Principal Leadership for Special Education Untangling IDEA, Section 504, and NCLB
Jan 04, 2016
Why should principals be concerned about special education?
AutismAutism Spectrum
DisordersAsperger’s SyndromePervasive Developmental
Delay
What is it? Medical? Educational? Social?
What are the expectations for children with . . . ?
What is our responsibility for doing what needs to be done?
Autism1 in 110 (82????)
children1 in 70 boysMore children that
those diagnosed with childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes, and pediatric AIDS combined
* Source: autismspeaks.org
Why should principals be concerned about special education?
Disability Harassment—violates Section 504
Consequences for harassing behavior may trigger MDR, BIP, IAESBullying
Cyber-bullyingSexual HarrassmentWorkplace Bullying
Bullying—a widespread proproblem. The incidence of bullying is increasing.
Students with learning disabilities are more likely to be bullied (ldonline)
Students with ADHD are more likely to be bullied and more likely to bully (Fleeker, MSNBC)
Students whose appearance is different are more likely to be bullied (PACER)
Why should principals be concerned about special education?
35.7% of students with disabilities are students of color (45.2% in NC) (2006 Annual Report to Congress)
How do disability, discipline, and diversity interact?
DisproportionalityDifferential TreatmentDisparate Impact
Discipline Inequities“Regrettably, students of color
are receiving different and harsher disciplinary punishments than whites for the same or similar infractions, and they are disproportionately impacted by zero-tolerance policies—a fact that only serves to exacerbate already deeply entrenched disparities in many communities,” Thomas E. Perez, the assistant attorney general for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Justice, recently said at a conference on school discipline and civil rights.”
*Source: Education Week (Oct. 17, 2010)
Why should principals be concerned about special education?
IDEA (and 504) (and NCLB) are a lot like gravity
Not just a good idea.
IT’S THE LAW!
Section 504Students with disabilities are PROTECTED
FROM DISCRIMINATION on the basis of their disabilities.
Access to school facilities and programsInstructional and assessment
accommodationsNo funds are generated to support school
programs.Enforced by the Office of Civil Rights
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Free Appropriate Public EducationLeast Restrictive EnvironmentDue Process ProceduresIdentification and Referral ProceduresMulti-factored AssessmentIndividualized Education Program
IDEAStudents are evaluated to determine
ELIGIBILITY for special education and related services.
Access to the general education curriculum and classroom
Participation in statewide assessmentsStudents with disabilities generate (limited)
federal and state funding.
Disability CategoriesTo be eligible for services under IDEA, a
student must meet the criteria at 34 C.F.R. §300.8 for one of 14 categories:Autism, Child Aged Three Through Nine Experiencing Developmental Delays, Deaf-Blindness, Deafness, Emotional Disturbance, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Speech or Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, Visual Impairment
No Child Left Behind (2002)
High Standards CurriculumStatewide AssessmentsHighly Qualified TeachersAdequate Yearly ProgressAccountability for Student Performance
NCLB/IDEA ExpectationsAll students have access to a high standards curriculum
All students participate in statewide assessments
All students are proficient in their academic performance
All students have access to instruction in the high standards curriculum
To the maximum degree appropriate, students with disabilities are educated with their typical peers
NCLB/IDEA ExpectationsHigh Standards Curriculum
Instruction in the General Education ClassroomParticipation in Statewide AssessmentsProficiency
High School GraduationPost-secondary ParticipationEmployment
IDEA/NCLB Expectations
Students with Sensory DisabilitiesHearing ImpairedVisually ImpairedOrthopedically Impaired
Students with Significant Disabilities Traumatic Brain Injury Moderate to Severe
Intellectual Disabilities Multiple Disabilities Deaf-Blind
Students with Academic DisabilitiesSpecific Learning
DisabilitiesSpeech-ImpairmentBehavior-Emotional
DisabilitiesOther Health
ImpairmentAutism Spectrum
DisorderMild Intellectual
Disabilities
General Legal Principles
from IDEA, 504, and NCLB
Appropriate educationAccess to the general education curriculum
Accommodations that provide access to curriculum, instruction, and assessment
Accountability for student performanceParent involvement in decision making