Legal Guide by Cassi Stegall https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm en-us 2019-07-18 16:26:29 UTC 2019-07-21 14:15:18 UTC hello@padlet.com 1 - Professional Perspective/Audience/Topic cstegall11 https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597137 My professional perspective is working as a secondary school principal. I have chosen the topic of Special Education and Admission, Referral, and Dismissal (ARD) Requirements, and the audience that could view this legal guide are parents, teachers, and administrators. I chose this topic because I am not extremely familiar with all that is required of an administrator to fulfill all ARD requirements. Also, I hope this will be a helpful resource for parents and teachers in the future.]]> 2019-07-18 16:27:30 UTC https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597137 2 - Interview cstegall11 https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597188 Importance
The topic of Special Education and ARD requirements is an important element of administration because there are so many legal aspects to cover. Mrs. Stegall shared that there has been a dramatic rise in the number of students who are being considered for special education, making the ARD process more important than ever. With the internet being so easily accessible, some parents are considering themselves experts on the subject, so it is important that administrators are experts as well.

Best Practice
  • Keep a copy of the legal elements of ARD requirements or a tab on your computer handy for easy access.
  • Make decisions as a committee. This includes the teachers, administrators, special education teacher, and parents.
  • Ask questions if you are unsure. Never be afraid to ask if something doesn't seem right; it is better to be safe than wrong.

Emerging Issue
An emerging issue is the requirements for admission into the special education program. Since information is so easily accessible on the internet, some parents are trying to manipulate the system in order to aid their child. This is important for educators to be aware of and a main reason why teachers are included in the ARD committee. Be certain to gather information from all committee members regarding students.

Interviewee
Shelli Stegall, Secondary Principal, Hico ISD
]]> 2019-07-18 16:28:02 UTC https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597188 3 - Professional Association cstegall11 https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597219 Hall, L. (2012). Facilitated IEP meeting quick reference guide. Region 4 Education Center. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/site/region4escfiep/

This resource is informative for my topic because it goes into detail on the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) requirements of the ARD process. The document breaks down the process of facilitating an IEP meeting, which is an important ARD requirement. ]]> 2019-07-18 16:28:28 UTC https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597219 4 - Current News cstegall11 https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597289 Samuels, C. (October 2018). The important role principals play in special education. Education Week. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/10/17/the-important-role-principals-play-in-special.html

This article shines a light on the role that principals play in promoting positive outcomes for special education. This includes ARDs and, more specifically, IEP documentation. The article provides insight from different principals who can agree that family involvement and communication are key in providing the best possible special education accommodations. The article mentions the fact that special education training must improve to enhance the experience for students (Samuels, 2018).]]> 2019-07-18 16:29:03 UTC https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597289 5 - Current News cstegall11 https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597305 De La Rosa, S. (March 2019). Brooklyn charter's special education students outperform district peers under personalized approach. Education Drive. Retrieved from https://www.educationdive.com/news/brooklyn-charters-special-education-students-outperform-district-peers-und/550985/

This article gives many practical examples that one school district uses in order to enhance the learning experience for students receiving special education services. The article suggests personalized learning and small group instruction for the students, which can be documented in the students IEP. It is important that even though technology is on the rise, teachers should not sit back and be obsolete. Developing a student's IEP should be personal and specific to the student's individual needs (De La Rosa, 2019). ]]> 2019-07-18 16:29:18 UTC https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597305 6 - Original Source of Law cstegall11 https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597327 US Const., art. I, amend. XIV, § 1

Constitutional Law

https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/amendmentxiv

The 14th amendment ensures that all children have a right to an education, including special education, which guarantees “equal protection” for all students.
]]> 2019-07-18 16:29:38 UTC https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597327 7 - Original Source of Law cstegall11 https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597341 34 C.F.R. § 300.323(a)

Statutory Law

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/34/300.323

This law requires that at the beginning of the school year, the school district must have an individualized education program (IEP) in place for each student who is receiving special education for that year.
]]> 2019-07-18 16:29:54 UTC https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597341 8 - Original Source of Law cstegall11 https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597355 20 USC § 1400

Statutory Law 

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/20/1400

IDEA aims to ensure that all students receive the same opportunity for education. There are six elements that comprise IDEA: Individualized Education Program (IEP), FAPE, Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), appropriate evaluation, parent and teacher participation, and procedural safeguards (20 USC § 1400).
]]> 2019-07-18 16:30:06 UTC https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597355 9 - Original Source of Law cstegall11 https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597375 19 TAC § 89.1055(m)(1)

Administrative Law

http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter089/ch089aa.html

This law requires that, in terms of mutual agreement between all parties involved, the student’s IEP include the date of the ARD meeting, the name, position, and signature of all ARD committee members in the meeting, and an indication of whether or not all items discussed in the meeting were agreed upon among all parties.
]]> 2019-07-18 16:30:20 UTC https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597375 10 - Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule cstegall11 https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597393 Hico School Board Manual § EIE

This local policy states that all standards that a student receiving special education should follow should be documented by the ARD committee and noted in the student's IEP. Documentation is critical for students receiving special education so districts can be held accountable and ensure that students are being served properly.]]> 2019-07-18 16:30:38 UTC https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597393 11 - Ethical Principle cstegall11 https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597443 19 TAC § 247.2(1)(G)

Standard 1.7 of the Educator's Code of Ethics ensures that educators will "comply with state regulations, written school board policies, and other state and federal laws" (19 TAC § 247.2(1)(G)). ARD requirements are very straightforward and it is critical that educators follow the code of ethics when admitting, referring, and dismissing students from the special education program.]]> 2019-07-18 16:30:57 UTC https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597443 12 - Non-Law Source cstegall11 https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597463 Legal Framework. (2018). Parent’s guide to the admission, review, and dismissal process. Texas Education Agency. Retrieved from https://framework.esc18.net/Documents/ARD_Guide_ENG.pdf

This is a great resource that explains the ARD process in general. It is labeled a parent's guide, but it can be used for anyone in the education field that has questions about the ARD process. The resource was developed by the Texas Education Agency which increases its credibility. 
]]> 2019-07-18 16:31:10 UTC https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597463 13 - Recommendations cstegall11 https://padlet.com/cstegall11/rego096azzzm/wish/371597482
  • Always check with the Texas Education Agency ARD requirements before making a decision.
  • Ensure that each decision is aligned with the Educators’ Code of Ethics.
  • Select responsible and trustworthy individuals for the ARD committee to ensure things are done correctly.
  • Develop each student’s IEPs personalized to their individual skills and learning processes.
  • Document everything to ensure that each student is being served in the best way possible.
  • Ensure that the ARD process is a fair and ethical process, giving each student an equal opportunity to receive appropriate education.

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