Parents can prepare themselves to participate more effectively in the special education planning process. Guidelines for parents presented in the form of questions to be asked prior to and at the annual review address the need for eliciting clarification, descriptive information, and program implications, and understanding procedures, goals, and…

Under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Vermont Department of Education's Special Education Regulations, parents have specific rights concerning their participation in the special education process. The purpose of this booklet is to inform parents of those rights and to provide them with a list of resources to…

This booklet for Wisconsin parents of children with disabilities discusses the processes and functions of special education. It describes steps in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team process, including: referring a child for special education; evaluating the child; deciding what services are needed and writing the IEP; deciding where…

This handbook for Missouri parents of young children with disabilities provides information on obtaining special education services from a local school district. A step-by-step guide for transitioning into preschool is provided. The steps include: (1) referral of the child to their local school; (2) holding a transition conference; (3) arranging…

Children go to school to learn, of course. But parents of children with disabilities often ask, "How will I know my child is learning and making progress?" Parents can answer that question by looking at a variety of data, including information from special education and general education sources and information from outside the school.…

This paper presents some suggestions parents should consider when planning their child's Individualized Education Program (IEP). Suggestions are organized according to these sections: (1) Before the IEP team meeting; (2) At the IEP team meeting; and (3) After the IEP team meeting.

This resource conveys policies, procedures, and guidelines that support the delivery of special education services in British Columbia's (Canada) public schools. It was originally published in 1995 (ED414703), following an extensive provincial Special Education Review (1993-94). The purpose of this manual is to provide a single point of reference…

IDEA is the nation's special education law. Under IDEA if a child is found to be a "child with a disability," he or she is eligible for special education and related services. If your child has a disability, under IDEA, a team of people will gather to talk about what special instruction and services your child needs. This team includes…

This guide explains how occupational therapists and physical therapists collaborate with educators, administrators, and parents to help children with disabilities in Wisconsin schools acquire needed skills. Chapter 1 provides basic historical information about occupational and physical therapy in schools and introduces a collaborative model of…

This guide (with audiotape) offers information on helping students with disabilities become involved in developing their own Individualized Education Programs (IEP). The guide is organized into lesson plans which can be adapted to individual situations. Individual lessons focus on the following topics: (1) introductory work with students (such as…

This document consists of three separately published two-fold brochures. The three brochures provide guidelines for families of persons with disabilities to assess the level of integration efforts by local school districts and special education cooperatives. Guidelines are presented in the form of yes-no questions about administrative commitment,…

This pamphlet guides parents of children with disabilities through the procedures for acquiring special education services in the state of Washington. Following an overview of special education, the pamphlet presents information on notice and consent procedures, confidentiality of records, individualized education programs (IEP), the placement…

Under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), public school students throughout the country must participate in annual testing in specific academic areas and grades outlined in the law, including students with disabilities. Requiring the inclusion of all students with disabilities in state- and district-wide assessments helps ensure that schools,…

This document provides answers to questions frequently asked by parents and practitioners about the mandates and requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (IDEA). The 29 questions are organized into six sections: (1) background information on the IDEA (history of IDEA, and obtaining copies of IDEA and…

This guide explains the process of developing an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for a student with disabilities and is based on requirements of the original Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the amended Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997. Following an introduction, the first section outlines the…