The Referral Process
Parent, Teacher, Principal, Counselor or any staff member that works with the student. A doctor cannot write a prescription for an IEP.
Who can make an initial referral for a special education evaluation?
This act ensures students with a disability are provided with Free Appropriate Public Education that is tailored to their individual needs.
What is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA?
When a child exhibits a pattern of strengths and weaknesses in performance, achievement, or both, relative to age, State approved grade-level standards, or intellectual development. Discrepancy of at least 1.5 standard deviations between achievement and IQ.
What is Specific Learning Disability (SLD)?
I did not attend the IEP for a student in my class, so I do not have to follow it.
What is a MYTH?
Updated grades, data on interventions, informal observations from working with the student, etc.
What are some things the regular education teacher should bring to a Review of Existing Data (RED) meeting, Eligibility Determination Meeting (EDM) or an IEP meeting?
The process of putting research-based strategies into place for 6-8 weeks, while collecting data on the outcomes. Sometimes this process starts with the Care Teams at each building.
What are interventions?
Interventions should be put into place prior to any teacher referral.
This is a plan or program developed to ensure that a child with an identified disability who is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives specialized instruction and related services.
What is an Individualized Education Plan (or Program) is also known as an IEP?
*limited strength, vitality, or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli
*due to chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorder, etc.
*Adversely affects a child’s educational performance
What is Other Health Impairment (OHI)?
Transition needs of the student must be addressed during the cycle of the IEP in which the student turns 16, or it can be addressed early if the team determines appropriate.
What is a FACT?
“We don’t/can’t do…”/ “We never do…”/
“We only do…”/“No student gets more than…”/
“It would cost too much…”/
“We don’t have enough staff to do…”/
“Are you out of your mind?”
What are some things not to say at a RED, EDM or an IEP?
The teacher discusses intervention outcomes with counselor and/or Care Team. This paper work is completed documenting all interventions that were not successful based on the data collected taking the process to the next step.
What is the Request for Consideration for Initial Special Education Evaluation form (or Referral Form) and referral packet?
At this meeting the team reviews all current data on a student in areas such as vision, hearing, health, social/emotional, academics, etc.
What is a Review of Existing Data or RED meeting?
*Inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory or health factors
*Inability to build or maintain satisfactory relationship
*Inappropriate types of behaviors or feelings under normal circumstances
*General pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression
*Tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or social problems
I can leave when I am finished with my part at an IEP meeting without the parent's permission.
What is a MYTH?
An excusal form has to be signed by the parent PRIOR to the IEP meeting, and the parent must agree.
*Show up on time.
*Be an active participant.
*Listen attentively - This means no sidebar conversations.
What are tips for a Successful Meeting (RED, EDM or IEP?
The multidisciplinary team determines if there is enough evidence to suspect a special education disability, and if so this process is completed to determine a possible plan for evaluation.
What is a Review of Existing Data meeting?
This is a federal law that students with disabilities receive their education, to the maximum extent appropriate, with nondisabled peers and that special education students are not removed from regular classes unless, even with supplemental aids and services, education in regular classes cannot be achieved satisfactorily.
What is Least Restrictive Environment or LRE?
The student has to meet DESE eligibility criteria, and there must be a need for special education services.
What is the 2 prong requirement for a student to receive special education?
Once a student is referred for Special Education(from the date of referral)
5 days to send home Procedural Safeguards/Parents' Bill of Rights, 30 days to develop an evaluation plan if testing is warranted, 60 days to evaluate once parent permission received, 30 days to develop IEP
What is a FACT?
Present Level, Special Considerations, Goals, Services, Accommodations & Modifications, Transition, etc.
What are the parts of an IEP?