It is important to document a strength and interest-based learning approach in the student’s IEP. This will assist the whole team in using this approach and will lead to more continuity and success throughout the student’s academic career.
Federal officials said Texas should be doing even more to improve special education — and they’re planning a visit early next year to check. In a letter Friday, officials from the U.S. Department of Education dissected Texas’ proposed plan for overhauling special education for kids with disabilities — in many cases urging state officials to do even more than they had originally planned. Earlier this year, a thorough investigation found Texas had failed to provide students with disabilities with a proper education, violating federal special education law, and demanded it undertake a long list of corrective actions to shape up. [...]
The Supreme Court’s 2017 Endrew F. decision on the meaning of a free appropriate public education (FAPE) can help advocate for your child with disabilities. The case involved a boy with autism and ADHD, who made almost no progress on his IEP goals because his behavioral and academic needs weren’t addressed. The landmark decision is an opportunity to improve the services IEPs offer students. And it’s up to you as a parent to make the most of it. You can read the full Supreme Court decision ENDREW F., A MINOR, BY AND THROUGH HIS PARENTS AND NEXT FRIENDS, JOSEPH F. ET AL. v. [...]
Don’t wait until your child’s eligibility for special education has been determined before taking steps to learn about the special education process, your child’s disability and needs, and how to help your child learn! Here are five things you can do while you wait! […]
The school year is under way and so are the homework assignments. All kids need homework support from their parents and teachers. Many children with disabilities, however, require additional assistance. Here is some advice from the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to ensure that students and their parents are appropriately challenged and not too overwhelmed. […]
The Texas legislature in the early 2000’s passed a law regarding the use of restraint and time-out in school districts. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) developed rules on procedures for when restraint can be used; training staff, and others; documentation, and notification on the use of restraint; situations that are not considered the use of restraint. Rules were also developed regarding procedures for when time-out can be used; training staff, and others; documentation on the use of time-out; and student safety. TAC §89.1053 […]
