Special Education (SPED) Committee
The goal of the Special Education Committee is to help parents and PTAs best assist students with barriers, or students who could benefit from special considerations and attention in an educational setting. The types of barriers include physical and mental disabilities who are differently-abled, sensory sensitivities, economic hardships, homeless, non-English speakers, absent parents, in foster care, and more. The goal is to provide additional and thoughtful support that best supports all students. Making changes and small adjustments allows more people to join the group. When families are engaged at school, their students have lower discipline problems, higher attendance, higher grades, and higher graduation rates.
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Adding accessibility does not take anything away from able-bodied students.
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14% of all US students have a disability.
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6% of public school students are enrolled in gifted and talented programs.
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6% of US students receiving special education services and are also academically gifted.
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These numbers represent families who crave connections to schools, communities, and family engagement.
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They want to be a part of the conversation and to help create a more inclusive world.
The LAPTA Special Education Committee Chair is Tara Kennedy who can be emailed at SPED@LouisianaPTA.org. Please share any resources and tips that can benefit the children across Louisiana or contact her for additional support.
An Overview of Special Education and Section 504
IEPs and 504s are often used interchangeably to refer to students needing extra support. While the way they support students may seem similar, they stem from different federal laws.
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IEP: The law that established Special Education is known as "IDEA" (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). IDEA ensures that every child has the right to an appropriate education and defines special education as “specially designed instruction … to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.” This is implemented through an Individualized Education Program (IEP), which includes tailored instructional strategies. The IEP outlines specific, measurable annual goals in relevant areas to help the child participate in and advance within the general education curriculum. It also details how the child's progress towards these goals will be assessed.
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Section 504: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law designed to protect students from disability discrimination. It is a precursor to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. To qualify for a 504 plan, two criteria must be met: the child must have a disability or a suspected disability, and this disability must significantly limit at least one major life activity, such as learning, reading, communicating, or thinking. Unlike an Individualized Education Program (IEP), a 504 plan does not require a full evaluation.
Common Special Education Acronyms
ABA: Applied Behavior Analysis
ABC (data): Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ASD: Autism Spectrum Disorder
AT: Assistive Technology
BCBA: Board Certified Behavior Analyst
BIP: Behavior Intervention Plan
D/B: Deaf and Blind
D/HH: Deaf and Hard of Hearing
EBD: Emotional Behavior Disorder
ECSE: Early Childhood Special Education
EIP: Early Intervention Program
EL: English Learner
ESL: English as a Second Language
ESY: Extended School Year
FA: Functional Analysis
FAPE: Free and Appropriate Public Education
FBA: Functional Behavior Assessment
GAA: Georgia Alternative Assessment
H/V: Hearing and Vision (Screening)
IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IEE: Independent Educational Evaluation
IEP: Individualized Education Program
IRR: Interrelated Resource
LEA: Local Education Agency
LRE: Least Restrictive Environment
MiID: Mild Intellectual Disability
MoID: Moderate Intellectual Disability
ODD: Oppositional Defiant Disorder
OHI: Other Health Impairment
OI: Orthopedic Impairment
OT: Occupational Therapy or Therapist
PA: Preparatory Activity
PECS: Picture Exchange Communication System
PLAAFP: Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance
PT: Physical Therapy or Therapist
PWN: Prior Written Notice
RTI: Response to Intervention
SDD: Significant Developmental Delay
SI or SLI: Speech Language Impairment
SID/PID: Severe/Profound Intellectual Disability
SLD: Specific Learning Disabilities
SLP: Speech-Language Pathologist
SPED: Special Education
SST: Student Support Team
SWD: Students With a Disability
SWE: Students With Exceptionalities
TBI: Traumatic Brain Injury
VI: Visual Impairment