February 2010 | Links checked, February 2013 So you're looking for the resources in your state that can help you address disability issues. Great idea. There are a lot, in fact. At least there are a lot of possibilities for help that can be explored. We've organized this page by the types of help people seem to be looking when they call or write NICHCY, and what we might suggest in response. What's available in your state? Help … [Read more...]
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PDFGuidance from the U.S. Department of Education
Updated December 2012 The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the U.S. Department of Education regularly provides guidance to the field on the nation’s special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). “Guidance” can take several forms: OSEP’s correspondence in response to questions received from the field; policy documents and letters on priority issues; and non-regulatory guidance. All … [Read more...]
Q & A on IDEA 2004: Purposes and Key Definitions
April 2009 PDF Version More than 6.8 million children with disabilities in our public schools receive special education and related services as part of their publicly funded education. (1) But... What is special education? What are related services? Who’s considered a "child with a disability?" This Q&A is designed to answer these questions—looking in detail at the mandates and requirements of our nation’s special education … [Read more...]
Module 1: Top 10 Basics of Special Education
by Lisa Küpper, NICHCY July 2007 ** Este módulo está disponible en español: Los 10 Datos Principales Acerca de la Educación Especial Module 1 welcomes everyone to IDEA. With these training materials, you can learn about and give trainings that include: a quick overview to the 10 major steps in special education (three of which are evaluation, eligibility, and writing the IEP); and the top 5 acronyms used in special education (IDEA, … [Read more...]
Module 13: Content of the IEP
by Theresa Rebhorn and Lisa Küpper NICHCY | National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities December 2007 **Este módulo está disponible en español: El Contenido del IEP Module 13 looks in detail at the information that must be included in the IEP of every child with a disability receiving special education and related services under IDEA. This is critical knowledge for families and school personnel to have! The module is available … [Read more...]
Common causes of racial/ethnic disproportionality in special education
Does the pattern continue in spite of your efforts to make change? Here’s a resource that can help you identify the root causes of placement patterns. “Distinguishing Difference from Disability: The Common Causes of Racial/Ethnic Disproportionality in Special Education” is the Equity Alliance’s newest publication in its Equity in Action series. http://ea.niusileadscape.org/lc/Record/1305?search_query=Disproportionality … [Read more...]
For parents of children with developmental disabilities
Here's a 3-hour self-directed course that's been created to help parents of children with developmental disabilities understand and maximize the special education system. The course focuses on a child's right to a free appropriate public education, the laws that protect those rights and offers practical ways that parents can ensure that their children benefit from an inclusive education. The course reviews IDEA 2004 and includes current thinking on … [Read more...]
Neuroscience and special education
This 2011 policy analysis from Project Forum at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education discusses how findings from neuroscience are being applied to special education, describes outcomes from the research bridging the two fields, and discusses how institutions of higher education are creating interdisciplinary links between the two. The analysis also profiles three programs currently serving children with disabilities that … [Read more...]
Physical education—and adapted physical education
IDEA 2004 requires that students with disabilities be provided with physical education. If your child has a disability and an IEP, the school must provide physical education as part of your child's special education program. Many children benefit from adapted physical education. Read all about PE and adapted PE, at: http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/pe.index.htm … [Read more...]
Join the Conversation at #SpEdChat
by Dennise Goldberg Dennise Goldberg is the owner of Special Education Advisor, a community of parents, educators, and special education service providers dedicated to helping families with children who have special needs understand their special education rights and receive appropriate special education services. Dennise works with children with all forms of disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy, Asperger’s, and Down syndrome, to name … [Read more...]
