Breaking down the Special Education Referral Process
Since my school is on holidays, it was very difficult to find a counselor or teachers to speak with. I tried sending out some emails but I'm assuming that everyone is on vacation. Therefore, I found two you tube videos, that go over the special education referral process in detail. Most of the interview questions are answered in the information below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8eG66Mzo5M Referral Evaluation and Eligibility for Special Education Process
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU2XzCEsAEE Developing the Individualized Education Plan IEP
What is a Special Education Referral Process ?
A special education referral process is a request for a child evaluation if any concerns regarding their mental , physical or general well being are hampering their growth in school . Special referrals can be proposed by social workers , parents, teachers, doctors or other people who are approximate to the child. It is also a no cost to parents and meets the needs of students with disabilities so that no one is left behind.
Laws that govern the Special Education Referral Process:
In order for a student to be eligible for a special education referral process, they must meet the requirements established by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that provides a free appropriate public education for all children with disabilities. This process is broken down into 2 parts. Early intervention 0-3 years under the governance of the individualized family service plan (IFSP) and Special Education for ages 3 to 22 under the governance of the individualized education plan (IEP). The civil rights law section 504 Rehabilitation act of 1973 also states that disabled children have equal rights of attending and accessing activities that other children have.
IFSP VS IEP
Individualized
Family Service Plan (IFSP)
|
Individualized
Education Plan (IEP)
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Birth to 3rd Birthday
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Age 3 to 22nd birthday
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Family Centered
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Child Centered
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Natural Environment
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School-Environment
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Based on Family Needs
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Based on Childs Needs
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Under Health Agency
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Under Education Agency
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Coordinated , Multi-Agency
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Related Services through the school district
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Evaluation Process
This is the gathering information process to determine weather a child falls under IDEA's criteria for disabled children. More than one test will be carried out in different methods and forms to gather the necessary information on the child's areas of concern. In some cases the student's IQ should also be measured. In addition, tests and evaluations should be given according to the needs of the student. (Ex. hearing problem).
What is an IEP plan (Individualized Education Plan)?
- Developed in a team meeting
- Members of the IEP team include (Parents, Teachers, Special Education Teacher, student when appropriate, psychologist and a member from the local education agency to provide funding).
- It is a tailored plan for the student with the disability
- Guides the student
- It Determines placement
Level of Parent Involvement ?
- Parent involvement is crucial in the special education referral process as they are the true experts on their children and they are the ones that spend the most time with them.
- Parents are shown how to put information together
- They are told the different laws they will be dealing with
- They are shown the different programs to see if they will fit the child's need
- The special education referral process is a written request. If the parents do not sign it than no further actions can take place
- Parents also attend all meetings because they have valuable information about their child. Their presence in these meetings are crucial in order to keep track of the child's improvement.
Comparative Analysis :
This activity and the previous one broadened my knowledge about personalized learning and special education referral processes. Both activities are similar in the sense that their roots are derived from the IDEA act. They both provide different methods of approaching students who need extra assistance. What I have learnt is that cooperation is essential amongst staff and people involved in the students future because together many different ideas and thoughts can be generated in order to provide the best possible help . In addition, both activities give great importance to all types of children to make sure no body is left behind. Technology has been a handy asset for to facilitate learning for children with disabilities as well as providing different approaches to learning that are more effective and efficient such as the online algorithm in the New York school of one. Without these types of technologies I think the level of growth would have been slower . Furthermore, both activities emphasize on the importance of proper staff training, because without them, it would be very difficult to make proper judgments and analyze situations at a professional level. I also learned that constant communication with parents is crucial as they can provide a copious amount of information on their child which can facilitate intervention. Parent involvement is important for that matter and it also makes the parents feel more at ease and more in control of their child's situation.
