Oklahoma Parents Center Inc Statewide Parent Training and

Oklahoma Parents Center, Inc. Statewide Parent Training and Information Center 1 -877 -553 -4332 *** www. Oklahoma. Parents. Center. org Putting Together the IEP Puzzle!!! A Training Series for Parents

Oklahoma Parents Center, Inc. Statewide Parent Training and Information Center 1 -877 -553 -4332 *** www. Oklahoma. Parents. Center. org Putting Together the IEP Puzzle!!! The contents of this presentation were developed, in part, under a grant from the U. S. Department of Education, #H 328 M 100005. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U. S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer, David Emenheiser. This presentation is funded, in part, by a contract with the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). Views expressed in this presentation do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the OSDE.

The Oklahoma Parents Center is dedicated to the equality of children and adults with disabilities. Our mission is to train, inform, educate and support parents, families, professionals and consumers in building partnerships that meet the needs of children and youth with the full range of disabilities ages birth through twenty-six.

Who We are The (OPC) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit agency that operates the only statewide federally funded Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) in Oklahoma. We are funded in part under the Parent Training and Information Centers Grant Competition (CFDA 64. 3) and the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). The current project began October 1, 2014. Funded by the US Department of Education under IDEA Staff is likely to be a parent or siblings Approximately 105 Parent Centers in the United States and Territories

What we do v One on One Assistance v Trainings v Information and Resources

What we do – one on one assistance What happens when you contact us? v The main office will take your call and gather information to help get you paired with an OPC advocate. v The OPC advocate will call you back within 24 hours.

What we do - Trainings What trainings do we offer? v Complete list on our website at www. oklahomaparentscenter. org/parents/training/. How do I schedule a training? v That’s the easy part! Just call us and we walk you through the process.

What we do – Information and Resources Website and Facebook v Website offers information on IEPs, IDEA, Section 504, youth section, newsletters, and so much more. www. Oklahoma. Parents. Center. org v Facebook page gives up-to-date information to keep you informed, educated, and amused. www. facebook. com/Ok. Parents. Center/

Oklahoma Parents Center, Inc. Statewide Parent Training and Information Center 1 -877 -553 -4332 *** www. Oklahoma. Parents. Center. org 1) 2) 3) 4) Special Education 101: A Parent’s Guide The IEP Meeting: An Overview The IEP: Step-by-Step through each Section Keeping it All Together: Record Keeping Basics

Oklahoma Parents Center, Inc. Statewide Parent Training and Information Center 1 -877 -553 -4332 *** www. Oklahoma. Parents. Center. org Special Education 101 A parent’s guide.

Goals of this Training Define the IDEA Define Special Education Explain the Basic Special Education Process Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Explain Parents Rights (Procedural Safeguards) Proactive Communication with Your Child’s School

The IDEA – the definition The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.

The IDEA – the history 108 -446 2004 IDEA 04 105 -17 1997 IDEA 97 102 -119 1992 IDEA 101 -476 1990 IDEA 99 -457 1986 EHA 98 -199 1983 EHA 94 -142 1975 EAHCA

The IDEA – the bottom line In the law, Congress states: Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to participate in or contribute to society. Improving educational results for children with disabilities is an essential element of our national policy of ensuring equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic selfsufficiency for individuals with disabilities.

Special Education – the definition (as defined by IDEA at § 300. 39) Special education means specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability, including— (i) Instruction conducted in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals and institutions, and in other settings; and (ii) Instruction in physical education.

Special Education – the definition (as defined by IDEA at § 300. 39) Special education includes each of the following, if the services otherwise meet the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section— (i) Speech-language pathology services, or any other related service, if the service is considered special education rather than a related service under State standards; (ii) Travel training; and (iii) Vocational education. cont.

Special Education – the definition (as defined by OSDE Special Education Handbook) Specially designed instruction or speech/language therapy at no cost to the parent to meet the unique needs of a student with a disability including instruction in the classroom, the home, hospitals, institutions, and other settings; instruction in physical education; speech therapy and language therapy; transition services; travel training; assistive technology services; and vocational education. http: //sde. ok. gov/sde/documents-forms

Special Education – the definition Special education is instruction that is specially designed to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. This means education that is individually developed to address a specific child’s needs that result from his or her disability.

Special Education – the location Special Education is a SERVICE … not a PLACE!

Special Education – the location varies

The 10 Basic Steps in the Special Education Process - #1 Child is identified as possibly needing special education and related services – Documented as a Review of Existing Data (RED).

The 10 Basic Steps in the Special Education Process - #2 Child is evaluated – Could be a consideration of existing data or new data.

The 10 Basic Steps in the Special Education Process - #3 Eligibility is decided – Compare the data to see if there is a match to one of the disability categories defined in IDEA.

Special Education - eligibility Children with disabilities are eligible for special education and related services when they meet IDEA’s definition of a “child with a disability” which lists 13 different disability categories.

Special Education – eligibility IDEA Categories Autism Other health impairment Deafness Serious emotional disturbance Deaf-blindness Specific learning disability Hearing impairment Intellectual disabilities Speech or language impairment Multiple disabilities Traumatic brain injury Orthopedic impairment Visual impairment, including blindness

The 10 Basic Steps in the Special Education Process - #4 Child is found eligible for services.

The 10 Basic Steps in the Special Education Process - #5 IEP meeting is scheduled – Individualized Education Program!

The 10 Basic Steps in the Special Education Process - #6 IEP meeting is held and the IEP is written.

The 10 Basic Steps in the Special Education Process - #7 Services are provided.

The 10 Basic Steps in the Special Education Process - #8 Progress is measured and reported to parents.

The 10 Basic Steps in the Special Education Process - #9 IEP is reviewed – At least annually.

The 10 Basic Steps in the Special Education Process - #10 Child is reevaluated – At least every three (3) years.

Parents Rights (Procedural Safeguards) Procedural safeguards are an integral part of IDEA’s requirements. They represent guarantees for parents and their child with disabilities, as well as offer both school and parents a variety of options for resolving any disagreements.

Parents Rights (Procedural Safeguards) #1 Access to Educational Records

Parents Rights (Procedural Safeguards) #2 Procedural Safeguards Notice

Parents Rights (Procedural Safeguards) #3 Prior Written Notice

Parents Rights (Procedural Safeguards) #4 Understandable Language

Parents Rights (Procedural Safeguards) #5 Confidentiality of Information

Parents Rights (Procedural Safeguards) #6 “Stay Put” Rights

Parents Rights (Procedural Safeguards) #7 Resolving a Dispute Mediation Filing a State Complaint Due Process

Parents Rights (Procedural Safeguards) #8 Mediation: Parents and schools can communicate openly and respectfully about their differences as they try to reach an agreement with a skilled and impartial mediator. The decision-making power resides with the participants in mediation.

Parents Rights (Procedural Safeguards) #9 Filing a State Complaint: A formal written letter or state complaint form to the Oklahoma State Department of Education - Special Education Services (OSDE-SES) to report a violation or problem with a school. The decision-making power resides with the OSDESES.

Parents Rights (Procedural Safeguards) #10 Due Process: A parent or school must write a written complaint to begin this process. The complaint can involve any aspect of how the parent believes the school is violating IDEA. The decision-making power resides with the hearing officer.

Parents Rights (Procedural Safeguards) #11 IEP Facilitation: This is an informal approach to help families and schools resolve disputes and is optional – both parents and the school must agree to participate. A facilitated IEP meeting is the same as any other IEP meeting, except that a facilitator joins the meeting.

Proactive Communication with Your Child’s School - concerns Do you have concerns about your child’s progress? Grades Retention Progress towards IEP Goals

Proactive Communication with Your Child’s School - contact Contact your child’s School! They are there to help. Phone or Email Daily Communication Log Schedule an in-person visit

Proactive Communication with Your Child’s School - timeliness Waiting until the end of the semester or the next IEP meeting is often too late for changes to occur.

How to contact us Oklahoma Parents Center, Inc. (OPC) P. O. Box 512 Holdenville, OK 74848 Phone: 877 -553 -4332 Email: info@oklahomaparentscenter. org

How to contact us - online Visit our Web Site: www. Oklahoma. Parents. Center. org Follow us on Facebook: www. facebook. com/Ok. Parents. Center/

How to contact us - personal Latisha Coats Director of Federal and State Programs Phone: 405 -712 -8050 Email: lcoats@oklahomaparentscenter. org

What’s Next The IEP Meeting: An Overview What is an IEP - IEP Meeting When and Where is the IEP Meeting What should you do before the IEP Meeting What happens at the IEP Meeting Who develops the IEP What information needs to be in the IEP What to do if you disagree with something

Thank you for attending!