Special Education

A Reference for Law Related

Issues

A Dysart Quick Reference for Principals

How did we get here? A quick overview

Statutes - ● legislation created by federal and state legislatures

o federal law controls IDEA is federal lawRegulations - ● allow a statute to be implemented and are created by administrative

agencies (such as the State Department of Education) o Arizona’s interpretation of IDEA

Case law - ● is the written court decision that results from a lawsuit.

o there are both federal and state court decisionso driving force of most of our legal decisions

Education Laws

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973● a civil rights law

o all about accommodations - equal accessThe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)● a civil rights act, enacted after Section 504 act

o not providing accommodations = discriminationThe No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)● the most recent reauthurization of the Elementary and Secondary

Education Act (ESEA)o Teachers of student with special needs must be highly qualified

Education Laws - continued

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act● the education of public school children and youth experiencing

homelessnesso part of NCLB o schools must ensure homeless students have access to education

Focus on Children with Disabilities

Primary Eligibility● In Arizona, the categories of disability for children age 3 through 21 are:

o Autism (A)o Developmental Delay (DD)o Emotional Disability (ED)o Hearing Impairment (HI)o Intellectual Disability (MIID, MOID, SID)o Multiple Disabilities (MD)o Multiple Disabilities with Severe Sensory Impairment (MDSSI)o Orthopedic Impairment (OI)o Other Health Impairment (OHI)o Preschool Severe Delay (PSD)o Specific Learning Disability (SLD)o Speech and Language Impairment (SLI)o Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)o Visual Impairment (VI)

The FAPE Mandate

Any child found eligible with any of the above disabilities are entitled to a FAPE at the public's expense. ● FAPE is provided through an IEP developed by a team that includes the

Parent. o A parent must be given the opportunity to meaningfully participate in

the special education process.

Child Find

The IDEA obligates schools to locate, identify and evaluate all children with disabilities. ● Dysart has 3 primary methods for Child Find

o preschool screeningso 45 day screenerso RtI process

Evaluation - special education

2 types of special education evaluations● Initial evaluations

o follow a Review of Existing Data (RED)o 60 day timeline

in AZ - can extend 30 days with parental consent timeline begins the date the written request by parents or school

o Consent initiated by the school or parent Prior Written Notice (PWN) must be given to parent prior to

testing● if parents refuse consent - process is halted

Evaluation - special education cont.

● Re-evaluationso required every 3 years for children identifiedo follow a Review of Existing Data (RED)o 60 day timeline

in AZ - can extend 30 days with parental consent timeline begins following informed consent for testing

o Consent Prior Written Notice (PWN) must be given to parent prior to

testing● if parents refuse consent - process continues after

reasonable measure to include parents

Dysart Process for Evaluation - RED

A multidisciplinary (MET) team must conduct a Review of Existing Data (RED) prior to or in conjunction with any request for evaluation.

Student may be referred to the (MET) team by:● RtI team - child find process● Parents written request for testing● 504 team● DDD● IEP team for re-evaluation

Dysart Process for Evaluation - RED

● Review of existing data must include:o Current information provided by the student's parent(s)o Current classroom-based assessmentso Teacher and related service provider observationso Formal assessments such as state and district-wide assessments

● RED team determines if:o Additional data are needed

Issue PWN Obtain parent’s informed consent Conduct assessments as said in PWN

o Additional data are NOT needed Issue PWN Inform parents of right to request IEE Proceed to eligibility determination

Dysart Process for Evaluation - MET

Met team will report and interpret eligibility considerations:

● Upon review of all data the team will determine: o The present levels PLAAFPo The child's educational needso Additions or changes to the special education and related serviceso Are determinant factor is based on educational disadvantageo Are determinant factor is based on limited English proficiency

Dysart Process for Evaluation - MET

After completing a review of all evaluation data the MET team will determine:

● Whether the child has a disability● Whether the disability adversely affects the child's progress in the general

curriculum● Whether the child needs special education and related services

Following the MET - if found eligible - the child is referred to the IEP team

Key Roles in the Evaluation Process

Primary evaluator organizes the MET meeting● contacts parents and sends home meeting notice● facilitates the RED/MET meeting● interprets the results of all evaluations conducted● manages timelines

Primary evaluators include:● school psychologist● BCBA● speech langauge pathologist

Key Roles in the Evaluation Process

Required participants for RED/MET meeting● primary evaluator● parent● special educator● general educator● LEA representative -

o School Administratoro SPED lead teachero Psychologist

● related service provider (if there are areas of concern)

Independent Education Evaluation (IEE)

Parents have the right to disagree with the MET evaluation results. If parents disagree they are granted the right to an IEE.

● IEE’so are conducted by an outside independent, qualified evaluatoro are paid for by the school districto are interpreted by the MET team NOT the outside evaluator

Dysart process for an IEE

IEE requests are handled in the ESS office● Parents must request an IEE in writing stating the specific evaluation

results they are in disagreement with● Parents make select a qualified outside evaluator● ESS office issues a purchase order ● Parents make an appointment with outside evaluator for evaluations● Outside evaluator sends all evaluation results to the ESS office● ESS office provides a copy to the school MET team ● Primary evaluator organizes a MET meeting to interpret the results of the

IEE● MET interpretations are final

The Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

The IEP is written by an IEP team to ensure a child receives a FAPE. The IEP is a binding contract that describes the child’s educational plan and must be

followed without fail. When an IEP is not followed the school denies a child with a disability a FAPE.

The IEP team

The IEP team is a group of individuals charged with developing, reviewing, and revising the IEP and is required to consist of the following members:● The child - when appropriate (required after age 14)● The child’s parent● General education teacher● Special education teacher● LEA representative● Qualified person to interpret results● Related service providers (when services are outlined on the IEP)● The parent can invite outside agencies or persons knowledgeable about

the child and/or the IEP process

Dysart Process for the IEP Team

The following roles must be present at the IEP meeting:● The child’s parent● General education teacher● Special education teacher/Service Coordinator● LEA representative● Qualified person to interpret results● Related service providers (when services are outlined on the IEP)● The child - when appropriate (required after age 14)

Parents may bring outside agencies or advocates

Dysart Process for the IEP Team

If the parents invite an Educational Advocate:● The IEP team must have present:

o the Lead Special Education teacher ORo the ESS Coordinator ORo the ESS Director

If the parents invite Legal Council:● The IEP team must have present:

o the ESS Director ANDo District Legal Council

Key Roles in the IEP Team

● Service Coordinator (special education teacher)o Contact the parentso Coordinate the IEP meeting

provide a meeting notice with meeting purposeo Facilitate the IEP meetingo Facilitate the writing of the IEP

ensure that all providers input all relevant components ensure that data is present justifying all supports and services

o Coordinate training for IEP componentso Provide copies of the IEP to all relevant partieso Has knowledge of specially designed instructional strategies

Key Roles in the IEP Team - cont.

● General Education teachero Has knowledge of the general curriculumo Has knowledge of instructional strategies for allo Provides data regarding child’s progress in the general curriculumo Provides team with expectation of the general curriculumo Provides data on accommodations in the general curriculum

● LEA representativeo Is approved by the district to discuss the availability of resourceso Is knowledgeable of the general curriculum standardso Is knowledgeable of specially designed instruction

IEP Team Meetings

Schools are responsible for initiating and conducting meetings for the purpose of developing, reviewing, and

revising the IEPs of children with disabilities.

Dysart Process for IEP Meeting

The following must be completed by the Service Coordinator:● Meeting Notice

o Must be sent to parents at least 10 days prior to the IEP meeting Must contain the meeting purpose Must include the roles of the meeting participants

● Draft IEPo Must be sent to the parents at least 10 days prior to the IEP meeting

Must be marked at draft Must have parental input

● Prior Written Noticeo Must be given to parents prior to the start of IEP services

Dysart Expectation - IEP components

The IEP must have the following components:● PLAAFP

o Data to support child’s strengths and needs in each area● PLAAFP data drives measurable goals:

o Addresses the educational needs described in the PLAAFPo Goal data must address how progress data will be collected

● Goals drive service minutes● Statement of specially designed instruction● Explanation of the extent of time the child will participate with non disabled peer● Clearly defined accommodations● Beginning at age 16 - measurable postsecondary goals

o must be supported by a transition plan

Dysart Expectation - IEP considerations

The following special factors must also be considered:● Child’s behavior

o BIP● ELL or Limited English proficient

o Must consider language needs● Children who are hearing impaired

o Must consider use of sign language or interpreters● Children who are visually impaired

o Must consider use of Braille● Assistive technology needs● Extended School Year● Transportation

Dysart Expectation-Transportation STR

The Student Transportation Request (STR) is designed to ensure communication between schools and the transportation department.● STR must be completed for:

o Students who require transportation as a related service on their IEPo Students who are eligible under the McKinney-Vento acto Students who require transportation as part of their 504 plano Students who may have specialized transportation due to a legal

actionSTR’s must be completed by the IEP team defining the reason for specialized transportation prior to any transportation being routed

Delivery of Services

Specially Designed Instruction● Meets the unique needs of the child

o adapting appropriately● Uses specific methodology or delivery of instruction to address said needs

o MUST ensure access to the general curriculum Related Services● Assist the child in benefiting from special education services

o Transportationo Speech, OT, PTo Counseling/Psychological serviceso Audiology serviceso interpreting serviceso AdPEo Nursingo Orientation and Mobility

Dysart - Specially Designed Instruction

Students will be guaranteed specially designed instruction and research based instructional practices● Structured Teaching Classroom Models

o Discrete Trial Training (DTT)o Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)o TEAACH/PECS communication systemso Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports (PBIS)

● Supplemental Materialso General Education intervention kitso Read 180/System 44o Reading Mastery/Corrective Readingo Wilson Reading

Delivery of Services - cont.

Accommodations:● Ensures the child to access and demonstrate learning● Do NOT substantially change the instructional level, the content or the

performance criteriaModifications:● Substantially change the instructional level, the content and the

performance criteria● Addresses functional abilities of the child

Placement

Least Restrictive Environment:The IDEA’s Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) provision requires that, to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are not disabled.

Additional rules regarding placement require that children with disabilities be educated as close to home as possible, and in the same school he or she would attend if not disabled, unless the IEP specifies some other arrangement. In a situation where a child will not participate fully with peers without disabilities, the IEP must include an explanation of why and to what extent.

Continuum

The law requires schools to ensure that there is a "continuum of alternative placements" available to meet the needs of students with disabilities who cannot be educated in the general education classroom for part or all of the school day. The continuum must be designed to ensure that there is an appropriate setting for each child with a disability, based on the child’s specific needs, and includes general education classes, special education classes, special schools, home instruction, and instruction in hospitals or institutions.

Dysart - LRE and Continuum

The LRE will be determined by the IEP team with the following:● Each child will have his/her day “mapped” to ensure general education

considerations to the maximum extent possible● Clear explanation of student needs

o communication needso sensory needso behavioral needs

LRE off campus or in private dayo ESS coordinator must be presento LRE is a team decision o Location of LRE is determined by the ESS Director

Implementing the IEP

IEPs should be implemented as soon as possible following the IEP meeting at which the IEP is developed. An IEP must be in effect before a school can provide special education and related services. Schools must ensure that IEPs are accessible to each regular education teacher, special education teacher, related service provider, or other service provider who is responsible for implementing that IEP, and that each of those individuals is informed of his or her specific responsibilities related to the implementation of the IEP. Moreover, all relevant school personnel must be informed of the specific accommodations, modifications, and supports that must be provided to each child in accordance with his or her IEP.

Prior Written Notice

The IDEA requires school districts to provide parents with a written notice of services or actions that will take place prior to implementation. In Arizona this is called a Prior Written Notice.

This is the “legal notepad” for the IEP/MET teams.

What to Include in the PWN

A PWN must include the following:● a description of the action proposed or refused by the school; ● an explanation of why the school proposes or refuses to take the action; ● a description of each evaluation procedure, assessment, record, or report

the agency used as a basis for the proposed or refused action;● a statement that the parents of a child with a disability have protection

under the procedural safeguards provided in the IDEA ● a description of other options considered by the IEP team and the reason

why those options were rejected● a description of other factors that are relevant to the school’s proposal or

refusal.

When to Write a PWN

The PWN is the “legal notepad” requested by Judges and ADE officials; therefore, PWN must be well written after the following actions:● Initial identification● Any formal meeting

o METo IEPo REDo Progresso LRE/Continuum placement meetingso Disciplinary actions

When in doubt PWN it out!!

Dispute Resolution

The IDEA and its implementing regulations mandate that states make available formal processes for families of children with disabilities age 3 through 21 and public schools to resolve special education-related disputes. State Educational Agencies (SEA) are required to offer mediation, a due process hearing system, and a state administrative complaint system.

This is the area where the ESS Director spends all of her time.

Dispute Resolution

Mediation● Part of parental safeguards● Informal process

o Dysart includes Legal Counsel on all mediations● Only Parent and Adult students can request mediation

o Parents can bring Legal Counselo Advocates cannot attend mediation unless agree to by the

Director● ADE provides trained mediator● Successful mediation results in a written agreement

Dispute Resolution

Due Process Hearing● Part of parental safeguards● A formal hearing

o Dysart includes Legal Counsel in Due Process Hearings● Only Parent and Adult students can request mediation

o Parents can bring Legal Counselo Advocates cannot attend mediation unless agree to by the Judge

● An Administrative Law Judge decides the outcome of the complaint

Dispute Resolution

State Administrative Complaint System● NOT part of parents procedural safeguards● Part of the state regulations that implement IDEA● Has 60 to issue a letter of findings

o can only determine if the district is in or out of compliance● Issues corrective action regarding compliance issues● Cannot dictate IEP decisions or change outcomes