Special Education

FAQs: Special Education & Related Services

Has the definition of “specially designed instruction” changed?

The IDEA regulations define special education as “specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.” [34 C.F.R. § 300.39(a)(1)] The regulation continues: “[s]pecially designed instruction means adapting, as appropriate to the needs of the eligible child … the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction.” [Id.

FAQs: Records (Educational Records)

What is the definition of an “education record”?

“Education record” is a term defined under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and incorporated into the IDEA by reference. FERPA defines education records as records that are directly related to a student and that are maintained by an educational agency. [20 U.S.C. § 1232g(d); 34 C.F.R.

SPED GUIDANCE: Special Education Timelines and COVID-19 and Other Resources

  • Wed, Mar 18 2020  •
    • COVID-19
    • Updates

Special Education Directors,

FAQs: Progress Reports

What are the IDEA requirements regarding IEP goal progress reports?

An IEP must include information as to “[w]hen periodic reports on the progress the child is making toward meeting the annual goals (such as through the use of quarterly or other periodic reports, concurrent with the issuance of report cards) will be provided.” [34 C.F.R. § 300.320(a)(3)(ii)]

 

FAQs: Placement (Educational Placement)

Can an IEP team decide to provide a student with instruction at home only if the student’s medical doctor provides a medical order for instruction at home?

No. Homebound instruction under State law and home-based instruction under the IDEA are not the same thing. Arizona law identifies “homebound” as a funding category that can be used to provide instruction to a student whose doctor has certified that the student is unable to attend regular classes due to illness, disease, accident or other health condition “for a period of not less than three school months.” [A.R.S.

FAQs: Parents

How is “parent” defined in the IDEA regulations, and who can legally act as a parent?

According to the regulations that implement the IDEA, “[p]arent means — (1) A biological or adoptive parent of a child; (2) A foster parent; (3) A guardian generally authorized to act as the child’s parent or authorized to make educational decisions for the child (but not the State if the child is a ward of the State); (4) An individual acting in the place of a biological or adoptive parent (including a grandparent, stepparent, or another relative) with whom the child lives, or an individual who is

FAQs: Meeting Notice, Prior Written Notice (PWN), and Procedural Safeguards Notice (PSN)

When and how often does a school need to provide parents with PSN (procedural safeguards notice)?

The regulations that implement the IDEA require that a school provide parents with PSN at least once annually and at specific milestones: upon initial referral or parent request for an evaluation, upon receipt of the first state complaint or the first due process complaint in a school year, at the time of some disciplinary actions, and upon request by a parent. [34 C.F.R. § 300.504(a)]

FAQs: Myths of Special Education

Can medical doctors prescribe special education?

No. Following a review of existing data and the administration of any additional assessments determined necessary, a group of qualified professionals and the parent of the child determines whether the child is a child with a disability and the educational needs of the child. [See 34 C.F.R. § 300.306] Information from a medical doctor should be considered by the multidisciplinary evaluation team (MET), but no one individual can determine that a child meets eligibility requirements; eligibility requires a team decision.

 

FAQs: Manifestation Determinations

When does a manifestation determination meeting need to occur?

Within 10 school days of any decision to change the placement of a child with a disability because of a violation of a code of student conduct, the school, the parent, and relevant members of the child’s IEP Team must conduct a manifestation determination. [34 C.F.R. § 300.530(e)(1)] A change of placement occurs if: (1) the student is removed for more than 10 consecutive school days, or (2) the student is subjected to a series of removals that constitute a pattern. [34 C.F.R.

FAQs: IEP Team Authority

Do IEP teams have the authority to retain a student to repeat a grade level, or promote a student eligible for special education to the next grade level?

Arizona law invests in teachers the duty to make the decision to promote a pupil from grade to grade or retain a pupil, and to pass or fail a pupil in a course in high school. [See A.R.S. § § 15-701(E) and 15-701.01(E)] The teacher’s decision may be overturned by the public education agency’s governing board. [A.R.S.