An advocate is a mentor and partner that is knowledgeable and walks alongside you to navigate the exceptional education process. It is vital for you to feel like an equal and confident member of the school team as well as to cultivate positive relationships with the school team.
Under IDEA, parents must approve certain actions before the school can act on them.
An Individualized Education Plan is developed each year and is written by the child's IEP Team. The child must have an educational impact and require specialized instruction for her to qualify as a child with a disability under IDEA.
IEP goals should be SMART Goals.
Goals and expectations should always be adaptable and start with maximum scaffolding.
IDEA: Individuals with Disability Education Improvement Act
If a school identifies a student with a disability who is in need of special education and related services to benefit from their education, are entitled to Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
You will be updated AT LEAST four times a year, at the same time as report cards/progress reports.
These are provided in regular education classes that enable children with disabilities to be educated with non-disabled children to the maximum extent appropriate.
These are necessary services that are provided for a child with a disability to benefit from special education.
They do not reduce learning expectations, but rather provide access. There are four types of accommodations:
These are adjustments to an assignment or test that changes the standard of what the test or assignment is supposed to measure. Examples of modifications include a child completing work on part of the standard, or a child completing an alternate assignment that is more easily achievable than the original assignments. Please note that modifications on state assessments, such as the SOL test, are not permitted.
If any of these apply to you, Contact Us to set up a complimentary consultation!