special education in kentucky what parents need to know about special education in kentucky logan...

What Parents Need to Know About

Special Education in Kentucky

LOGAN COUNTY SCHOOLS

Barry W. Goley, Directorbarry.goley@logan.kyschools.us

270.726.2436

LOGAN COUNTY SCHOOLS

Serves approximately 575 students with disabilities, in all grades (preschool through 12th & 14th).

Employ 34 special education teachers, 7 speech-language pathologist, 3 occupational therapist, 1 physical therapist, 3 school psychologist, and 1 social worker

Definition of Special Education

Special education means “specially designed instruction and related services, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of the eligible child with a disability. It may include instruction in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals and institutions, and in other settings.”

RegulationsFederal Regulations - 34 CFR Parts 300 and

303Kentucky Administrative Regulations - 707

KAR 1:280 through 707 KAR 1:380Local School District Procedures

Kentucky Department of EducationDivision of Learning Services

500 Mero StreetFrankfort, Kentucky 40601

www.kde.state.ky.usLocal Board of EducationDirector of Special Education

http://www.logan.kyschools.us

History of Federal LawPublic Law 94-142 Education for all

Handicapped Children Act (1975)Amendments 1983, ’86, ‘90IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education

Act) - 1990IDEA ’97 (Public Law 105-17)IDEA ’04 (108-446)

Definition of Advocate

An advocate in terms of special education is someone who speaks or acts on behalf of a child with special needs.

Who are Advocates for your child?

o Parento Principalo Regular Education

Teachero Special Education

Teachero Related Service

Providerso Special Education

Director

o Doctoro Therapisto First Steps

Personnelo Relativeso Family Friendso Others

How Do I Advocate for My Child?

Know your child’s abilities. Understand your child’s disability Identify your child’s needs List your concerns.

How Do I Advocate for My Child?

Be aware of relevant laws and where to get information.

Understand procedural safeguards the law provides to protect the rights of your child.

Know your local district’s special education procedures.

How Do I Advocate for My Child?

Get to know school personnel, district staffBe aware of educational and non-academic

services that are available under the law.

How Do I Advocate for My Child?

Maintain a home file/notebook.Attend all meetings. Write your questions

down before the meeting.Know where to look for support.Communicate with the school; don’t wait

until there’s a problem.

Where Do I Look for Support?School your child attendsLocal Special Education

Department/DirectorSpecial Education Cooperative (GRREC)Parent support groupsBooks and internetSpecific Disabilities' Organizations

Before the Meeting1. What is your child good at? List strengths - positive points.2. What does you child need help with? List weaknesses.3. What are your goals for your child for the next 12 months?4. What are your dreams and future goals for your child?

(What do you expect your child to be doing at age 18? 25? 40?):

5. What part of your child's individual education program do you think has best helped your child?

6. Other important information you would like to share about your child.

7. What additional concerns or questions to you want to present to the team?

Before the Meeting:Know:

Who is invited to the meeting (Notice of ARC Meeting)

Why they’re invited.The purpose of the meeting.

Before the Meeting (Cont.)Gather copies of school work, notes from

teachers, personal observations, and progress reports.

Review records and notes of past conferences.

Be familiar with your child’s IEP (Individual Education Program).

Before the Meeting (Cont.)Think about any problems your child is

having in school. Example: Are any goals or objectives not being

met? Think about possible solutions to share with the

team.Make a list of significant changes, such as

medication changes, major family events, etc.

Before the Meeting (Cont.)You may invite someone who has knowledge

about your child to attend the meeting with you.

Remember to bring your written ideas, questions and observations.

Any documentation from outside agencies (e.g., physician statements, therapist, etc.)

During the MeetingThink of yourself as part of the team. Remember you are an expert regarding your

child.Share your ideas/goals with the rest of the

team.What would you like to see your child doing

through the course of the upcoming year? Your expectations?

During the Meeting (Cont.)Ask questions!

Ask for clarification of any terms, acronyms or procedures that you do not understand.

Be specific regarding your concerns and priorities.

Take notes regarding who will do what and when.

During the Meeting (Cont.)Stay with the purpose of the meeting until it

is achieved. Ask for another meeting if you did not have

enough time to discuss all of the important issues.

Before leaving the meeting, know exactly what your next step(s) will be and get a copy of all paperwork.

After the MeetingCheck your notes regarding who will do

what and when.Share information with the rest of the family.Stay in touch with your child’s

teachers/service providers.Acknowledge people’s efforts.

Special Education Cycle

Evaluation

Eligibility

Individualized Education Program

Placement

Instruction

Annual Review

Referral

EvaluationsThe evaluation data is a critical component

that drivers: - Disability Determination

Disability CategoriesKentucky recognizes 14 disability categories

Eligibility criteria varies among the categories, and the criteria is governed by the regulations.

Some categories are very specific; other categories are more flexible based upon the data presented.

EvaluationsThe evaluation data is a critical component

that drivers:

- Individual Education Program (IEP)

Individual Education Program (IEP)An IEP is a written plan of action for a

student with a disability who is eligible to receive special education and related services.

The IEP describes the student’s needs (& strengths), annual goals, specially designed instruction and supplementary aids and services to address the needs of a student

Individual Education Program (IEP)The purpose of an IEP is:

- Provide access to the general curriculum - Ensure the student is making progress in

the general curriculum - Address the student’s unique educational

needs - Prepare your student for further education,

employment and independent living

EvaluationsThe evaluation data is a critical component

that drivers:

- Specially Designed Instruction

What will we provide?The evaluation will also determineSpecially Designed Instruction – “what

the teacher does”Supplementary Aids and Services – “what

the student needs”

EvaluationsThe evaluation data is a critical component

that drivers:

- Accommodations and Modifications

Accommodations & ModificationsAccommodations are tools or procedures

that provide equal access to instruction and assessment for students with disabilities.

It is provided to “level the playing field” without changing or lowering expectations

Accommodations & ModificationsModifications are changes made to the

curriculum that alters or lowers the expectation of the course, standard or test.

Modifications change “the field you are playing on”.

Questions and Answers