H HOW SPECIAL SERVICES (IEPs, IFSPs, 504s PLANS) FIT WITHIN THE EDUCATIONAL FRAMEWORK Judy Hackett, EdD

Superintendent NSSEO

Changing Landscape of Special EducationChanging Roles/Expectations of Educational Leaders

Greater Focus on process, outcomes and accountability

Changing focus and expectations of leaders/educators

Greater emphasis on data and assessment that drives instructional decision-making

Emphasis on:

Leadership Responsibilities

Data-Based Decision Making

Measures of Student Progress

Supports and Resources

Effective Instruction for meeting student needs include:

Environment

The Illinois State Response to Intervention (RtI) PlanJanuary 1, 2008

Illinois Definition of RtI

RtI: the Essentials for Everybodyto Ensure Success for ALL Learners

How will RtI help my child?

RtI is built on the premise that there needs to be a multi-tiered school system of supports … there needs to be quality instruction and intervention delivered to all students in the classroom, as well as in small groups and individually

Instructional Need

Entitlement Decision-Making Process

(*adapted from Iowa Dept. of Ed, 2005; FSDS, 2006)

Definition of Eligibility and EntitlementEligibility refers to one of the 13 federal disability

categories described in IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) under which a student may qualify for special education services, based upon the completion of the evaluation process and determination of the identified disability

Entitlement is a terms generally used in conjunction with a student’s right to the provision of special education services based upon the determination that the student qualified for special education services under IDEA.

Changing focus on EntitlementEntitlement decisions are a continuation of the

problem solving process, not the goal of it.Entitlement decisions are considered when

additional resources are needed to sustain or improve the intervention(s) being provided in order to assure a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) . It focuses on knowing how to make a student more successful – determine the plan that warrants additional resources or level of intensity of supports.

Not Disabled Disabled

Do

es

No

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ee

d S

DI

Ne

ed

sS

DI*

GeneralEducation

Student

General EducationWith or Without 504Accommodations

Slower LearnersGifted and Talented

Limited EnglishWBFWR**

Special EducationEntitled Individuals

* Specially Designed Instruction * * WBFWR = Way Behind For Whatever Reason

Assessment is About Decision-making … What Decision are we Making?

Embed Expectations

“This time, like all other times, is a very good one, if we know what to do with it.”

Emerson