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What Parents Need to Know About
Special Education in Kentucky
LOGAN COUNTY SCHOOLS
Barry W. Goley, [email protected]
270.726.2436
LOGAN COUNTY SCHOOLS
Serves approximately 575 students with disabilities, in all grades (preschool through 12th & 14th).
Employ 34 special education teachers, 7 speech-language pathologist, 3 occupational therapist, 1 physical therapist, 3 school psychologist, and 1 social worker
Definition of Special Education
Special education means “specially designed instruction and related services, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of the eligible child with a disability. It may include instruction in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals and institutions, and in other settings.”
RegulationsFederal Regulations - 34 CFR Parts 300 and
303Kentucky Administrative Regulations - 707
KAR 1:280 through 707 KAR 1:380Local School District Procedures
Kentucky Department of EducationDivision of Learning Services
500 Mero StreetFrankfort, Kentucky 40601
www.kde.state.ky.usLocal Board of EducationDirector of Special Education
http://www.logan.kyschools.us
History of Federal LawPublic Law 94-142 Education for all
Handicapped Children Act (1975)Amendments 1983, ’86, ‘90IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act) - 1990IDEA ’97 (Public Law 105-17)IDEA ’04 (108-446)
Definition of Advocate
An advocate in terms of special education is someone who speaks or acts on behalf of a child with special needs.
Who are Advocates for your child?
o Parento Principalo Regular Education
Teachero Special Education
Teachero Related Service
Providerso Special Education
Director
o Doctoro Therapisto First Steps
Personnelo Relativeso Family Friendso Others
How Do I Advocate for My Child?
Know your child’s abilities. Understand your child’s disability Identify your child’s needs List your concerns.
How Do I Advocate for My Child?
Be aware of relevant laws and where to get information.
Understand procedural safeguards the law provides to protect the rights of your child.
Know your local district’s special education procedures.
How Do I Advocate for My Child?
Get to know school personnel, district staffBe aware of educational and non-academic
services that are available under the law.
How Do I Advocate for My Child?
Maintain a home file/notebook.Attend all meetings. Write your questions
down before the meeting.Know where to look for support.Communicate with the school; don’t wait
until there’s a problem.
Where Do I Look for Support?School your child attendsLocal Special Education
Department/DirectorSpecial Education Cooperative (GRREC)Parent support groupsBooks and internetSpecific Disabilities' Organizations
Before the Meeting1. What is your child good at? List strengths - positive points.2. What does you child need help with? List weaknesses.3. What are your goals for your child for the next 12 months?4. What are your dreams and future goals for your child?
(What do you expect your child to be doing at age 18? 25? 40?):
5. What part of your child's individual education program do you think has best helped your child?
6. Other important information you would like to share about your child.
7. What additional concerns or questions to you want to present to the team?
Before the Meeting:Know:
Who is invited to the meeting (Notice of ARC Meeting)
Why they’re invited.The purpose of the meeting.
Before the Meeting (Cont.)Gather copies of school work, notes from
teachers, personal observations, and progress reports.
Review records and notes of past conferences.
Be familiar with your child’s IEP (Individual Education Program).
Before the Meeting (Cont.)Think about any problems your child is
having in school. Example: Are any goals or objectives not being
met? Think about possible solutions to share with the
team.Make a list of significant changes, such as
medication changes, major family events, etc.
Before the Meeting (Cont.)You may invite someone who has knowledge
about your child to attend the meeting with you.
Remember to bring your written ideas, questions and observations.
Any documentation from outside agencies (e.g., physician statements, therapist, etc.)
During the MeetingThink of yourself as part of the team. Remember you are an expert regarding your
child.Share your ideas/goals with the rest of the
team.What would you like to see your child doing
through the course of the upcoming year? Your expectations?
During the Meeting (Cont.)Ask questions!
Ask for clarification of any terms, acronyms or procedures that you do not understand.
Be specific regarding your concerns and priorities.
Take notes regarding who will do what and when.
During the Meeting (Cont.)Stay with the purpose of the meeting until it
is achieved. Ask for another meeting if you did not have
enough time to discuss all of the important issues.
Before leaving the meeting, know exactly what your next step(s) will be and get a copy of all paperwork.
After the MeetingCheck your notes regarding who will do
what and when.Share information with the rest of the family.Stay in touch with your child’s
teachers/service providers.Acknowledge people’s efforts.
Special Education Cycle
Evaluation
Eligibility
Individualized Education Program
Placement
Instruction
Annual Review
Referral
EvaluationsThe evaluation data is a critical component
that drivers: - Disability Determination
Disability CategoriesKentucky recognizes 14 disability categories
Eligibility criteria varies among the categories, and the criteria is governed by the regulations.
Some categories are very specific; other categories are more flexible based upon the data presented.
EvaluationsThe evaluation data is a critical component
that drivers:
- Individual Education Program (IEP)
Individual Education Program (IEP)An IEP is a written plan of action for a
student with a disability who is eligible to receive special education and related services.
The IEP describes the student’s needs (& strengths), annual goals, specially designed instruction and supplementary aids and services to address the needs of a student
Individual Education Program (IEP)The purpose of an IEP is:
- Provide access to the general curriculum - Ensure the student is making progress in
the general curriculum - Address the student’s unique educational
needs - Prepare your student for further education,
employment and independent living
EvaluationsThe evaluation data is a critical component
that drivers:
- Specially Designed Instruction
What will we provide?The evaluation will also determineSpecially Designed Instruction – “what
the teacher does”Supplementary Aids and Services – “what
the student needs”
EvaluationsThe evaluation data is a critical component
that drivers:
- Accommodations and Modifications
Accommodations & ModificationsAccommodations are tools or procedures
that provide equal access to instruction and assessment for students with disabilities.
It is provided to “level the playing field” without changing or lowering expectations
Accommodations & ModificationsModifications are changes made to the
curriculum that alters or lowers the expectation of the course, standard or test.
Modifications change “the field you are playing on”.
Questions and Answers
