Education for Foster Care What Do Educational Specialists

Education for Foster Care

What Do Educational Specialists Do? • Regional Education Specialists – Assist staff, parents, resource parents and students with education issues – Attend child-specific meetings as advocates for students – Conduct training for staff, schools, and resource parents – Notify schools of reportable student offenses – Monitor and assist private provider in-house schools – Conduct education file reviews – Participate in regional meetings and activities

When Should the Ed Specialist Be Contacted? • When the child/youth: – is being suspended expelled or is currently suspended or expelled and will be changing school systems (or is not in school). – has a zero tolerance offense (for drugs, weapons, or assault) and is changing school systems (or is not in school). – has severe disabilities. – is struggling academically in school. – is at least seventeen (17) years old and has few academic credits. – has been home schooled previously or is currently being considered by the CFT for home school or private school. – is being denied enrollment in public school. – is having significant behavior problems in school. – has a history of special education and does not have a current Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Educational Passport

Testing v TCAP – Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program v EOC – End of Course v Civics Test v ACT – American College Testing /SAT – Scholastic Aptitude Test v Hi. SET – High School Equivalency Test v RTI 2 – Response to Instruction and Intervention

TEIS v Children under the age of 3 v Referral required for DCS substantiated cases v Identifying disabilities or delays v Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) v Parental Rights

Special Education v Referral v Evaluation v Eligibility v Individual Education Program v Re-Evaluation v Parental Rights

Thank you for your attention DCS Education Division Website www. tn. gov/dcs/program-areas/education. html