Archive for category Special Education Process
Special Education Advocates Role in Advocating For Children With Disabilities
Posted by admin in Special Education Process on August 5, 2011
Are you the parent of a child with autism or other disability? Would you like to know what an advocate does in the special education process? Do you wonder if a special education advocate could help you in fighting for needed services, for your child? This article will explain what the role of a special education advocate is, and whether they could help you advocate for a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for your child.
There is currently no certification for special education advocates! This is the reason why it is sometimes difficult to find one that is knowledgeable, and has expertise in special education.
The role of a special education advocate is to:
1. Have a working knowledge of state and federal laws that cover special education, and know how to use them to advocate for children. Federal law is Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Each state is required to have a law that must comply with IDEA.
2. Understand different types of disabilities and have experience advocating for children of different disabilities
3. Take time to know the child, and work with the parent to determine what services and placement a child needs, and advocate for them! This may require the parent getting an independent educational evaluation with a qualified evaluator.
4. Educate parents as to research based practices, as well as best practices. IDEA requires, that curriculum and programs be scientifically research based, which parents need to understand. Read the rest of this entry »
Beginning the Special Education Process
Posted by admin in Special Education Process on August 5, 2011
Like anything else in life, there’s a method to the special education process. It was put in place to help people who deal with learning disabilities get the best services possible. In order to help you understand this method, here’s a simplified version of the Special Education process. 1) Request for evaluation Someone sees that the child is having difficulty in school and asks that testing be done to find out what’s causing the problem. This request can come from parents or educators. If the parents make the request, the district must agree to give a full and individual evaluation. If the request is made from someone else, such as a teacher, a team of educators and an administrator will meet to review the reasons and decide whether to pursue testing. No matter who makes the request, you as the parent, must give written permission for this testing to be done. At this point, you will be informed of your rights and those of your child. If the district decides not to test, then it must let you know that and inform you of your rights. You can continue to pursue the option through a due process hearing if you wish. 2) Results of the testing You have the right to be notified of the results of the testing before the meeting. If you don’t understand what is being said in the report, you have the right to have someone explain the results to you.
When the testing is done, you will meet with the team of professionals to be told of the results. If your child is found to have a learning disability, and you agree that he should receive special education services, then you must give written permission for this to happen.
If he is not found to have a learning disability, you and his teachers will still have valuable information about him and the ways he learns best. Read the rest of this entry »