Special Education Program Administrator's Handbook, 1st edition

Preface.

 

Contributors.

 

1. Understanding the Law.

 

OVERVIEW

 

SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW

 

Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142)

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act

 

PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE

 

Tips

Pitfalls to Avoid

 

RESOURCES

 

IDEA 2004 Law and Regulations

 

REFERENCES

 

2. 504 Accommodation Plans.

 

OVERVIEW 21

 

SECTION 504 REGULATIONS AND DEFINITIONS

 

Regulations

Definitions

 

EDUCATIONAL ASPECTS

 

Determining Need for Section 504

Free Appropriate Public Education

Least Restrictive Environment

Appropriate Evaluation and Placement

Evaluation and Reevaluation

Placement

Procedural Safeguards

504 Accommodation Plans and Responsibilities

Section 504 versus IDEA

 

PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE 29

 

Tips

Pitfalls to Avoid

 

RESOURCES

 

REFERENCES

 

APPENDIX: SAMPLE NOTICES AND AGREEMENTS

 

3. Preparing for Due Process Hearings and Mediation.

 

OVERVIEW

 

REGULATIONS

 

PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE

 

Tips for Avoiding Due Process Hearings

Tips for Handling Inevitable Pitfalls

Tips for Protecting the IEP Team Process

When All Else Fails

How to Guarantee a Due Process Hearing

 

RESOURCES

 

Websites and Technical Assistance

 

REFERENCES

 

4. Dealing with Discipline.

 

OVERVIEW

 

REGULATIONS 51

 

Change of Placement for Disciplinary Reasons

Authority of School Personnel

Authority of Hearing Officer

Determination of Setting

Manifest Determination Review

Behavior Determined Not a Manifestation of Disability

Parent Appeal

Placement during Appeals

Protections for Children Not Yet Eligible for Services

Expedited Due Process Hearings

Referral to and Action by Other Authorities

 

PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE 56

 

Tips

Pitfalls to Avoid

 

RESOURCES

 

5. Dealing Effectively with Child Find.

 

OVERVIEW

 

CHILD FIND REQUIREMENTS 59

 

Regulations

Changes in Child Find Activities through the IDEA 2004

 

PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE

 

Reasons for Maintaining Awareness Strategies over Time

Tips

Pitfalls to Avoid

 

RESOURCES

 

Websites

Technical Assistance

 

6. The Referral and Evaluation Process.

 

OVERVIEW

 

THE REFERRAL PROCESS

 

Regulations

Putting Principles into Practice

 

THE EVALUATION PROCESS

 

General Requirements: Regulations

Putting Principles into Practice

 

RESOURCES

 

Websites

Technical Assistance

 

7. Monitoring Students in Special Education and Related Services.

 

OVERVIEW

 

REGULATIONS

 

Changes in Monitoring Activities through the IDEA 2004

 

PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE

 

Tips

Pitfalls to Avoid

 

RESOURCES

 

Websites

Technical Assistance

 

8. Understanding Placement Issues

 

OVERVIEW

 

REGULATIONS: INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAMS 98

 

IEP Content

IEP Team Attendance

Provisions Related to Students’ Transferring into the LEA

Amending the IEP

Multiyear IEP Demonstration

 

EXISTING REGULATIONS

 

PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE

 

Tips

Pitfalls to Avoid

 

RESOURCES

 

Websites

Technical Assistance

 

9. Dealing Effectively with Transition Services in the Individualized Education Program (IEP).

 

OVERVIEW

 

REGULATIONS

 

PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE 117

 

Planning Stages

Tips

Pitfalls to Avoid

Frequently Asked Questions about Transition Services

 

RESOURCES

 

Example of a Transition Plan

Organizations

 

REFERENCES

 

10. Working Effectively with Parent Groups.

 

OVERVIEW

 

PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE

 

Organizing New Groups

Working with Existing Groups

 

RESOURCES

 

11. Effectively Supporting Within-District and School Transitions.

 

OVERVIEW

 

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT WITHIN-DISTRICT AND SCHOOL TRANSITIONS

 

How Transferring Affects Students

 

PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE

 

Critical Elements

Transition Tips

A Dozen Facts to Know about Transitions

 

REFERENCES

 

12. Managing Federal Funds.

 

OVERVIEW

 

REGULATIONS

 

TIPS AND PITFALLS TO AVOID

 

RESOURCES

 

13. Managing Special Education Budgets.

 

OVERVIEW

 

BUDGETING CYCLE

 

BUDGET PREPARATION ACTIVITIES

 

ACCOUNTING CODES: FUNCTIONS AND OBJECTS

 

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

 

CALCULATING AND BUDGETING FOR THE TOTAL COST OF OPERATION

 

TIPS AND PITFALLS TO AVOID

 

RESOURCES

 

REFERENCES

 

14. Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE).

 

OVERVIEW

 

REGULATIONS

 

PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE 183

 

Appropriateness of Evaluation

Scope of Evaluation

Utility of Evaluation for IEP Development

Final Tips

Pitfalls to Avoid

 

REFERENCES

 

15. Contracting with Outside Service Providers.

 

OVERVIEW

 

REGULATIONS

 

ROLES OF SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

Audiology Services

Counseling Services

Early Identification and Assessment

Medical Services

Occupational Therapy Services

Orientation and Mobility Therapy Services

Parent Counseling and Training

Physical Therapy

Psychological Services

Recreation Services

Rehabilitation Counseling Services

School Health Services

Social Work Services in Schools

Speech-Language Pathology Services

Transportation Services

 

PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE 193

 

Tips

Avoiding Inadequate Contracted Services

Pitfalls to Avoid

 

RESOURCES

 

Websites

Other Agencies

Government Agencies

Government-Supported Organizations

 

16. Navigating the Mental Health System.

 

OVERVIEW

 

REGULATIONS

 

STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

 

GUIDELINES AND TIPS ON NAVIGATING INTERAGENCY COORDINATION

 

PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE

 

Tips

Guidelines for Avoiding Inadequate Mental Health Services

 

RESOURCES

 

Websites

Other Agencies

 

REFERENCES

 

17. Running Efficient and Effective Staff Meetings.

 

OVERVIEW

 

SUGGESTIONS FOR EFFECTIVE MEETINGS

 

PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE

 

Tips

Pitfalls to Avoid

 

REFERENCES

 

18. Building Relationships with Special Education Staff.

 

OVERVIEW

 

REGULATIONS

 

PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE

 

Building Interpersonal Skills

Managing Special Education

 

REFERENCES

 

19. Evaluating Special Education Staff.

 

OVERVIEW

 

REGULATIONS

 

PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE

 

Observing and Evaluating Teachers

Developing or Adapting an Evaluation Framework

 

REFERENCES

 

SUGGESTED READINGS

 

20. Working with Other Administrators.

 

OVERVIEW

 

REGULATIONS

 

PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE

 

The Superintendent

The School Board

The Building Principal and Assistant Principal

General Tips for the Administration Team

 

REFERENCES

 

INDEX.