- Click on OPIand
check out the guides on Evaluations, IEP´s and graduation.
The IEP guide has an Excellent Q & A section in the Manual.
This will answer many of your questions. (When you
get to the OPI site, pull down Programs & Services of
OPI, and go to Special Education. Scroll down until you see
guides and pick the one you want.)
|
| |
- If I were building a page for administrators,
I would emphasize the need to collaborate with their special
ed. team due to the complex nature of special ed. and 504
law. No one can know it all; it is better to build a team
to research things on the net or from the Office of Public
Instruction so that they get the straight answers that are
needed. Mistakes in this area can be very costly to a district.
|
| |
- I guess the one thing that I would tell
them, is if they don’t know what to do about special ed, then
please ask for help rather than getting into a bind that might
lead to a court case
|
| |
- CEC Provides Summary and Analysis of
the New IDEA
CEC has developed a summary on significant
issues addressed by the new IDEA legislation, such as highly
qualified teachers, discipline, paperwork and funding. The
analysis provides a synopsis of the legislation on selected
topic and implications for special educators. Read
the IDEA summary (Adobe Acrobat required).
|
| |
- it is important to remember - AND FEEL -
that ALL the kids in the school belong to ALL of us!
|
| |
| DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS: How do I evaluate
special education staff? What is a resource teacher’s role? You
can click below to get ideas, and you can also click here to go
to our FAQ page to ask your questions and get answers from qualified
administrators in special education. Please remember all these
are examples and are not an exhaustive list. It is to get you
thinking and give you ideas. |
| |
| |
| |
One resource available
to administrators is the Legal Services and Special Education
Divisions of the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) have instituted
the Early Assistance Program (EAP). This program is designed to
provide technical assistance to parents, school districts, and
advocacy organizations in regard to the delivery of a free appropriate
public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities (10.16.3660,
ARM). Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA),
parents can file complaints if they feel a district is not following
administrative rules. The intent of the EAP program is to intervene
prior to or at the time of filing a complaint with OPI (10.16.3662)(4)(c).
At this intervention point, required by 10.16.3660(4), the EAP
will gather information pertinent to the situation from parents,
schools, and others who are involved with the issue and attempt
to resolve the problem within 15 school days. With permission
from the parents, EAP may exceed 15 days.
|
| |
Our philosophy is to resolve issues amicably
and thereby prevent costly legal entanglements wherever possible.
We feel that, given the opportunity to discuss the issues at hand
in a less confrontational venue, it is more likely that parents
and schools will be able to reach agreement without undermining
the relationships necessary to ensure the smooth delivery of special
education services to children and youth with disabilities.
OPI Contact: Mary Gallagher, 406-444-5664
or send an e-mail to: Mary |
| |
| Another resource
that many administrators do not know is available for their access
is the Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind. They provide
outreach consultants to help with children deaf, blind, hearing
impaired and visually impaired. They are a great resource. Click
hereto view their website. |
| |
| Steve Gettel, Superintendent
of MSDB, has written a letter describing the philosophy of the
school.Click
here to read the letter. |
