More clarity, less anxiety with special education evaluations please!

The special education evaluation process can feel overwhelming when it seems the criteria or expectations are continuously shifting.

We each bring our own unique mix of believes, values, education, and experiences to our teams. These differences are a good thing in our collaborative efforts! However, we have all experienced how these differences have led to conflicts, misunderstanding, or frustrations in the special education world.

The Cipher defines the essential components of special education eligibility in order for educators to align their practices, expectations, and conversations. It is based on two components that are at the heart of every special education evaluation, appropriate instruction and need.

The Cipher Building Blocks

The Cipher is not a creative or unique product. Rather, it is an integration of required components as outlined in federal and state rules for special education evaluations. It also blends elements of highly effective practices and concepts as well. The following elements represent the building blocks of the Cipher.

Big Idea #1 - Make The Connections

Silos are prevalent across settings and education is no exception as it is often faster to go alone. The Cipher highlights the connections between special education and general education and will impact systems across all levels of support so that teams can go further in impacting student achievement.

Big Idea #2 - Make It Transparent

Special education evaluations are often clouded in mystery where many educators are left feeling frustrated not knowing how students are determined eligible for special education or their role in the process. The Cipher looks to not simply peel back the evaluation curtain but to rip it down all together so that team members assume a clear and collective responsibility throughout the evaluation process.

Big Idea #3 - Answer The Question!

Through a series of key questions, the Cipher becomes a tool for school and district leadership teams to evaluate their current practices, determine which areas may be improved, and make the evaluation process as simple but significant as possible.

Big Idea #4 - Avoid Evaluation Chaos

As teams review and utilize the Cipher, it is worthwhile to remember the words of Patrick Lencioni, 'If everything is important, nothing is'.

At its heart, the Cipher seeks to clarify the essential elements of every special education evaluation. Without such a framework, practices and procedures are left to individuals. Each decision from when to evaluate a student, how to evaluate them, and why they are determined eligible or not becomes an improvisational act.

Big Idea #5 - Taking The Next Step

Developing a new way of thinking starts by asking the right questions. The right questions shape organizational thinking and lead to answers and actions that improve our practices. The Cipher provides a series of essential questions while this site provides a variety of resources and tools for school teams to help answer them.

Big Idea #6 -It's More Than Eligibility

The Cipher is more than a series of questions to determine whether a student is eligible for special education. Teeming with resources for the school team, they will be able to not only determine if and how a student qualifies for special education but also be equipped with the information needed to guide instruction across any level or tier of support.