Special Education Special Education ComplianceCompliance

Megan Marie Van Fossan M.A., M.Ed.Megan Marie Van Fossan M.A., M.Ed.

McGuffey School DistrictMcGuffey School District

OverviewOverview

What is Special Education?What is Special Education? What is compliance?What is compliance?

Who is eligible for Special Education?

Who is eligible for Special Who is eligible for Special Education?Education?

The student needs to have a disability that is The student needs to have a disability that is recognized under IDEA 04recognized under IDEA 04

ANDAND

Be in need of Specially Designed InstructionBe in need of Specially Designed Instruction

What are the federal laws that What are the federal laws that drive special education in the drive special education in the

United States?United States?

The Laws of the LandThe Laws of the Land

Individuals with Disabilities Education Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004)Improvement Act (IDEA 2004) passed in 1975 as the Education for All Handicapped passed in 1975 as the Education for All Handicapped

Children ActChildren Act establishes framework for special education in this countryestablishes framework for special education in this country reauthorization signed December 3, 2004 reauthorization signed December 3, 2004

No Child Left Behind (NCLB)No Child Left Behind (NCLB) reauthorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act

(e.g. Title I)(e.g. Title I) signed into law January 2002signed into law January 2002

What are the State Regulation What are the State Regulation for special education in PA?for special education in PA?

PA CodePA Code

Chapter 14- Special EducationChapter 14- Special Education

What are the timelines for special What are the timelines for special education paperwork?education paperwork?

Chapter 14 TimelinesChapter 14 Timelines

14.123 Evaluations and 14.124 Reevals14.123 Evaluations and 14.124 Reevals Does change timeline to 60 calendar days for Does change timeline to 60 calendar days for

initial evaluation and reevaluationinitial evaluation and reevaluation After receiving written parental consentAfter receiving written parental consent BUT . . Summer does not count!BUT . . Summer does not count!

Copies of eval or reeval report:Copies of eval or reeval report: Given to parents at least 10 school days prior to Given to parents at least 10 school days prior to

IEP meetingIEP meeting Unless waived by parentsUnless waived by parents

Chapter 14 TimelinesChapter 14 Timelines

There are 30 calendar days between the There are 30 calendar days between the issuance of a report and the IEP meeting.issuance of a report and the IEP meeting.

IEPs have to be reviewed within 1 year.IEPs have to be reviewed within 1 year.

Who is responsible for Who is responsible for enrollment?enrollment?

Who is responsible for Who is responsible for enrollment?enrollment?

Public SchoolPublic School

Public SchoolPublic School

Public SchoolPublic School

Sample Enrollment ProceduresSample Enrollment Procedures  Special Services Enrollment ProcessSpecial Services Enrollment Process

   The Special Services Office has developed the following procedures to expeditiously and appropriately provide The Special Services Office has developed the following procedures to expeditiously and appropriately provide

educational services for students: educational services for students:  Completion of the McGuffey Enrollment Packet, which includesCompletion of the McGuffey Enrollment Packet, which includes

Student Registration Affidavit (notarized)Student Registration Affidavit (notarized) Foster Children Information FormFoster Children Information Form McGuffey School District Student Enrollment FormMcGuffey School District Student Enrollment Form New Student Information FormNew Student Information Form Home Language Survey (included on Student Enrollment Form)Home Language Survey (included on Student Enrollment Form) McGuffey School District Student Media Release FormMcGuffey School District Student Media Release Form

The above documents are required and should be fully completed. The enrollment packet should then be delivered to The above documents are required and should be fully completed. The enrollment packet should then be delivered to the attention of Megan Van Fossan at the McGuffey Special Services Office by mail or fax.the attention of Megan Van Fossan at the McGuffey Special Services Office by mail or fax.

  

McGuffey School DistrictMcGuffey School District Phone: 724-663-5364Phone: 724-663-5364

Special Services OfficeSpecial Services Office Fax: 724-663-3696Fax: 724-663-3696

P.O. Box 421P.O. Box 421

119 Main Street119 Main Street

Claysville, PA 15323Claysville, PA 15323

  

Once the Special Services Office receives the enrollment packet every effort is made to make a placement decision within three to five days. Brenda Steele, Lead Support Teacher begins the process of gathering the information for each student. This process usually begins with phone calls and faxing an Authorization to Release/Request Information Form to the student’s previous schools..  At this juncture, the following information is requested:Academic Report (report cards, current grades (if mid-grading period,) transcript, and PSSA or PASA test resultsAttendance/Behavior Report (discipline referrals)Discharge Summary (if in previous RTF program)Psychological TestingImmunization/Health RecordsSpecial Education Documents (including, but not limited to, initial Evaluation Report, current IEP, and current RR) While gathering the above mentioned documents, the Special Services Office will then contact relevant persons who can provide information regarding the student’s academic and behavioral abilities and concerns. 

 

 

The following people are contacted:Parent/GuardianSchool personnel, ie. principal, special education director, guidance counselor, special education teacher/regular education teacherStaff from RTF program, if applicableStaff personnel from previous placements, if applicableJuvenile Probation Officer, if applicableSocial Worker/Case Manager, if applicable Upon completion of all of the above processes, the IEP is re-opened by the IEP team which includes the following: Megan Van Fossan, LEA; a special education teacher; a regular education teacher; and the parent/guardian. The team decides what revisions need to be made and adopts the IEP with a duration date of 30 days. A new NOREP is issued to the student’s parent/guardian reflecting the new educational placement.  The Special Services Office distributes all of the appropriate documentations to the receiving school. The two entities then work together and schedule a new IEP conference for the student within the 30 day time limit. The 30 days allow the new teacher to gather new classroom information, complete testing, and prepare a Re-evaluation Report and IEP.  

 

Who is required to attend an IEP Who is required to attend an IEP Meeting?Meeting?

IEP TeamIEP Team How is a child’s program determined?How is a child’s program determined?

All decisions regarding FAPE are made by the IEP All decisions regarding FAPE are made by the IEP TeamTeam

Who is on the team?Who is on the team? ParentsParents Special ed teacherSpecial ed teacher Regular ed teacher (If the student participates in regular Regular ed teacher (If the student participates in regular

education)education) Related Service ProvidersRelated Service Providers LEA representative (HOST)LEA representative (HOST) LEA representative (HOME)LEA representative (HOME) Required members can only be excused with parental consent!Required members can only be excused with parental consent!

IEP TeamIEP Team

The IEP Team is the decision maker under The IEP Team is the decision maker under IDEAIDEA Responsible for developing, reviewing and Responsible for developing, reviewing and

revising an IEPrevising an IEP There are no individual decisionsThere are no individual decisions

IEPIEP

What does IEP Team decide?What does IEP Team decide? What special education and related services the What special education and related services the

child needs to receive FAPEchild needs to receive FAPE Once decision is made, all services are written Once decision is made, all services are written

in IEPin IEP Once services are in IEP, school district must Once services are in IEP, school district must

ensure child receives those servicesensure child receives those services contractcontract

What is a related service?What is a related service?

What is a related service?What is a related service?

Transportation andTransportation and Such developmental, corrective and other Such developmental, corrective and other

supportive services as may be required to assist a supportive services as may be required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from educationchild with a disability to benefit from education

PA Chapter 14 and the PA Chapter 14 and the Ramifications of Gaskins Settelment Ramifications of Gaskins Settelment

AgreementAgreement

PlacementPlacement Team must first consider regular classroom with Team must first consider regular classroom with

supplementary aids and services before considering supplementary aids and services before considering services in another settingservices in another setting

What does this mean for you?What does this mean for you?

Who requires a behavior Who requires a behavior intervention plan?intervention plan?

Behavior ManagementBehavior Management

Who requires a behavior intervention plan?Who requires a behavior intervention plan? A child who has behavior difficulties that interfere A child who has behavior difficulties that interfere

with learningwith learning Must be POSITIVE interventions and supportsMust be POSITIVE interventions and supports Developed by the IEP TeamDeveloped by the IEP Team Set forth in a written planSet forth in a written plan

Living and Learning Living and Learning Together In One WorldTogether In One World

The Beginning of a The Beginning of a Wonderful Wonderful

Educational Journey Educational Journey for all Childrenfor all Children