Brief Overview of Special EducationSpecial
Education is specialized instruction provided for children from birth
to age 22 who qualify according to the laws and regulations outlined by
the state and federal government. A student may qualify for special
education services as an individual with special needs in one of twelve
areas identified by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA 2004). These are:
Brief Overview of the IEP Process If
your child is demonstrating a pattern of serious difficulty in school
and frequently exhibits learning problems, consideration of Special
Education may be needed. This can occur in the following way: Referral and Identification A
referral may come from a parent, teacher, physician, the student,
school administrator or community agency. Contact your local school for
information regarding a referral for assessment if you suspect your
child has a disability. Student Study Team - SST You
will be asked to attend a Student Study Team (SST). This is a general
education process to review the student's strengths and areas of
concern. At this meeting, the parent with the school staff determines
if alternative instructional strategies are needed. The SST may refer a
child for Special Education assessment only after all resources of
regular education have been considered and implemented as appropriate. Assessment An
Assessment Plan is developed within 15 days of a written referral.
Written parental consent is required for the assessment and the
evaluation results will be shared with you at an IEP meeting. Individualized Education Program (IEP) Within
60 days of signing an assessment plan, if you and the school agree that
your child is eligible under one of the twelve eligibility categories,
an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed by the IEP
team with appropriate placement and services determined. The IEP team
consists of the parents or guardians, a school administrator, a special
education teacher, the child's regular education teacher, and other
special education staff as determined by the team. During the IEP,
annual goals are developed to help the student progress in the general
curriculum. Parents must give approval prior to placement and services
beginning. IEP Review Your
child's program will be reviewed by the IEP team at least once a year
to determine progress in meeting established goals and to determine new
goals as appropriate. Department of Education IEP (Individualized Education Plan) Guide
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What is SEED? SEED
is a newly formed nonprofit organization run by volunteers to benefit
students with special needs in the Lafayette School District. SEED is
currently considering strategies to support a wide range of proposals
that could support and enrich the education of special needs students
in the Lafayette School District. SEED intends to raise funds
predominantly through applications for grants from private foundations
and public entities that provide grants. SEED will also sponsor
community-based fund raising events to help build a support community
for our parents with special needs children.
Please
consider volunteering your time. We have positions both large and
small- and it's all important work! To learn more, contact us at |
Support >
IEP Information |