FAQ - Special Education

What is Special Education?

Special Education is a variety of services that are based on students' individual needs. The services can include individualized academic instruction, Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Social Skills / Counseling Services.

What is an IEP?

An IEP or Individualized Education Plan is a document that outlines all of the relevant information related to a student’s program. It includes the disability category, meeting notes from he last meeting, present levels of performance, goals & objectives, services and hours and accommodations and modifications.

Who would qualify for an IEP?

Students who have an identified disability qualify for Special Education. Federal Law (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA) dictates 13 categories of disability that would qualify a child for Special Education services.

What is the process?

Scheduling a PPT or Planning and Placement Team meeting is the first step in the process. A PPT can be requested by either the school or by the parents or guardians of the student if someone suspects that a child has a disability that might require specialized instruction. The team would meet at a Referral PPT Meeting and discuss the student’s performance and decide if more evaluations are warranted. Parental permission is required to conduct formal evaluations. If the team calls for evaluations, they are conducted within 45 school days of the date of referral. The service providers who evaluated the child provide written reports to the parents before the Eligibility PPT Meeting. The team discusses whether or not the student qualifies for Special Education services, based on the State Department of Education guidelines for disabling conditions under IDEA. If the child is found eligible, an IEP is created which is a document that outlines the needs of the child, the services that will be provided and the goals and objectives that the team will be working on with the student.

Parental rights for Special Education can be found here:

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Special-Education/Prosaf.pdf