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. T he 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.