Overview
Featured topics in this blog: Homeschooled and Private School Students with Disabilities Q & A, SCRED Paperwork Parties, and Getting New Year’s Resolutions to Stick.
Thank you for all the great work you do to improve outcomes for our students with disabilities! We recognize the challenges and demands of your positions and thus hope you have a relaxing and restful winter break and come back rejuvenated and energized for 2015!
Homeschooled and Private School Students with Disabilities Q & A
We have been receiving quite a few questions across the Education District regarding homeschooled and private school students with disabilities. Here is a short Q & A we put together based on the questions we have been fielding. We hope you find it helpful!
What is the difference between an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and an Individual Services Plan (ISP)?
An IEP is used for students who are receiving special education services as a public school student, whereas an ISP is used for students who are receiving special education services as a homeschooled or private school students.
How do I find an ISP in SpEd Forms?
When on a student’s IEP menu page in SpEd Forms, you will see a radio button for both IEP and ISP at the top left-hand side of the screen. The only real difference between the ISP and the IEP forms is the title at the top. All other components are identical and you can switch from one to the other by simply clicking the button. All of the information will transfer over from one to the other.
Where, how, and by whom will special education and related services be provided to homeschooled or private school students with disabilities?
If the District evaluates a child and determines that the child is eligible for special education services, the District will propose an Individual Services Plan (ISP) designed to provide the child with a free appropriate public education (FAPE). In this proposal, the District in consultation with representative of private schools and parents of children with disabilities, will determine where, how and by whom the special education and related services will be provided. This determination will be made on a case-by-case basis with consideration being given to the individual needs and circumstances of the child with a disability. The School District may choose to provide the services at a private school site, including a religious school, but the District is not required to do so. Parents may not choose to take advantage of the special education offered by the District, but the District must offer services that constitute a FAPE. Students found eligible for special education services who choose to stay enrolled in the private school will be provided equitable services to those students attending public schools.
What types of services may be provided?
The special education services that the District provides to private school children with disabilities may include all types of direct and indirect services. Indirect services may include, but are not limited to, assisting with the professional development of private school teachers who work with children with disabilities and providing consultation to assist private school personnel in meeting the needs of children with disabilities.
What should I do if I am asked to evaluate or serve a homeschooled or private school student to learn more about the process or documentation requirements?
Due to the infrequent need for special education service providers to be involved in these types of cases, please consult your school psychologist if you are asked to evaluate or serve a homeschooled or private school student. He/she can provide assistance regarding the process for evaluation, documentation requirements, programming considerations, and tracking of service hours.
SCRED Paperwork Parties
The first paperwork party of the year on October 29th was a success with special education case managers from across the SCRED districts represented. Thank you for those of you who gave up an evening to consult with your colleagues and SCRED staff and engage in professional learning through collaborative paperwork time. The feedback we received was very positive!
The next paperwork party is on January 29th from 4-8pm. The locations for the event will be the same: NBAHS Room B100 and Hinckley Elementary Library. As always, we will have pizza, learning, and support available for you as you take advantage of time to complete due process paperwork.
Special education licensed staff may sign up for paperwork parties with advance approval from their building principal or supervisor. Please register through the SCRED School Year Course Catalog (available on the SCRED website) if you plan to attend. Hope to see you there!
Getting New Year’s Resolutions to Stick
As we prepare to transition into the New Year, many of us might be considering a few New Year resolutions, either personal or professional, that we would like to make for 2015. We thought it might be kind of fun to include a link to a quick reading related to New Year’s resolutions and how to get them to “stick.” Click here for the reading. We hope you enjoy it!
