if I have concerns with a student who is not verified with a disability?
STR
EN
GTH
S &
CO
NC
ER
NS Our goal with ALL students should be to make them as
independent as possible.
Student is doing well
Contiue accommodations &
modifications
Work with Sped teacher & possibly begin making the
student more independent
Student is struggling
Talk with Sped teacher & try new strategies. Possibly
incorporate tech tools or build on the student's strengths
May need to reconvene the IEP if accommodations &/or modifications
are not working
Special Education Questions:
Reasons why I need to keep parents informed:
What are the different verified disability verifications?
Verified Disability CategoriesVerified Disability titles may be changing in
spring of 2014 when the new Rule 51 is adopted.
1. Autism (AU)2. Behavioral Disorder (BD)3. Deaf-Blindness (DB)4. Developmental Delay (DD)5. Hearing Impairment (HI)6. Mental Handicap (MH)7. Multiple Impairments (MI)8. Orthopedic Impairment (OI)9. Other Health Impairment (OHI)10. Specific Learning Disability (SLD)11. Speech-Language Impairment (SLI)12. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)13. Visual Impairment including Blindness (VI)
Accommodations
Change HOW:
Information is presented
Student demonstrates
learning
DO NOT change the content or level of the lesson
Accommodations can include changes in:
Instructional strategies ~ Time/Scheduling ~ Equipment
Presentation and/or response format
How a student accesses information & demonstrates learning
Supports or services that are provided to help a student access the general curriculum & demonstrate learning.
Accommodations:
These changes should assist access for the students but NOT lower the standard or the requirements of the course
DO NOT change or alter what is being measured
Accommodations do not reduce learning expectations, they provide access
Provide equal access to learning and an equal opportunity to show what a students knows and can do
Must meet same grading standards as non-disabled peers
Examples of Accommodations
Modifications
Changes Made toCurriculum &
Activities
Amount to Learn Difficulty Content of Skills
DO change the content and/or level of the lesson.
Modifications include changes in:
Instructional level ~ Content ~ Performance Criteria
Modifications are changes in what a student is expected to learn
Practices that change, lower, or reduce learning expectations
Alter what is being measured
Substantial changes in the way assignments & tests are given or taken
Are changes made to provide opportunities to participate meaningfully and productively
Do require a student to learn less material
Do reduce assignments & assessment expectations
Examples of Modifications
ConfidentialityOnly find out information about students in your classes
Avoid talking about students with/around: Other students Parents Substitute/volunteers Other staff
Don’t discuss students in public places –even with the parents
Maintain files securely
Be care with e-mail and what you write
Do NOT share information with others
ConfidentialityProtect information about student’s:Diagnosis
Supports and services
Assessments
Medical History
Progress and achievement
Behavior
Family
Questions???
My contact information is:
Kristi ArltStudent Services at ESU #2
[email protected] ext 236