GEN ED GUIDE TO SPED
SPECIAL EDUCATION KNOWLEDGE AND LAWS FOR GENERAL EDUCATION TEACHERS
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This website is to be a source of information for general education teachers and other people who work with students in special education.
This website is focused on teachers of students aged 6-21, especially for middle and high school teachers.
Here you can find information about the special education laws that pertain to general education teachers, the different disability categories that students are serviced under, what accommodations and modifications are and why they are needed, as well as special education terminology and acronyms.
This website is focused on teachers of students aged 6-21, especially for middle and high school teachers.
Here you can find information about the special education laws that pertain to general education teachers, the different disability categories that students are serviced under, what accommodations and modifications are and why they are needed, as well as special education terminology and acronyms.
Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA)
IDEA is a federal special education law. This law ensures that students with disabilities are given equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. IDEA is about supporting both students as well as educators.
The Four Goals of IDEA
- Equal opportunity is the ability of students with disabilities to have an equal chance to attend, benefit, and make progress at school.
- Full participation is the ability of students with disabilities to be in and participate in the general curriculum.
- Independent living is about students with disabilities having a say in their education and the ability to choose how, where, and with whom they want to live.
- Economic self-sufficiency is the ability of a student with disabilities to use their education to get and keep a job and to become contributing members of society.
The Four Parts of IDEA
Part A |
Part A of IDEA is the national policy about the education of students with disabilities.
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Part B |
Part B of IDEA services children ages 3-21. Students must qualify for special education services under one of the disability categories, and will have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Nearly 13% of students in schools have some type of disability and around 6 million students aged 6-21 are serviced in special education.
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Part C |
Part C of IDEA services children ages birth-3. It helps with early intervention services for infants and toddlers. Children who qualify for part C services will receive an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).
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Part D |
Part D of IDEA describes how the federal government will support both local and state education agencies to ensure that IDEA is carried out.
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IDEA's six Principles
These principles govern special education students education.
Zero Reject
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It means that no student can be excluded because of their disability.
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Nondiscriminatory Evaluation
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This evaluation determines if a student has a disability and if they require special education and/or related services due to the disability.
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Appropriate Education
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This is how each student’s education will be tailored to them.
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Least Restrictive Environment
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This is how students with disabilities will be taught alongside students without disabilities as much as possible.
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Procedural Due Process
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These are the safeguards for students and families in special education.
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Parent and Student Participation
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Parent and student participation requires the school to work with the student and their parents to carry out special education services.
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FAPE
Free Appropriate Public Education
FAPE ensures that all students have the ability to make progress on the four goals, equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency.