Question

Navigate the Referral, Evaluation, and Eligibility Process in Accordance with IDEA (Scenario) [WLOs: 1, 2] [CLO: 1, 2, 4, 5]

This discussion forum post provides an opportunity to analyze and present your understanding of the referral, evaluation, and non-discriminatory assessments, as well as eligibility review and determination processes. You will evaluate practices and identify the critical members involved in the process. Be sure to offer a comprehensive synopsis of each of these steps, which includes all required and potential team members and their respective roles and responsibilities. The IDEA requires the following personnel to meaningfully participate in the evaluation and IEP team process (“IDEA/IDEIA: The Rights Your Child Has as One With a Disability,” n.d.).

According to IDEA 2004, Section 1414(d)(1)(B), the IEP team includes:

· the parents of a child with a disability;

· not less than one regular education teacher of such child (if the child is, or may be, participating in the regular education environment;

· not less than one special education teacher, or where appropriate, not less than one special education provider of such child;

· a representative of the local educational agency;

· an individual who can interpret the instructional implications of evaluation results;

· at the discretion of the parent or the agency, other individuals who have knowledge or special expertise regarding the child, including related services personnel as appropriate; and

· whenever appropriate, the child with a disability.

 

Prepare

Prior to beginning work on this discussion forum,

· Read Chapters 1 and 4 in your Inclusion: Effective Practices for All Students

· Read  Special Education Policy, Response to Intervention, and the Socialization of Youth

· Review  The IEP Team (Links to an external site.)  webpage https://www.parentcenterhub.org/iep-team/

· Review the  Instructor Guidance  lesson for this week.

Week 2 Instructor Guidance

Idea: Referral, Evaluation, and Eligibility Practices

After a few months of teaching with Mr. Franklin, you have gotten to know your students well. You appreciate each one for their unique strengths and abilities that contribute to the classroom learning environment. 

You and Mr. Franklin have noticed that while reading silently, Henry, one of the students, struggles with answering grade-level comprehension questions.  During group activities, he sits quietly while his peers actively participate.

This week you will explore the important steps to perform a proper evaluation for a student that you suspect may need some additional help

· Thoroughly read the instructions for this discussion forum post.

· Complete the  ESE601 Week 2 IDEA Eligibility Process  (Links to an external site.)  interactive related to steps from the referral, evaluation, and evaluation processes. https://content.bridgepointeducation.com/curriculum/file/8d09dad4-dd66-4835-8f2c-49da74d689b0/1/ESE601_WeeK_Two_Discussion_Interactive.zip/story.html

·

· Look to include in-text citations in your initial posts and support your statements and responses with scholarly literature. Review the  Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources (Links to an external site.)  table if you need assistance.

 

Reflect

After completing the interactive exercise, you will have a better understanding of the referral, evaluation, and eligibility process in accordance to IDEA. As you navigate this scenario, consider how you can apply these concepts and critical terms to your chosen path or learning environment in the field of special education. Points to ponder as you begin:

· P-12: Consider the state or educational standards your district follows or the Common Core State Standards.

· Early Childhood: The National Association for the Education of Young Children or your local education standards.

· Post-secondary: Adult learning or training environments (e.g., educational, military, corporate environments, etc.) and standards aligning with professional learning.

 

Take Action

Initial Post: In at least three distinct paragraphs, create an initial post that will

· Define and summarize the referral, evaluation, and eligibility processes when identifying individuals with exceptionalities.

· Demonstrate an understanding of the timeline and sequence of events as it relates to these processes.

· Identify all relevant members of the team and classify their roles and responsibilities in these procedures.