SPECIAL EDucation FAQ
Index:
What is the process? What can I expect?
What does it mean to be "found eligible" for special education?
What does an IEP Include?
What will be different for my child if he/she is found eligible?
What if I don't agree with the team's recommendations?
Can I ask for changes to the IEP?
How do I know how if my child is learning what they need to learn?
Will they always be in special education?
What services are available?
What is the process? What can I expect?
1)Domain meeting/Domain paperwork:
When we use the word "domain", we are referring to a list of 8 different area that impact a student's academic growth. These include: Academic Achievement,, Functional Performance, Cognitive Functioning, Communication Status, Health, Hearing and Vision, Motor Abilities and Social/Emotional Status. We will identify what information we have about the student (from educational records, teacher information, general observations and parent report). This will allow us, as a team-including parents- to determine what further information is needed to develop educational programing for your child. After reviewing what information is requested and how it will be gathered, parents may or may not provide permission for the school district to gather this information. Consent to conduct the evaluation does not mean that you are consenting to any special education services or placement--they are considered two separate things.
2) Evaluation process
We have 60 school days to gather all the information requested. During that time, we will be working with your student directly and indirectly. We will likely be gathering information by assessing your child directly, talking to you, observing your child within the school environment, and talking to his/her teachers. If at any point, you have questions, please feel free to contact us. However, we may not be able to give you full answers until all the information has been gathered.
3) Eligibility meeting
Within 60 days of your consent for the evaluation, we must re-meet to review the results and determine your child's eligibility for special education (see What does it mean to be "found eligible" for special education?). If you child is found eligible, an IEP will likely be created at that meeting. (See What does an IEP Include?) Prior to implementing this IEP (i.e. providing any services or changing programs/curriculum), you must give your consent. At this point, you have the option to refuse any services suggested.
4) IEP updates
When report cards are distributed, you will be provided with updates on your child's performance on each of their IEP goals.
5) Annual review
For students with active IEPs, at least once per calendar year your child's educational team will meet (including you as parents) to determine if IEP goals were met. Based on their performance, a new IEP will be written. This will include new goals, classroom accommodations and minutes of service (as needed).
6) Reevaluation
Every three years, the educational team-- including parents-- must meet to determine what current information exists and if new information should be gather to decide if the student continues to be eligible for special education and what their educational programming/services should look like.
What does it mean to be "found eligible" for special education?
-The federal government has given criteria for 13 disability categories. A student's educational team, which may include a psychologist, intervention teacher, speech pathologist, social worker, occupational therapist, general education teacher, administrator and parents, will look at all the information available to determine if a student meets the criteria laid out for a specific disability. Then, the team must determine if there is an "adverse educational impact", or if the disability is impacting his/her educational performance.
If a student both 1) meet disability criteria and 2) demonstrates an adverse effect, he/she is eligible for an individualized education plan (IEP) (aka- special education).
What does an IEP Include?
Present Level of Performance: We identify your child's strengths, your concerns and their current level of skills
Goals: Measurable goals for each deficit skills area are created. These goals are set for one calendar year.
Program/Minutes: Based on your child's needs, the number of minutes that the student will be provided support is established. Looking at the whole child and his/her level of need, the appropriate placement will be determined after considering all options.
Accommodations: Knowing your child's needs and their educational environment, accommodations required to allow your child to access their education will be identified.
What will be different for my child if he/she is found eligible?
Dependent on your child's skill deficits, he or she will begin to receive additional services (see What services are available?)
What services are available?
Services provided within the Hawthorn School District include, but are not limited to: social work, speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, behavior support, special education academic support, adaptive PE, vision support, hearing support, assistive technology and health services. Additional supports and services are available for students who are educated outside of our district buildings.
To have access to the majority of these services, your child's evaluation must show deficit which adversely affects their educational performance.
What if I don't agree with the team's recommendations?
Please refer to the "Procedural Safeguards" link found under Parent Resources---> Special Education.
At Aspen, and within the Hawthorn School District, we pride ourselves on our ability and desire to create a true educational team that values and seeks parents' concerns, information,
Can I ask for changes to the IEP?
How do I know how if my child is learning what they need to learn?
Will they always be in special education?
What is the process? What can I expect?
What does it mean to be "found eligible" for special education?
What does an IEP Include?
What will be different for my child if he/she is found eligible?
What if I don't agree with the team's recommendations?
Can I ask for changes to the IEP?
How do I know how if my child is learning what they need to learn?
Will they always be in special education?
What services are available?
What is the process? What can I expect?
1)Domain meeting/Domain paperwork:
When we use the word "domain", we are referring to a list of 8 different area that impact a student's academic growth. These include: Academic Achievement,, Functional Performance, Cognitive Functioning, Communication Status, Health, Hearing and Vision, Motor Abilities and Social/Emotional Status. We will identify what information we have about the student (from educational records, teacher information, general observations and parent report). This will allow us, as a team-including parents- to determine what further information is needed to develop educational programing for your child. After reviewing what information is requested and how it will be gathered, parents may or may not provide permission for the school district to gather this information. Consent to conduct the evaluation does not mean that you are consenting to any special education services or placement--they are considered two separate things.
2) Evaluation process
We have 60 school days to gather all the information requested. During that time, we will be working with your student directly and indirectly. We will likely be gathering information by assessing your child directly, talking to you, observing your child within the school environment, and talking to his/her teachers. If at any point, you have questions, please feel free to contact us. However, we may not be able to give you full answers until all the information has been gathered.
3) Eligibility meeting
Within 60 days of your consent for the evaluation, we must re-meet to review the results and determine your child's eligibility for special education (see What does it mean to be "found eligible" for special education?). If you child is found eligible, an IEP will likely be created at that meeting. (See What does an IEP Include?) Prior to implementing this IEP (i.e. providing any services or changing programs/curriculum), you must give your consent. At this point, you have the option to refuse any services suggested.
4) IEP updates
When report cards are distributed, you will be provided with updates on your child's performance on each of their IEP goals.
5) Annual review
For students with active IEPs, at least once per calendar year your child's educational team will meet (including you as parents) to determine if IEP goals were met. Based on their performance, a new IEP will be written. This will include new goals, classroom accommodations and minutes of service (as needed).
6) Reevaluation
Every three years, the educational team-- including parents-- must meet to determine what current information exists and if new information should be gather to decide if the student continues to be eligible for special education and what their educational programming/services should look like.
What does it mean to be "found eligible" for special education?
-The federal government has given criteria for 13 disability categories. A student's educational team, which may include a psychologist, intervention teacher, speech pathologist, social worker, occupational therapist, general education teacher, administrator and parents, will look at all the information available to determine if a student meets the criteria laid out for a specific disability. Then, the team must determine if there is an "adverse educational impact", or if the disability is impacting his/her educational performance.
If a student both 1) meet disability criteria and 2) demonstrates an adverse effect, he/she is eligible for an individualized education plan (IEP) (aka- special education).
What does an IEP Include?
Present Level of Performance: We identify your child's strengths, your concerns and their current level of skills
Goals: Measurable goals for each deficit skills area are created. These goals are set for one calendar year.
Program/Minutes: Based on your child's needs, the number of minutes that the student will be provided support is established. Looking at the whole child and his/her level of need, the appropriate placement will be determined after considering all options.
Accommodations: Knowing your child's needs and their educational environment, accommodations required to allow your child to access their education will be identified.
What will be different for my child if he/she is found eligible?
Dependent on your child's skill deficits, he or she will begin to receive additional services (see What services are available?)
What services are available?
Services provided within the Hawthorn School District include, but are not limited to: social work, speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, behavior support, special education academic support, adaptive PE, vision support, hearing support, assistive technology and health services. Additional supports and services are available for students who are educated outside of our district buildings.
To have access to the majority of these services, your child's evaluation must show deficit which adversely affects their educational performance.
What if I don't agree with the team's recommendations?
Please refer to the "Procedural Safeguards" link found under Parent Resources---> Special Education.
At Aspen, and within the Hawthorn School District, we pride ourselves on our ability and desire to create a true educational team that values and seeks parents' concerns, information,
Can I ask for changes to the IEP?
How do I know how if my child is learning what they need to learn?
Will they always be in special education?