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Policy Analysis

Katie Brogan
Wayne State University SW 4710
October 6, 2014


www.gograph.com
In the 2012-2013 school year 211, 383 individuals from birth to 26
years old had an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) in place.
(Programs, 2013)

The lack of resources available to students, parents, and school
personnel affects children's ability to learn. (Hycki, 2014)

The lack of knowledge parents of school aged children have on the
services their child might be eligible for along with the guidelines
for those services are affecting children's education. (Hycki, 2014)

The number of children that are told they dont qualify for
services when they do effect the education they are recieving.
(Hycki, 2014)
Number of Michigan Students with an IEP
Primary Disability Categories
Birth to Age 26
2012-2013 School Year
Michigan Disability Categories Number Percent
Autism Spectrum Disorder 16,729 7.9
Cognitive Impairment 20,751 9.8
Deaf-Blindness 21 <0.1
Early Childhood Development Delay 7,077 3.3
Emotional Impairment 12,579 6
Hearing Impairment 2,898 1.4
Other Health Impairment 22,130 10.5
Physical Impairment 2,475 1.2
Severe Multiple Impairment 3,912 1.9
Specific Learning Disability 68,642 32.5
Speech and Language Impairment 52,766 25
Traumatic Brain Injury 583 0.3
Visual Impairment 820 0.4
Total 211,383 100
(Programs, 2013)

Policies that were implemented to give all children access to a free
education.

Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (EHA). Called
for free appropriate public education for children age 3 to 21 years
old. (Advisor, 2004)

Individualized Education Program, Least Restrictive Environment,
and federal funding. (Advisor, 2004)

EHA was amended in 1986 to included services starting at birth.
(Advisor, 2004)

1990 EHA was renamed Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA). This also brought an expanded eligibility categories and
defining of assistive devices
(Advisor, 20040


Policies that were implemented to give all children access to a free
education.

In 1997 IDEA was amended to add transitions services and set
standards for IEPs
(Education, 2014)


In 2004 IDEA was amended again to include more laws such as
the 10 day rule to prevent schools for expelling students for their
disability
(Education, 2014)




Individual Educational Plan (IEP)
IEP is to allow transparency between providers of special services,
general education teachers, and parents. (Advisor, 2004)

IEP is to set forth measurable goals that will be reviewed annually.
(Advisor, 2004)

States what if any modification, accommodations, or support is
needed. (Advisor, 2004)

Is used to ensure children are receiving the least restricted services
needed to succeed in school. (Advisor, 2004)

Can be initiated by the school personnel or parents. (Advisor,
2004)


Laws have been set to ensure all children that qualify for
services are given an IEP. (Education, 2014)

IEPs are to be reviewed at least every three year, or when a
child changes grade placement being modified as needed.
(Education, 2014)

IEPs help facilitate a childs academic education along with
social skills, speech, along with gross and fine motor skills.
(Education, 2014)

Schools receive both federal and state funding for educating
children with disabilities, laws and regulations. Both the
state and federal government places mandates on schools.
(Education, 2014)






Initiating the Process

Parent makes a written request for their child to be evaluated.
(Education, 2014)

The school has 10 days to respond and ask for consent.
(Education, 2014)

Within 30 days after consent is received an IEP meeting will be
scheduled. (Education, 2014)

If accommodation, modifications, or support is needed, it will be
provided with in 15 days of the IEP meeting. (Education, 2014)

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Parent_Guide_14_1
74320_7.pdf




Interview with Advocate Rebecca Hycki LMSW

Rebecca Hycki LMSW works for the Community of Mental Health.
The biggest problems she faces when advocating for her clients
education rights are.
1) Parents do not know their rights
2) Parents do not know what services the school district is required
to provide for free
3) Schools do not complete IEPs within the allocated time frame.
4) Schools try to convince parents that their child does not qualify
for services, when they do.

These problems are very complex, parents do care but they do not
know where to go for information on the services their child could
qualify. Also school personnel do care but they are under funded,
under staffed, and not trained enough to help all students with a
disability.
(Hycki, 2014)



Educational policies such as the EHA and IDEA have gone great
strides in improving equal access to all children, but it is not enough.
Policies where implemented without knowing where the funding was
going to come from. Schools are mandated to provide an array of
services to students with no way to pay for them. Educational
policies need to be amended to include where the funding is coming
from to ensure all students are given the best equal education.

References

Programs, U. S. (2013, April 23). Michigan Department of Education.
Retrieved from Annual Performance Report/State Performance Plan:
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/MI_PartB_APR_FFY_2
012_446666_7.pdf

Bazelon Center for Mental Health. (1998). A New IDEA: A Parent's
Guide to the Changes in Special Education Law for Children with
Disabilities. Washington, DC.
The Council for Exceptional Children. 1998. IDEA 97: Let's Make It
Work, Reston, VA.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997. (P.
L. 105-17). 1997. 20 U.S.C. Chapter 33.

References

Advisor, S. E. (2004). Special Education Advisor. Retrieved from Special
Education Advisor:
http://www.specialeducationadvisor.com/special-education-laws/a-
brief-history-of-special-education-legislation/

Education, U. D. (2014, October). US Department of Education.
Retrieved from UD Department of Education:
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/%2Croot%2Cdynamic%2CTopic
alBrief%2C4%2C

Hycki, R. (2014, October 5). Licensed Master Social Worker. (K.
Brogan, Interviewer)

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