PARENT AND ADVOCATE TRAINING SERIES BEGINS:
The Autism Education and Training Center (AETC) is pleased to announce the first three sessions in Tier One (Aware). This level of training is essential for any parent or future advocate working with a child with special needs.
Session 1: IEP (101)
Monday, Nov. 17, 2008
6:00 - 8:00pm
Clarian North Medical Center
11700 N. Meridian Street, Carmel, IN 46032
IEP (101): A brief overview of the contents of an appropriate IEP including a discussion of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
Cost: $25 at the door. Check payable to AETC.
You MUST pre-register by email to sheilawolfe@sbcglobal.net by 11/13/08. Attendance is limited.
Session 2: Understanding Assessments
Monday, Dec. 1, 2008
6:00 - 8:00pm
Clarian North Medical Center
11700 N. Meridian Street, Carmel, IN 46032
Understanding Assessments: A discussion about how to interpret cognitive, processing and achievement evaluation data along with a lesson on the Bell-curve.
Cost: $25 at the door. Check payable to AETC.
You MUST pre-register by email to sheilawolfe@sbcglobal.net by 11/26/08. Attendance is limited.
Session 3: Behavior Issues
Monday, Dec. 15, 2008
6:00 - 8:00pm
Clarian North Medical Center
11700 N. Meridian Street, Carmel, IN 46032
Behavior Issues: We will discuss appropriate Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP).
Cost: $25 at the door. Check payable to AETC.
You MUST pre-register by email to sheilawolfe@sbcglobal.net by 12/11/08. Attendance is limited.
Program details can be downloaded at http://www.catherinemichael.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Parent Advocate Training Program Set for Launch This Fall
A "Parent Advocate" is a non-lawyer parent who is trained and has an understanding in education law and issues and works to help other parents through the educational system. Parent advocates can be a great form of moral support and assistance to parents who are just beginning to navigate the educational process or who are dealing with multiple issues with the school system. Parent advocates can help parents get prepared for case conferences, create goals for IEPs, and understand the process. There are both free and paid advocates avaliable throughout the State, however one problem that Indiana has continually faced is the lack of fully trained advocates who can attend case conferences and work effectively with parents. Many parent advocates work to help other parents, but often feel lost themselves in a sea of intertwining laws and regulations.
The Autism Education and Training Center is set to launch its Parent Advocate Training Program this fall. This will be a series of classes and certifications for both parents of children with special needs and parents wanting to become parent advocates. Part I of this program is set to launch in November 2008 with both live lectures and webinars avaliable for parents and advocates outside of the central Indiana area. To find out more about this program, please contact Sheila Wolfe at sheilawolfe@sbcglobal.net.
The Autism Education and Training Center is set to launch its Parent Advocate Training Program this fall. This will be a series of classes and certifications for both parents of children with special needs and parents wanting to become parent advocates. Part I of this program is set to launch in November 2008 with both live lectures and webinars avaliable for parents and advocates outside of the central Indiana area. To find out more about this program, please contact Sheila Wolfe at sheilawolfe@sbcglobal.net.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Special Education Conference and Update - October 13, 2008
An evening conference for parents of special education students, teachers, and parent advocates is scheduled for October 13, 2008 at 6:00 - 8:00 at the Clarian North Medical Center located 11700 N. Meridian Street, Carmel, IN 46032. Catherine Michael will be presenting on the revisions to Article 7 and the essentials of understanding the special education system. Sheila Wolfe will be presenting on successfully advocating for parents of special needs children.
To RSVP or get more information regarding this event please contact Sheila Wolfe by e-mail at sheilawolfe@sbcglobal.net before October 10, 2008.
To RSVP or get more information regarding this event please contact Sheila Wolfe by e-mail at sheilawolfe@sbcglobal.net before October 10, 2008.
Revised Article 7 of the Indiana Code Avaliable
Article 7 of the Indiana Code is the law that covers special education in the State of Indiana. In the 2008 Legislative Season this law was revised and went into effect on August 13, 2008. If your child is enrolled in a public school in Indiana, it is essential to review the changes to the Indiana Code. Please download a copy at http://www.doe.in.gov/exceptional/speced/pdf/2008-08-06-Article7.pdf.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Who counts as a parent with the ability to enforce or challenge an IEP under the IDEIA?
In a day and age where divorce rates near 50% issues involving which parent and who can enforce or litigate the appropriateness of an IEP are hitting the courts more and more often. Often when parents get divorced they have joint custody for purposes of decision making with one parent having primary physical custody. However, in more and more cases, the decision making ability when it comes to education or health decisions is being vested in one parent rather than both. In a recent case Fuentes v. Board of Education, City of New York, et al., F.3d (2nd Circuit, August 26, 2008) the Court found in line with other decisions that IDEA's allowance of the parent or guardian rights to bring an action will not apply where the “biological or adoptive parent does not have legal authority to make educational decisions for the child.”
ISTEP TESTING STARTS MONDAY SEPTEMBER 15
For many parents it is a typical Fall rountine, but this year for the first time ever it will be one that is done twice. ISTEP testing starts Monday and the testing window is from September 15 – 26th. Schools can give the ISTEP on any day within this window.
One question that many parents are asking is why do kids have to take ISTEP to begin with and why do they have to take it twice this year?
First it is important to understand that ISTEP is a mandatory exam given to students in all public schools and private schools that have been accredited by the state. The Individual scores of schools are used to determine whether a school met its academic goals, called adequate yearly progress. The scores also are used to create a list of schools needing to improve and schools that are doing well. These scores can affect whether a school receives additional federal funding or loses funding altogether. In Indiana a school that fails repeatedly to make AYP can have all the staff removed, face sanctions, and even be closed or taken over by the State. Students who are in the schools that fail to make AYP have options such as opting out of that school into another in the district. Under NCLB the goal is to have every child in the State passing ISTEP by 2013. This is part of how the State gets the money from the federal government they must prove that the money is actually being used to help students progress forward.
Why are we having two tests this year?
The changes are part of a larger testing plan for Indiana that includes moving ISTEP+ to the spring (grades 3-8), replacing the current GQE with Algebra I and English 10 end-of-course exams and offering new computer-based teaching tools to local schools on a voluntary basis for grades K-8. This first testing is actually going to be used for the data as part of last year years data. This Spring will be the data for this school year.
What happens if your child gets sick during ISTEP – can they make up the exam?
It depends. In most schools the answer is yes, which is why the testing window exists. However, if your child has a lengthy illness or is in the hospital during this testing window, the answer is no.
What if my child has special needs?
Depending on your child's challenges, some children will not need to take ISTEP. For kids with significant cognitive issues another option, called the ISTAR is avaliable. This test can be used to show your child's progress from year to year and let you know how they are progressing.
What if my child needs accomodations, such as larger print or a scribe for the ISTEP?
Many accomodations can be made for the ISTEP. These include additional time and changes in test scheduling, format and setting. However, these items need to already be in your child's IEP and be being used in your child's educational programming. If this is not being done, see your school principal or guidance office immediately.
What percentage of children pass ISTEP now?
About 70 percent of the students who took the September exams in Grades 3-10 passed English, and about 73 percent passed the math part of the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus. ISTEP does not affect whether your child moves grade to grade and it does not affect your child’s grades.
For more information on ISTEP where do I go?
The very best place is the Indiana Department of Education.
• ISTEP+ Questions? Call: 317-232-9050 or 1-888-544-7837 ext. 2
http://www.doe.state.in.us/istep/welcome.html
One question that many parents are asking is why do kids have to take ISTEP to begin with and why do they have to take it twice this year?
First it is important to understand that ISTEP is a mandatory exam given to students in all public schools and private schools that have been accredited by the state. The Individual scores of schools are used to determine whether a school met its academic goals, called adequate yearly progress. The scores also are used to create a list of schools needing to improve and schools that are doing well. These scores can affect whether a school receives additional federal funding or loses funding altogether. In Indiana a school that fails repeatedly to make AYP can have all the staff removed, face sanctions, and even be closed or taken over by the State. Students who are in the schools that fail to make AYP have options such as opting out of that school into another in the district. Under NCLB the goal is to have every child in the State passing ISTEP by 2013. This is part of how the State gets the money from the federal government they must prove that the money is actually being used to help students progress forward.
Why are we having two tests this year?
The changes are part of a larger testing plan for Indiana that includes moving ISTEP+ to the spring (grades 3-8), replacing the current GQE with Algebra I and English 10 end-of-course exams and offering new computer-based teaching tools to local schools on a voluntary basis for grades K-8. This first testing is actually going to be used for the data as part of last year years data. This Spring will be the data for this school year.
What happens if your child gets sick during ISTEP – can they make up the exam?
It depends. In most schools the answer is yes, which is why the testing window exists. However, if your child has a lengthy illness or is in the hospital during this testing window, the answer is no.
What if my child has special needs?
Depending on your child's challenges, some children will not need to take ISTEP. For kids with significant cognitive issues another option, called the ISTAR is avaliable. This test can be used to show your child's progress from year to year and let you know how they are progressing.
What if my child needs accomodations, such as larger print or a scribe for the ISTEP?
Many accomodations can be made for the ISTEP. These include additional time and changes in test scheduling, format and setting. However, these items need to already be in your child's IEP and be being used in your child's educational programming. If this is not being done, see your school principal or guidance office immediately.
What percentage of children pass ISTEP now?
About 70 percent of the students who took the September exams in Grades 3-10 passed English, and about 73 percent passed the math part of the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus. ISTEP does not affect whether your child moves grade to grade and it does not affect your child’s grades.
For more information on ISTEP where do I go?
The very best place is the Indiana Department of Education.
• ISTEP+ Questions? Call: 317-232-9050 or 1-888-544-7837 ext. 2
http://www.doe.state.in.us/istep/welcome.html
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