# data[].attributes.body
Special Education is such a broad continuum that affects many students in many different ways. It is important that teachers and all other stakeholders understand the role we play in creating environments that support the learning of all students. Schools must provide a learning environment that meets learners with various needs that offer free and appropriate education. Therefore school leaders have to provide various classroom environments to meet those differing needs. This could impact school personnel, school budgets, as well as classroom ratios and sizes.  Classroom teachers are affected as well, they must ensure accommodations are being provided, as well as, ensuring the appropriateness of the requested accommodations and/or modification. Identifying special education students is important to me because all children deserve to right enjoy the their education journey regardless of their disabilities that they may not be aware of.

# data[].attributes.body
Sheila Earley
Dean of Curriculum and Instruction
Legacy Early College HS

One emerging issue in the area of special education is early prevention and intervention.  As Multi-Tier Support System (MTSS) becomes more defined in schools it is important to see how all stakeholders are involved and play a role in the successful implementation plan at the different levels.  Attendance, guidance, administrator, interventionist, and teachers all are responsible for recognizing academic, social and emotional behaviors of our students. It is important that we all understand our roles in addressing them
Earley, S. (2019, November 13). Personal interview.

# data[].attributes.body
Education Weekly Blogger Corey Mitchell provides information on the complexity of special education that appeals to parents, students, and educators. In the article “Ed. Dept. Reverts to Original Timeline for Rules on Racial Bias in Special Education” he provides information of the case

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled the 2016 IDEA regulations must immediately go into effect, putting an end to the “illegal delay” by the Department of Education (DOE).

Established a standard method for identifying and monitoring the inequitable treatment of minority students.

COPAA filed a lawsuit against the DOE

The district court ruled that the DOE delay violates the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs how federal agencies propose and implement regulations.

Mitchel, C. (2019). Ed. dept. reverts to original timeline for rules on racial bias in special education. Retrieved from http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2019/05/special_education_disparity_rule_reimplemented.html

# data[].attributes.body
Meeting the Challenge of Twice-Exceptional Students

Twice exceptional or 2e Gifted students who also have disabilities that can slip through the cracks of the education system, prompting some states and districts to formulate new policies.

It is a challenge to identify  2e students because of their ability to perform well academically but struggle with ADHD, mild autism, dyslexia or other learning and behavioral challenges

The characteristics of a twice-exceptional child may not be readily apparent to educators unless they look beyond traditional assessment techniques.

It is hard to identify characteristics twice exceptional or 2e for educators which may cause individuals to look beyond the traditional behaviors.

Individualized attention is important, so districts have to consider how to provide services adapted to address the needs of 2e students.

Reference

Lee, L. (2019). Meeting the challenge of twice exceptional students. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/meeting-challenge-twice-exceptional-students

# data[].attributes.body
After Autistic Boy Dies During School Restraint, 3 Educators Charged With Manslaughter

A private school in California whos enrollment consists of students with disabilities are was faced with an incident dealing with negligence. The school decided to detain Max, who is a 13-year-old autistic boy by holding his hands behind his back, then dropping him to his knees and rolling him facedown after he was caught spitting on another student. While detained, the student urinated on himself and vomited, which later left him to needing to seek medical attention and later pronounced dead at the hospital from cardiac arrest. According to Fry (2019), two administrators and one teacher were charged with manslaughter, and the school later closed down due to losing funds that help special education in schools.

Reference

Fry, H. (2019). After autistic boy dies during school restraint, 3 educators charged with manslaughter. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-13/autistic-boy-dies-school-restraint-educators-charged-manslaughter

# data[].attributes.body
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

● Statutory

● 20 U.S.C. § 1400 (2004)

● IDEA is a law that provides all children with a disability the right to free education to enable them to be independent, further their education, and gain employment. The student must meet one of the thirteen disabilities that fall under IDEA. However, in order to qualify for IDEA, the disability must hinder their ability to learn and in need of accommodations. A child is covered under the IDEA from birth to graduation or the age of 21, whichever comes first.

# data[].attributes.body
Education For All Handicapped Children Act

●      Statutory

●      42 U.SC. § 1983

●      Education For All Handicapped Children Act provides funds to schools and requires them to educate all students who are identified as having a disability that hinders their learning.

# data[].attributes.body
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

●      Statutory

●      Pub. L. 114-95

●      Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), formerly known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), is a law that holds schools accountable for assuring that all students succeed regardless of race, socio-economic status, and disability. Students success rates are measured by graduation rates, academic achievement, academic progress, English language proficiency, and high school graduation rates (Lee, 2014)

Lee, A. (2014). Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): What you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/every-student-succeeds-act-essa-what-you-need-to-know

# data[].attributes.body
Individualized Education Programs  (IEP)

●      Administrative

●      34 C.F.R. § 300.320

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is designed for students who fall under the IDEA and receive special education services. The purpose of the IEP is to design a plan developed by the parent and someone on the school staff that will compose of services that will be rendered and academic goals (Center for Parent Information and Resources, 2017).

# data[].attributes.headline
Slide 10 Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule:

# data[].attributes.subject
Slide 10 Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule:

# data[].attributes.body
Response to Intervention (RTI)
Response to Intervention (RTI) is a policy used to assessed struggling learners within the classroom.  Though the interventions that are used are not specific to special education students, this process could lead to further assistance for those who need more extensive help.  Once students move through this process, they could be referred for evaluation and potentially given an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) to address concerns.

Legacy Early College. (2019) Response to intervention [Powerpoint]. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1tYpO4mPVEKfvlbNqetkpdvNa8ty_SBBG_TRksxzW70g/edit#slide=id.p5

# data[].attributes.body
A.4. Academic, Career and Social/Emotional Plans

d. Provide opportunities for all students to develop the mindsets and behaviors necessary to learn work-related skills, resilience, perseverance, an understanding of lifelong learning as a part of long-term career success, a positive attitude toward learning and a strong work ethic.

The ability to properly identify students who are need of accommodations, IEP or 504, is essential in the development process and academic success of each student. Students who are identified will receive the necessary tools that will allow them to succeed in the areas of work-related skills, resilience, and perseverance.

# data[].attributes.body
National PTA

Provides tools and for families to locate resources in the state or city to accommodate special education students. There is a tool kit option that provides information on the following

Getting Started

From Pre-K to Graduation

Understanding Federal Policy

A Parent’s Dictionary

Acronyms

Resources

National PTA. (n.d.). Special education toolkit. Retrieved from   https://www.pta.org/home/family-resources/Special-Education-Toolkit

# data[].attributes.headline
Slide 13 Recommendations / Best Practices for Compliance

# data[].attributes.subject
Slide 13 Recommendations / Best Practices for Compliance

# data[].attributes.body
Use continuous progress monitoring to gauge student strengths and weaknesses

Adhere to timelines as this is a federal mandate (set up a calendar or spreadsheet to ensure you keep up with dates)

Explain to staff members are those working with disabilities the importance of following expectations (i.e. accommodations within the classroom)

Keep information secure and confidential- this is sensitive information

Watch your language and use positive words when working with students with disabilities

Ensure that each team member understands their role at the meeting and that signatures indicate agreement with the information contained within the IEP.

Include parents as a part of the process.  Do not rush to complete meetings or paperwork and jeopardize adhering appropriately to federal mandates.  (i.e. not inviting person