Special Education 101

Special Education: A SERVICE, NOT A PLACE

John Payne, Director

Office of Special Education Services
South Carolina Department of Education

What is Special Education?

300.39 Special education.
Special education is specially designed
instruction, at no cost to the parents,
to meet the unique needs of a
child with a disability.

What is Special Education?

This means education that is individually
developed to address a specific childs needs
that result from his or her disability.
Since each child is unique, it is difficult to
give an overall example of special education.
It is individualized for each child.

Important Acronyms

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Our nations special education law

IDEA 2004
Ensures that all children with disabilities
have available to them a free appropriate
public education that emphasizes special
education and related services designed to
meet their unique needs and prepare
them for further education, employment
and independent living.

Important IEP Acronyms

Free Appropriate Public Education

What States must make available

to all eligible children with disabilities

Important IEP Acronyms

Individual Education Program

Every public school child with disabilities
receiving IDEA-funded special education
must have one

5 Basics about the IEP

Individualized

Written plan for a childs education

Written by parents and school staff together

Lists the special education the child will

receive, and more

Is both a document and a process that is

updated at least annually

Required Members of the IEP team

Parents
Student (ages 13 + must be invited to IEP meetings)
Special Education Teacher(s)
General Education teacher(s)
LEA representative who meets necessary requirements
Individual who can interpret the instructional
implications of evaluation results
Others individuals who have knowledge or special
expertise regarding the child, including related service
personnel

What exactly is a LEA Rep??

An employee of the school/district that is1. Qualified to provide or supervise the
provision of special education
2. Knowledgeable about the general
education curriculum
3. Able to commit the resources of the
district

Important IEP Acronyms

Least Restrictive Environment

Children with disabilities are to be educated
with children who do not have disabilities,
to the maximum extent appropriate

Important IEP Acronyms

Functional Behavior Assessment

A process that searches for an explanation of the
purpose behind a childs problem behavior
Must have parent permission to conduct!

Important IEP Acronyms

Behavioral Intervention Plan

Describe interventions and modifications to encourage
replacement behaviors

Important IEP Acronyms

Manifestation Determination Review

A meeting which must take place within 10 days of a
behavior infraction that would cause a student to be
removed from their current placement for more than
10 days

10 Steps:
The Basics of Special Education
Process under IDEA
Step 1. Child is identified as possibly needing
special education and related services
Child Find-Determining Eligibility
Each state is required by IDEA to identify, locate, and
evaluate all children with disabilities in the state who need
special education and related services. To do so, LEAs
conduct what are known as Child Find activities.
Referral or request for evaluation.
Referrals can be made by both parents and district
personnel

10 Steps:
The Basics of Special Education
Process under IDEA
Step 2. Child is evaluated
Comprehensive Evaluation

Must be decided upon by an evaluation team

Many methods of assessment
Not just done by the school psychologist
Must assess all areas of suspected disability and to
plan for IEP development
Parents must sign consent for evaluation

10 Steps:
The Basics of Special Education
Process under IDEA
Step 3. Eligibility is decided

Must follow South Carolina eligibility criteria

Parents are part of the group that decides eligibility.
Parents do not have to sign consent for eligibility
Proper procedures for determination must be followed

10 Steps:
The Basics of Special Education
Process under IDEA
Step 4. Child is found eligible for services

Step 5. IEP meeting is scheduled within 30 days

of eligibility determination
Step 6. IEP meeting is held, and the IEP is
written

10 Steps:
The Basics of Special Education
Process under IDEA
Step 7. Services are provided
Must be provided by HQ staff
IEP must be implemented as written
General education teachers must be made aware of
their responsibilities
Students may not be excluded from ANYTHING
because of their disability

10 Steps:
The Basics of Special Education
Process under IDEA
Step 8. Progress is measured and reported to
parents
His or her parents are regularly informed of the childs
progress and whether that progress is enough for the child
to achieve his/her annual goals by the end of the year.
Parents are provided with periodic reports on the progress
the child is making toward meeting the annual goals.

10 Steps:
The Basics of Special Education
Process under IDEA
Step 9. IEP is reviewed
The childs IEP is reviewed by the IEP Team at least
once a year, or more often if the parents or school ask
for a review.
Parents, as Team members, must be invited to attend
these meetings. Parents can make suggestions for
changes, can agree or disagree with the IEP goals, and
agree or disagree with the placement.

10 Steps:
The Basics of Special Education
Process under IDEA
Step 10. Child is reevaluated

At least every three years the child must be reevaluated,

unless the parents and school agree that a reevaluation is
unnecessary.
This evaluation is often called a triennial.
Its purpose is to find out if the child continues to be a child
with a disability, as defined by IDEA, and what the childs
educational needs are.
However, the child must be reevaluated more often if
conditions warrant or if the childs parent or teacher asks
for a new evaluation.

Questions?????
For additional information, please contact:

Office of Special Education Services

803-734-8224

http://ed.sc.gov/agency/ccr/SpecialEducation-Services/