get in the game! become a surrogate parent for an exceptional student
TRANSCRIPT
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
1.850.245.0477
For free publications—Clearinghouse Information
Center at DOE
www.myfloridaeducation.com/commhome
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: [email protected]
Voice: 850.245.0477 (Suncom: 205-0477) (Fax: 850.245.0987)