https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h en-us 2022-07-23 00:03:28 UTC 2022-07-25 09:13:27 UTC hello@padlet.com cstewart331 https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248374781 As a special education teacher, I work closely with students with learning and developmental disabilities. COVID-19 has negatively impacted students, families, and teachers in ways we would have never imagined. This guide will hopefully present information and ideas to support students as we rebuild educational standards in public school systems.

As a future counselor, I will strive to meet all student needs on my campus. Students with learning and developmental needs sometimes require various counseling methods and accommodations. The audience of this legal guide is any public school educator. Classroom teachers spend much time with students and learn what methods and strategies are successful with their students, but other educators that work outside the classroom may have a difficult time building rapport and relationships with students with special needs. Often, learning and developmental disabilities are not seen with the naked eye, so it is imperative to implement supports and services on all levels of a campus.]]> 2022-07-23 00:06:03 UTC https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248374781 cstewart331 https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248374809 This legal guide topic is important to my field of education because COVID-19 has impacted the special education identification and intervention process. Students' services have been delayed due to school closures, absences, and remote learning. Campus educators can implement various strategies and methods to foster a positive learning environment for all students.

Best practices:
- Identify learning and developmental disabilities as early as possible.
- Begin intervention processes as early as possible.
- Implementation of accommodations and services for current students. 

Educators should be aware of students being identified with learning and developmental disabilities at a later grade level. Usually, students are identified with disabilities at a younger age. Due to the impact of COVID-19, students are diagnosed at later ages because of a lack of in-person learning during the school years of 2020 and 2021.  

Thomas Waszkiewicz
Educational Diagnostician
Morton Elementary School
Arlington Independent School District.]]> 2022-07-23 00:06:14 UTC https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248374809 cstewart331 https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375191 Michaels, S. (2017). Giving special education students what they need. National Education Association. https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/giving-special-education-students-what-they

This resource is informative to the topic because it offers various approaches to assisting students with special needs, including providing inclusive environments, merging students with special needs with their non-disabled peers, making school pleasant, and considering situations from the student's perspective.]]> 2022-07-23 00:07:21 UTC https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375191 cstewart331 https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375419 Arundel, K. (2022). Districts get creative to maintain special ed services as covid drags on. Education Dive.
https://www.k12dive.com/news/special-education-programs-work-through-covid-19-hardships/616971/

- Variants of COVID-19 are affecting students and their ability to stay on track with their grade progression.
- Teachers struggle to serve students with learning and developmental disabilities due to remote learning.
- Schools and districts must implement beneficial ways to support students with special needs due to staff shortages while staying compliant with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) policies. ]]> 2022-07-23 00:08:31 UTC https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375419 cstewart331 https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375459 Long, C. (2021). What covid-19 taught us about special education. National Education Association. https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/what-covid-19-taught-us-about-special-education

- The COVID-19 pandemic has presented roadblocks for students, families, and educators.
- Access to technology, such as laptops and home internet accessibility, made it nearly impossible for many students to engage in classwork.
- Campus staff, students, families, and their communities worked together to provide better opportunities for students to succeed during this time.]]> 2022-07-23 00:08:41 UTC https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375459 cstewart331 https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375529 Tex. Const. art. 1, § 3a (added 1972).

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CN/htm/CN.1/CN.1.3a.htm

- This specific source of law guarantees equality under the law in Texas. The state Bill of Rights states that individuals cannot be denied due to sex, race, color, or national origin. This can be considered the foundation of equality and equity standards in Texas.
- Under educational terms, this is relevant to this topic because school institutions have to provide an equal environment for students to thrive regardless of their background.]]> 2022-07-23 00:09:02 UTC https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375529 cstewart331 https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375544 Education of Individuals with Disabilities, 20 USC § 1414(a).

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title20-section1414&num=0&edition=prelim

- This act provides a free appropriate public education for special-needs students.
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) can assist students and their families with early interventions, special education in public schools, and other services and accommodations supporting their learning and development.
- All states abide by this act to receive federal funding for special education services to implement in their school districts.

]]> 2022-07-23 00:09:07 UTC https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375544 cstewart331 https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375571 Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley, 458 U.S. 176 (1982)

https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/458/176/

- This Supreme Court decision establishes the right to a free appropriate public education for all students.
- Also, it provides the standard of an individualized educational program (IEP) for students with learning, physical, and/or developmental disabilities.
- The state has to give each student that qualifies for services adequate support and services to foster academic and personal growth.]]> 2022-07-23 00:09:12 UTC https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375571 cstewart331 https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375583 Adaptations for Special Populations, 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 89.1131

https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=89&rl=1131

- This code provides standards for individuals working with students with special needs.
- Without this administrative law, supports and services would not be available for students to receive an equitable education like their general education peers.
- In addition, it states that standards for providing accommodation to students who are visually impaired and/or deaf or hard of hearing.]]> 2022-07-23 00:09:16 UTC https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375583 cstewart331 https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375622 Fort Worth Independent School District. (2020, July 16). Equal Educational Opportunity. Retrieved from https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Download/1101?filename=FB(LOCAL).pdf

My current school district is approaching this issue caused by the disturbance of COVID-19 by providing necessary educational opportunities for not just special education students but all enrolled students. By doing this, each student has an equitable chance of receiving services and accommodations to support their learning and development.]]> 2022-07-23 00:09:33 UTC https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375622 cstewart331 https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375654 A. 6. a. "Collaborate with all relevant stakeholders, including students, school faculty/staff and parents/guardians, when students need assistance, including when early warning signs of student distress are identified."

American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf

This ethical principle is essential to serving students with special needs because school counselors advocate for all student needs. With the negative impact of COVID-19, many students have fallen behind their peers due to absences and technological disadvantages. School counselors can collaborate with campus and community stakeholders to provide additional supports and services for students to thrive in their academic and personal development.]]> 2022-07-23 00:09:44 UTC https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375654 cstewart331 https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375693 School counselors are vital pieces to academic and personal student development. By understanding the ethical and legal standards surrounding student services, school counselors can better plan and implement comprehensive school counseling programs to serve their campus needs. School counselors engage in advocacy by building relationships with students and teachers, as well as families and community members, to identify student deficits and create solutions to the current issues.]]> 2022-07-23 00:09:55 UTC https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375693 cstewart331 https://padlet.com/cstewart331/9ira5ccqifr3m64h/wish/2248375728 As we have witnessed, COVID-19 has spread amongst our communities and has been challenging to halt. Educators can implement a few strategies and methods to support their student population during the pandemic. 

- Provide inclusive environments for all students to feel comfortable, leading to them enjoying school.
- Familiarize with special education documents, services, and accommodations.
- Strengthen school culture so students feel supported and represented in decision-making.
- Empathize with students and view situations from their perspectives.
- Lean on campus and community stakeholders to create solutions to issues caused by COVID-19.
- Give yourself grace as times change and be open to adjustments. 
- Build student relationships in and out of the classroom.
- Try new methods and strategies to support student needs.
- Remember that services and accommodations help students progress through the curriculum. 
- Collaboration and advocacy are key elements to creating a positive environment for students to thrive.

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