Field Experience A: Special Education Team Interviews

Hamm

· Discuss the characteristics of individuals with exceptionalities whom you serve, including gifted as well as those with disabilities.

 

In the special education program we work with students of many abilities and disabilities.  We serve students who have physical disabilities.  They may be wheel chair bound, require tube feedings, or need assistance to physically access their school environment.  We service students who cognitive disabilities who are working at a prerequisite level and need a completely different environment to access the curriculum.  We serve students who have speech impairments and only receive speech therapy. We have students who require assistance with behavioral or emotional regulations.  We also serve students who have specific learning disabilities.  These students require more help than can be provided solely in the general education setting.  Amongst these students, we can see students who are also participating in the gifted and talented program.  To have a disability in one area does not impair you in all areas. 

 

 

· Describe the educational, developmental, and medical services available for individuals with disabilities in your district.

 

Within our district you will find many different programs to serve the special education population. We begin providing service at the age of 3, and for some students lasts until they are 22.  Essentially whatever the IEP team deems necessary, either medically or educationally, we provide.  That can mean:

A self-contained class for students working on a prerequisite level

In class support

Resource classes

Speech Therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, music therapy, Orientation and Mobility training, Vision Instruction, Deaf instruction…

A self-contained class for students who are unable to regulate the behaviors and emotions

Tube feedings are provided when necessary

One on one nursing on the rare occasion it is deemed medically necessary

 

· Describe the specific steps in the IEP process.

 

The IEP process is a continuous cycle.  Case managers should constantly collecting data, collaborating with general education teachers and service providers.  They should also always be working parents to hear any concerns or celebrations.  Prior to every ARD there is a staffing where all staff that work with the student come to together and share their data.  They use this time to draft recommendations for the new ARD.  The case manager communicates with the parents to review recommendations prior to the ARD meeting. I have attached the specific steps and timelines the district expects to prepare for an ARD.

 

· Explain how special education and general education teachers are supported in the IEP process.

 

On our campus each student is assigned a case manager.  This is the first point of contact for a general education teacher when they need support for a student. They work together to create recommendations for the student and to set goals for the IEP year.  Our district also has instructional specialist to support both the general and special education teacher to provide resources and support.

 

· Describe how you collaborate with members of the IEP team. List other stakeholders you collaborate with as part of the IEP process and describe this collaboration.

 

Prior to every ARD we hold a staffing that allows all staff involved with the student to come together and work together.  With some students instructional specialist and administration are involved. General education teachers are supposed to reach out to the case manager with any concerns.  If it’s something that cannot be solved between the two of them a staffing will be scheduled.

 

· Describe what you do to support families of individuals with disabilities.

Our district has a Family resource center specifically for our special population.  Classes are held through out the year based on the needs of the communities. Parents also work with teachers as much as they can. When a parent has a need or a concern they will hopefully bring it to myself or their case manager and they can direct them to the support that they need.  It is not isolated to special education support.  All students are general education students first.

 

· Explain the process of addressing behavioral issues for students with disabilities.

 

Our district has many support staff to address behavior concerns with our population of students.  AS with any intervention we want to try the least restrictive first.  Can the problem be addressed with accommodations in the classroom.  If the problem cannot be supported with accommodations we can begin to work with our behavior instructional specialist or our ABA staff.  A functional behavior assessment can be done to develop a Behavior intervention plan.  More restrictive environments can be recommended when all other interventions have been exhausted.

 

· Discuss the professional development that is available to you regarding special education policies, services, and educational strategies. Discuss whether there is specific training related to confidentiality, including who leads the training and how often it is required.

 

There are teacher development days that are built into the district calendar.  These trainings are developed based on the needs of the staff. The staff is asked what they want training in, allowing the teachers to be trained in areas of need.  There are district wide confidentiality trainings at the beginning of each year, but it is not isolated to SPED.  It is for all staff.