when things aren’t going well in school…

When Things Aren’t Going Well in School…

Andrea LeeTransitions Project DirectorNAMI Minnesota

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Dr. Charlene Myklebust, Psy.D.Director on Special AssignmentIntermediate District 287

Adele W. Ciriacy, Jr.Due Process SpecialistDivision of Compliance and AssistanceMinnesota Department of Education

GENERAL EDUCATION 504 ELIGIBLE

504 Plan

IEP

Students who have a Mental Health Disorder can be Served in the School in Many Ways

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Universal Intervention Pyramid

Tier Three

• Customized

• Targeted• Additional Time and Intensity

• Prevention• School-wide• All Students and Staff• Best First Instruction with Universal Access

Tier Two

Tier One

• All students have access• Progress monitoring• Research-based• Collaboration• High-quality instruction

• Customized

• Students that need additional targeted interventions.

Response to Instruction and InterventionAcademic and Behavioral

As a Parent You Always Have the Right to

ask the district (the school) to evaluate your child to see if he or she is eligible for a 504 Plan

or an IEP to help him or her learn.

Special Education is

Specially designed educational services for students who have a disability, implemented with the help of an individualized educational program

(IEP), developed through a legally specified process that changes district regularities.

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Both the product (an IEP-defined education) and the process are important.

If your Child has an IEP, You Always have the Right to

request an IEP meeting be scheduled. The district (school) must schedule and hold that meeting for you.

You may bring anyone to the meeting who has relevant information about your child’s education.

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When you go to an IEP meeting…

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You (parent or guardian)General Education TeacherSpecial education teacherAdministrator (or designee)

All the right peopleto find all the right pieces needed

to develop an appropriate IEP!

The people key to your child’s educationmust be there

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How do I make sure I’m a significant part of this process

without getting totally lost

or run overby the process

or the schoolor the people

with whomI’m dealing?

Participate. Kindly. Firmly.

“This is what I’ve seen.”

“Here’s what I’d like you to do.”“This is why I’m concerned.”

“I’m notsure you heard what

I said. May I sayit again?”

“Could you pleaserepeat that?”

“Did you mean:..?”

“How can I help?”

“Can you help?”

“I don’t understand. Would you please

explain that again?”

This is a Collaborative Team Decision-Making Process

The IEP is written at/from this meeting. Never before the meeting!This is extremely important!!

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Always keepyour papers!

Go to all themeetings towhich you

are invited!

Organization Helps!

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fromevaluation data

to needs

to goals

to objectives

to service

to placement.

The IEP Must be Internally Consistent

(Never start with placement!)

Special Education requiresEducational Benefit

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The student must show educational progress.

The district is accountable to the parents through progress reports.

The team determines how and when progress reports are given to the parent.

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The IEP Manager is your primary contact and ‘first line of defense.’

If your IEP manager can’t help, call your Special Education Director.

And advocates can help! • National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) 888-NAMI-Helps(1-888-626-4435) or 651-645-2948

• MN Assoc. for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH) 800-528-4511 or 651-644-7333

• PACER Center 1.800.537.2237 or 952.838.9000

There are Resources

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ConciliationNeutral Facilitation

MediationDue Process Hearing

Complaint Investigation

And if disagreements happen resolution is through…

There are Built in Processes

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Division of Compliance and Assistance1500 Hwy. 36 West, Roseville, MN 55113

Adele CiriacyDue Process SpecialistPhone: 651.582.8249Fax: 651-582-8725Email: adele.ciriacy@state.mn.us

Patricia McGinnis MNSEMS CoordinatorPhone: 651.582.8222Fax: 651.582.8498Email: patricia.mcginnis@state.mn.us

Pamela HinzeDue Process Hearing Phone: 651.582.8518Fax: 651.582.8613Email: pamela.hinze@state.mn.us

There are People at MDE who Can Help

When Things Aren’t Going Well in School…

there is help to work them out

Andrea LeeTransitions Project DirectorNAMI Minnesota

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Dr. Charlene Myklebust, Psy.D.Director on Special AssignmentIntermediate District 287

Adele W. Ciriacy, Jr.Due Process SpecialistDivision of Compliance and AssistanceMinnesota Department of Education