Leadership, Motivation, Inspiration and Students

with Disabilities

Presentation to the Fine Arts StaffAugust 21, 2007

Mollie LautDirector of Special Education

Horry County Schools

As a result of this session, fine arts teachers will:

• Know the major laws impacting the educational services for students with disabilities

• Understand how these laws impact fine arts teachers

• Understand why fine arts teachers make such a difference for individuals with disabilities

• Know where to find support if you have questions

Who are students with disabilities?

The Facts

Students with Disabilities in Horry County Schools

6,093 Total (December 1, 2006)

State HCS

15.48% 16.86%

LD

Speech

EMD

ED OHI Preschool

Other

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Percentage by Disability in HCS

National Trends

Who are the faces of people with disabilities?

Famous Faces

Helen Keller

Winston Churchill

Walt Disney

Albert Einstein

Stephen HawkingGeorge Patton

Woodrow Wilson

Agatha ChristieMarlee Matlin

Mel Tillis

Bruce Jenner

James Brady

Not-So-Famous Faces

Not-So-Famous Faces

Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek,

best known as “Mattie”, has been writing poetry and short stories since

age three. Mattie’s poems have been

published in a variety of mediums, including 7 of

his own books.

What are the laws that govern Special Education?

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) - 2001All students must be proficient …

Americans with Disabilities (ADA) – elimination of discrimination in all areas receiving federal funding

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 – protects civil rights of persons with disabilities

Family Education Right to Privacy Act (FERPA) – protection of educational records/confidentiality

Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 04)

1975: EHA – 1 million children excluded from school due

to disabilitieslarge #s of students in general ed classes

were experiencing failure because their disabilities had not been detected

1990: renamed to IDEA & revised1997: revised with key changes2004: IDEA 04

The laws (continued…)

The Special Education CycleEvaluation/Data

Collection

Eligibility

IEP Development

Placement (Least Restrictive

Environment)

Implementation of

IEP Services Collaboration

Communication

IDEAIDEA

• Governs who, what, how and when delivery of services to students with disabilities

• Outlined in a document called an IEP:

- Living document, updated at least quarterly, changed, if needed

- Outlines specially designed instruction & supports

Major provisions of IDEA 04

• All students with disabilities are entitled/ guaranteed a free, appropriate public education (FAPE)

• An Individualized Education Program (IEP) must be developed for each student with a disability

• Parents have the right to participate in planning their child’s educational program

• Tests and other assessments used with students with disabilities must not discriminate on the basis of race, culture, or disability.

• Due process procedures must be in place to protect the rights of students with disabilities and their parents.

• Contains specific provisions regarding the discipline of students with disabilities – was the misconduct a result of the student’s disability?

Major provisions of IDEA 04 (continued…)

• Federal funding is provided to states to help offset the costs of educating students with disabilities...ages 3-21

• Students with disabilities must participate in statewide assessments – accommodations allowed if necessary or alternative assessments

• Requires “team” to develop IEP – including regular educators and parents

Major provisions of IDEA 04 (continued…)

• Requires IEP to include student’s involvement with and progress in general education curriculum

• Requires the use of research-based interventions – what works?

• Students with disabilities are to be educated in the least restrictive environment, that is, with students not identified as having disabilities, whenever possible.

Major provisions of IDEA 04 (continued…)

Why are the laws and regulations important to educators?

• Special Education is one of the most litigated areas in the field of education

• The law governing special education is an extensive piece of federal legislation and subject to endless interpretations

• As an educator, the courts have ruled that “ignorance of the law” does not excuse educators from their duty to implement the requirements

So what does this legal information mean to me?

• You will have students with disabilities in your classroom

• They will be your responsibility while in your classroom

• You will be an active contributing member of an IEP Team

• They have a right to be in your classroom just as all students do

What do you need to know?

• What are the student’s accommodations while in your classroom

• Who is the student’s special education teacher and how will you communicate with her/him

• How will you communicate with the student’s parents

• How will you use a paraprofessional if assigned to work with a student?

What is LRE?

• Full-day Regular Class• Full-day Regular Class with Consultative

Services• Full-day Regular Class with Direct Special

Education Services• Part-day Regular Class with Part-Day

Special Education Services• Full-day Special Education Class with Part-

day Regular (social)• Full-day Special Education Class• Full-time Special Residential School• Home/Hospital

What makes special education so special?

Special Education is not a place. It is a set of “services” provided to/for a student with disabilities.

Accommodations

Co-Teaching

Assistive Technology

Content Enhancement Routines

Intensive Interventions

Strategic Interventions

Special Education IS Support & Services

IDEA says…• A student qualifies as a student with a

disability under set criteria and• Needs specially designed instruction

– Adapting the content, methodology or delivery of instruction to address the needs of the student.

– Ensuring access to the general curriculum so the student can meet the educational standards of the district.

When work, commitment and pleasure all become one and you reach that

deep well where passion lives, nothing is impossible.

Talk with your neighbor about…How this quote is relevant to your work with all students in

your school, andwhy you receive all the

students with disabilities in your class

Language is a powerful tool

• Be sure to use “people first” language– Example: a student with a learning disability– Nonexample: a self contained student

• Emphasize abilities…– Example: uses a wheelchair, or walks with

crutches– Nonexample: is crippled or confined to a

wheelchair

One last note of encouragement…