Special Education Process Pocket Guide
IDEA Disability Categories in ND
- Autism
- Deaf-Blindness
- Deafness
- Emotional Disturbance
- Hearing Impairment
- Intellectual Disability
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Other Health Impairment
- Noncategorical Delay
- Specific Learning Disability
- Speech or Language Impairment
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Visual Impairment
Please refer to the ND Department of Public Instruction document, Parent Guide to Special Education, for a description of each of these categories.
Things to Remember
- IDEA defines a child with a disability as a child: (a) who has been evaluated in accordance with IDEA requirements; (b) who has been determined through this evaluation to have one or more of the disabilities included in IDEA; and (c) who, because of a disability, needs special education and related services.
- If there is a concern, the parent of a child or the school district may initiate the referral for an initial special education evaluation.
- The public agency must have the parents' written informed consent before evaluating their child for the first time.
- A child's initial evaluation must be accurate, individualized, and comprehensive.
- Eligibility for special education and related services is determined by a multidisciplinary team including the child's parents.
- Every child with a disability, ages 3-21, who receives special education and related services under IDEA must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
- Progress must be reported periodically to parents.
Special Education Process
1. Child is identified as possibly needing special education and related services.
2. Child is evaluated.
3. Eligibility is decided.
4. Child is found eligible for services.
5. IEP meeting is scheduled.
6. IEP meeting is held and the IEP is written.
7. Services are provided.
8. Progress is measured and reported to the parents.
9. IEP is reviewed.
10. Child is reevaluated.
Terms and Acronyms
Child Find â A component in IDEA that requires states to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities, ages birth-21, who may be in need of special education services.
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) - Special education and related services are provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, without charge. The free appropriate public education meets the standards of the state educational agency including preschool, elementary, or secondary school education and is provided in conformity with an individualized education program requirement of IDEA.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - A law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.
Individualized Education Program (IEP) - A written document for a student with disabilities (ages 3-21) that is developed and implemented to meet unique educational needs.
Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) - A written plan developed for a child with disabilities being served in an infant-toddler program (Part C) for ages birth-3.
Procedural Safeguards - Legal protections taken to insure that an individual's rights are not denied without due process of law.
Related Services â Transportation and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as are required to assist a student with disabilities to benefit from education.
Special Education - Specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parent, to meet the unique needs of a student with disabilities.
Additional Resources
Pathfinder Services of ND http://pathfinder-nd.org/
ND Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) http://www.nd.gov/dpi
Center for Parent Information & Resources (CPIR) http://www.parentcenterhub.org/
The Top 10 Basics of the Special Education Process (Webinar) http://pathfinder-nd.org/resource.php?r=321
Parent Guide to Special Education NDDPI http://pathfinder-nd.org/resource.php?r=132
Questions Often Asked by Parents about Special Education Services CPIR http://www.parentcenterhub.org/lg1/
Categories of Disability Under IDEA CPIR http://www.parentcenterhub.org/pa12/
Section 504/ADA: Guideline for Parents and Educators NDDPI http://pathfinder-nd.org/resource.php?r=133