get in the game! become a surrogate parent for an exceptional student

Get in the Game!

Become a Surrogate Parent for an Exceptional Student

It takes teamwork to meet the needs of exceptional students.

Join the ESE team!

What is a surrogate parent?

A hero!

A person who acts in the interests of an exceptional student in the ESE process, and…

A surrogate parent does not take care of the child.

A surrogate parent is not financially responsible for the

child.

Exceptional Student

• A student who has special educational needs and is eligible to receive ESE services.

• A student who has a disability or a student who is gifted.

A surrogate parent is needed

• If the child’s parent is unknown or cannot be located (including unaccompanied homeless children), or

• If the child is a ward of the state (such as children who live in group foster care; youth in juvenile justice facilities)

Surrogate Parent Duties

• Participate in the ESE process

• Help make decisions

• Help make sure the student’s educational needs are met

• Make sure that the student’s rights are protected

Surrogate parents are very important people!

Join the ESE team!

You do not have to be an expert to be a

great surrogate parent.

IDEA 2004

School districts must provide specially designed instruction to meet the individuals needs of students with disabilities.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Examples of ESE Services

• Special teaching methods and materials

• Specially trained teachers

• Assistive technology

• Accommodations• Modifications• Behavior plan• Speech, OT, PT• Special

transportation

Role of the Surrogate Parent

• Become familiar with the child• Go to meetings and help make

decisions• Give consent for ESE services

(or refuse to give consent)• Ask school to change ESE services• Participate in training

Referral

Individual Evaluation

Eligibility Determination

Consent for Placement

Development of First IEP

Participation in the General Curriculum

Accommodations: changes in how

students are taught and tested

Modifications: changes in what students are taught and tested on

Yearly Development of New IEP

Re-evaluation

Surrogate parents have the same rights in the ESE process as parents have.

Surrogate parents have the same rights in the ESE process as parents have.

Procedural Safeguards/RightsProcedural Safeguards/Rights

• Receive informed written notice• Participate in planning and

decision-making• Give or refuse to give consent

• Receive informed written notice• Participate in planning and

decision-making• Give or refuse to give consent

Educational RecordsEducational Records

• Look at or get a copy of the child’s educational records

• Ask for changes to be made in the child’s educational records

• Look at or get a copy of the child’s educational records

• Ask for changes to be made in the child’s educational records

Formal Conflict ResolutionFormal Conflict Resolution

• Mediation• Formal written complaint to DOE• Due process hearing

• Mediation• Formal written complaint to DOE• Due process hearing

MediationMediation

Mediator helps the parent and the school district come to an agreement that satisfies both parties.

Mediator helps the parent and the school district come to an agreement that satisfies both parties.

Formal Written Complaint to DOEFormal Written Complaint to DOE

• Parent submits complaint to DOE• About possible violation of IDEA or

other law related to ESE• DOE decides on corrective actions

• Parent submits complaint to DOE• About possible violation of IDEA or

other law related to ESE• DOE decides on corrective actions

Due Process HearingDue Process Hearing

• Hearing before administrative law judge (ALJ)

• About ESE identification, evaluation, placement, or services (FAPE)

• Parties present evidence• Often involves attorneys• Judge decides on corrective actions

• Hearing before administrative law judge (ALJ)

• About ESE identification, evaluation, placement, or services (FAPE)

• Parties present evidence• Often involves attorneys• Judge decides on corrective actions

Winning Teamwork!Know the rules of the teamRespect all team membersListenBe clearBe flexibleFind a mutually agreeable solutionWrite it down

Steps in Problem Solving

Talk to the right person Name the problem Talk about concerns, documentation, what’s

already been tried, and how it worked Listen to all team members Brainstorm possible solutions Find a solution team members can agree on Take a break when needed

FDLRSFDLRSHelp

InformationTraining

HelpInformation

Training

www.fdlrs.comwww.fdlrs.com

For information about disabilities, visit

www.nichcy.org

1.800.695.0285

For information about disabilities, visit

www.nichcy.org

1.800.695.0285

For free publications—Clearinghouse Information

Center at DOE

www.myfloridaeducation.com/commhome

cicbiscs@fldoe.org

1.850.245.0477

For free publications—Clearinghouse Information

Center at DOE

www.myfloridaeducation.com/commhome

cicbiscs@fldoe.org

1.850.245.0477

This job takes…

• Caring

• Gathering information

• Participating and sharing what you have learned

• Listening and asking questions

• Focusing on the child

This job takes

YOU!

Thank you.

Florida Department of EducationBureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services

2007

This product may be reproduced within the state system of public education in Florida consistent with section 1006.39(2), Florida Statutes. No authorization is granted for distribution or reproduction outside the state system

of public education without prior approval in writing.

Author: Carmy Greenwood, Consultant

Development Committee: Bambi J. Lockman, Bureau Chief

Eileen Amy, Administrator, ESE Program Administration and Quality Assurance Patricia Howell, Program Director, ESE Conflict Resolution

For more information about surrogate parents for students with exceptionalities and related topics, call:850.245.0476 (Suncom: 205.0476) (Fax: 850.245.0953)

To order copies of this or other products, contact the Clearinghouse Information Center: E-mail: cicbiscs@fldoe.org

Voice: 850.245.0477 (Suncom: 205-0477) (Fax: 850.245.0987)