Legal and Ethical Guide by Meleaha Glaze https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja Identification of Special Education Students en-us 2022-06-14 21:37:03 UTC 2025-05-04 08:24:58 UTC hello@padlet.com mglaze21 https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2230942453 As an elementary school counselor, I spend a lot of time working with the Special Education department. I have worked in education for 11 years now, and have learned many valuable things in regards to special education. The audience in which this information is geared towards is teachers. I chose this topic because as an elementary school counselor, I spend a lot of my time working on special education referrals, helping determine if students have learning disabilities and what type of supports they may need for success.]]> 2022-06-27 01:52:45 UTC https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2230942453 Interview with Mrs. Smith, Diagnostician mglaze21 https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2242071809 After interviewing Mrs. Jill Smith, Diagnostician at Wylie Elementary School at Henderson ISD, I have learned several things that can be utilized in my role as school counselor. A school counselor's primary responsibility is to advocate for students, ensuring they receive the same education as others. When dealing with referrals, a school counselor must take into account all information to determine if the student needs additional support from programs such as Special Education. Mrs. Smith states "the initial referral falls back on the responsibility of the school counselor, and it is a large responsibility in itself" (J. Smith, personal communication, June 23, 2022). 

California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) suggests some of these best practices to follow in regards to special education (2015):

1. Provide instruction to students with disabilities in the general education classroom (inclusion).
2. Individualized programs to meet students needs.
3. Utilize Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to support the students both academically, and behaviorally, and socially.]]> 2022-07-12 20:44:19 UTC https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2242071809 The School Counselor and Students with Disabilities mglaze21 https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2242074650 The role of a school counselor in regards to serving students with disabilities is vital to the success of the student. The responsibilities of the school counselor include: 
Providing guidance lessons 
short-term goal centered counseling

Consultation and collaboration with staff and parents to understand the needs of the student

Identify students who need assessment

Collaborate with other student support professionals

Provide assistance during transitions and in planning for postsecondary life.

(American School Counselor Association, 2022)]]> 2022-07-12 20:54:16 UTC https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2242074650 Preparing School Counselors to Serve Students with Disabilities mglaze21 https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2244375665   Goodman-Scott, E., Bobzien, J., & Milsom, A. (2018). Preparing preservice school counselors to serve students with disabilities: A case study. Professional School Counseling. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X19867338

In this article, authors are writing about the need to school counselors to feel prepared as they serve students with disabilities. Many school counselors feel prepared in working with general education students, but sometimes feel they lack the knowledge or confidence to successfully support disabled students. This article provides examples and suggestions on what counselors and school districts can do to help everyone feel prepared as they serve and engage with students in special education.]]> 2022-07-16 01:58:21 UTC https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2244375665 Advocacy for All: Serving Students with Disabilities mglaze21 https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2244378393 Quintana, T., Alvarez, J. (2019). Advocacy for all: Serving students with disabilities. Minnesota School Counselors Association. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Newsletters/November-2019/Advocacy-for-All-School-Counselors-and-Students-w?st=MN

In this article, authors Quintana and Alvarez discuss the importance of school counselors providing advocacy for all students, including those students with disabilities. School counselors should be well-versed in the laws of section 504, the IDEA act, and the Every Child Succeeds act. Research shows that many students with disabilities struggle with isolation and lack of peer relationships because they feel their disability hinders their ability to socialize how they wish. Working as a school counselor, we must advocate for students with disabilities to ensure they feel supported academically, behaviorally, and socially. ]]> 2022-07-16 02:07:43 UTC https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2244378393 IDEA mglaze21 https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2244383542 Citation: 20 U.S.C. 1412.
Link to Law Text: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/20/1412
Source of Law: Statutory Law 
Brief Summary:
  • Free and appropriate education for all students with disabilities
  • Individualized Educational Plan should be written and followed for students with disabilities
  • Children with disabilities will be served in the least restrictive environment along with general education students
]]> 2022-07-16 02:26:39 UTC https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2244383542 14th Amendment mglaze21 https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2245628148 Citation: U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 1.
Link to Law Text: https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/equal_protection
Brief Summary: 

  • 14th amendment states that government body cannot deny equal protection 
  • All individuals must be treated in the same manner as others
  • Special education students covered under this amendment
  • 14th amendment is the foundation for IDEA, ensuring FAPE, IEPs, and LRE
]]> 2022-07-18 21:28:09 UTC https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2245628148 Texas Education Code mglaze21 https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2245632862 Citation: 89 TEC § 1011 (a). 
Link to Law: https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/laws-and-rules/texas-administrative-code/19-tac-chapter-89
Brief Summary:

  • Referral for any student must be available and provided within the school system
  • If a student is struggling academically, then they should be considered for all services in the evaluation process
  • A student does not need to be in the intervention process prior to referral to be considered for special education services
  • Referral can be requested by school staff, parents, school counselors, or any other person involved in the education of the student


]]> 2022-07-18 21:45:30 UTC https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2245632862 Americans with Disabilities Act mglaze21 https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2246517962 Citation: 

29 U.S. Code § 794

Link to Law: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/29/794
Brief Summary:

  • Under Title II and Section 504, any institution receiving federal funds are not allowed to discriminate against individuals with disabilities
  • This includes colleges, universities, public schools, career and technical schools
  • All individuals are allowed to participate in any extracurricular or academic activities being offered to the general public within the institution

]]> 2022-07-20 01:18:31 UTC https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2246517962 Special Education- Board Policy mglaze21 https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2246981669 Citation: Henderson ISD. (2021). Special programs: Special education. https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Download/1037?filename=EHBA(LEGAL).pdf

Link: https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Download/1037?filename=EHBA(LEGAL).pdf

Summary of Information:
The policy information provided here for local administrative law covers what Henderson ISD enforces for special education students. This includes following IDEA and Section 504 laws as well as ADA compliance. Specifically, this policy ensures that all students, including those with disabilities, have equal opportunities.

]]> 2022-07-20 15:25:30 UTC https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2246981669 ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors mglaze21 https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2246993729 Ethical Code Item: A. 1. J.
Citation: American School Counselors Association. (2022). ASCA Ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/44f30280-ffe8-4b41-9ad8-f15909c3d164/EthicalStandards.pdf

Link: https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/44f30280-ffe8-4b41-9ad8-f15909c3d164/EthicalStandards.pdf

Brief Summary: 
Ethical Code Item number A.1.J. of the ASCA code of ethics for school counselors states that school counselors should advocate for equal policies and procedures so that all students needs are met. This includes programs, practices, interventions, and activities.

]]> 2022-07-20 15:45:47 UTC https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2246993729 Personal Connection to Special Education Laws mglaze21 https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2246996272 Understanding the laws that pertain to special education students is very important in my personal educational journey. As a school counselor, it is my job to advocate for all students, ensuring that equal opportunities are being provided and met. This includes students in general education as well as special education. Another important role I have as a school counselor is help identify those students who need additional support that can be provided through special education. 
The laws that are put into place (Section 504, IDEA, ADA, Title IX, 14th Amendment) are sound and reasonable. I feel these laws make it very clear what rights individuals have and how school districts should operate in providing support for everyone. ]]> 2022-07-20 15:50:18 UTC https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2246996272 mglaze21 https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2246998603
  • Review school district policy regarding special education programs and compliance statements.
  • Understand the laws that pertain to special education (IDEA, Section 504, ADA, Title IX)
  • Review 504 paperwork for students
  • Review special education paperwork for students
  • Follow accommodations that are stated in student paperwork for best practices
  • Ask questions when unsure (school counselors, diagnosticians, administrators)
  • Attend special education trainings when possible for latest updates
  • Refer students who you feel are struggling significantly (collaborate with school counselors for referral)

    • ]]>     2022-07-20 15:54:56 UTC https://padlet.com/mglaze21/v57ggcj5tzthpnja/wish/2246998603