Posts Tagged school district

Can Special Education Personnel Pick And Choose Services And What About Waiting Lists

Have you been told by special education personnel that they do not provide Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy, for children with autism? Have you been told that your school district only provides certain services, due to money issues? Is your child on a waiting list for educational or related services? This article will discuss whether the Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act (IDEA), allows special education personnel to only provide certain services to children with a disability. Also discussed, are children put on waiting lists for related and educational services.

IDEA defines special education as: specially designed instruction at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability…

The purpose of IDEA is to provide an education that meets a child’s unique needs and prepares the child for further education, employment and independent living.

Special Education Personnel cannot pick and choose which services that they are going to offer to children with disabilities. That having been said, many school personnel do try and limit what services that they will give children. This is the reason why it is critical that you stand up to special education personnel, who may ruin your child’s life by not giving them the services that they need.

If special education personnel try and limit your child’s services, ask them to show you, under what authority they have the right to deny your child needed educational services (there isn’t any). Remember what special education is-special designed instruction to meet the unique needs of your child.

Also, consider getting an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) of your child to prove what services that your child needs. The evaluator can participate in an IEP meeting by telephone, when the evaluations recommendations are discussed.

Waiting lists are also not allowed under IDEA. The difficulty is that when special education personnel state that they are putting your child on a waiting list, it sounds like it could be reasonable. It is not until you find out that waiting lists are not allowed, that you realize that you have been deceived. Always ask special education personnel to prove to you in writing, that what they are saying is the truth. If they cannot show you in writing that what they said is truthful; it probably is not.

For Example: Your 3 year old child with autism needs Applied Behavioral Analysis Treatment. The special education personnel, tells you that the class is full, and that they are waiting for additional funding for a new class. But in the mean time, your child will be put on a waiting list. Write them a letter, documenting what they said, and ask them to show you where it states in federal or state law, that they are allowed to have waiting lists (they aren’t). File for a state complaint for violation of your child’s rights.

By understanding what special education personnel can and cannot do under IDEA, helps you in your advocacy efforts for your child. Do not give up fighting for an appropriate education for your child, or their life may be forever ruined!

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A Special Education with Special Education Online Courses

In one community alone, the superintendent of schools anticipates hiring 50-100 new teachers with the next five years. Because of increasing needs, many positions will be available for special education teachers. Unfortunately, special ed teachers are in short supply. Therefore, special education online courses can help potential teachers become exceptional children specialists, and current teachers can take the necessary online courses to obtain a special education endorsement or obtain a graduate degree in special education.

First, school districts around the country are desperate for qualified exceptional children specialists. (A glorified term for special education teachers) Understandably, special education teachers have additional challenges and concerns beyond those of a regular classroom teacher. Teaching physically, mentally, emotionally, and learning disabled students takes a very special educator. However, with the added convenience of special education online courses, the call for special teachers can reach the individuals wanting to enroll in a special education program and make the difference in the lives of exceptional children, who cannot afford to relocate or give up a current job in the interim.

Current teachers may also want to consider enrolling in a special education program. With distance education, teachers can acquire the credits necessary to retain accreditation, while gain a valuable endorsement in special education. For instance, whether a teacher currently teaches at the grade school, middle school, or high school level, all states require teachers to continue learning to earn a certain number of credits in a specific period of time. Therefore, special education online courses can provide the schools with quality special education teachers, and answer the educational requirements for continued certification.

Finally, current exceptional children specialists should always want to learn more, in answer to the growing needs of special students. While a bachelor’s degree is an excellent step in the right direction, many teachers can also strive for graduate degrees. Thus, teachers can even earn a distance doctorate in special education online courses. Colleges understand the need to continue guiding exceptionally challenged children, while furthering personal knowledge and educational goals. Even teachers currently holding a Master’s degree receive a specialized curriculum with special education online courses.

In summary, administrators and students need more exceptionally qualified teachers in the area of special education. In addition, current teachers are considering additional career options by seeking a special education endorsement. Finally, exceptional children specialists are taking the proactive approach and returning for graduate degrees and an increased knowledge base. Whatever the need, special education online course are available to circumvent the difficulties related to continued college education.

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Special Education Advocates Role in Advocating For Children With Disabilities

Are you the parent of a child with autism or other disability? Would you like to know what an advocate does in the special education process? Do you wonder if a special education advocate could help you in fighting for needed services, for your child? This article will explain what the role of a special education advocate is, and whether they could help you advocate for a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for your child.

There is currently no certification for special education advocates! This is the reason why it is sometimes difficult to find one that is knowledgeable, and has expertise in special education.

The role of a special education advocate is to:

  1. Have a working knowledge of state and federal laws that cover special education, and know how to use them to advocate for children. Federal law is Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Each state is required to have a law that must comply with IDEA.
  2. Understand different types of disabilities and have experience advocating for children of different disabilities
  3. Take time to know the child, and work with the parent to determine what services and placement a child needs, and advocate for them! This may require the parent getting an independent educational evaluation with a qualified evaluator.
  4. Educate parents as to research based practices, as well as best practices. IDEA requires, that curriculum and programs be scientifically research based, which parents need to understand.
  5. Have knowledge of different school districts and also how to advocate with different personalities of special education personnel. People are all different and the advocate must understand the best way to deal with the different personalities.
  6. Act in a professional manner, whenever possible, to help parents get needed special education services and placements for their child. A good advocate is firm and refuses to back down when intimidated by special education personnel.
  7. Teach parents advocacy skills so that they may learn how to advocate for their child!

A special education advocate can be extremely helpful in advocating for your child. If you think an advocate could help you check out your local disability organizations, and see if they have an advocate on staff. Check organizations such as a Center of Independent Living, Parent Training and Advocacy Centers (available in all states). If you hire a private advocate make sure you check their credentials, and make sure that they have experience with children with your child’s type of disability. This will ensure that the advocate understands what your child needs, and will be able to advocate for them.

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