If you're baffled by all the terminology thrown around in meetings and paperwork regarding your child's special education, these 16 "lessons" will teach you what all those words and acronyms mean. Follow the links and read the articles, then take the quizzes to test your knowledge. Study up!
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Lesson 9: The FBA
A Functional Behavioral Assessment requires school personnel to actually think about your child's behavior instead of knee-jerk handling it the same way they've handled it since schools were held in caves. Read more about this important safeguard.
Lesson 10: The BIP
A Behavior Intervention Plan takes all those ideas developed in the Functional Behavioral Assessment and turns them into a course of action for improving behavior and classroom calm. Read a definition and view some samples.
Lesson 11: PLP
An accurate and realistic depiction of your child's Present Level of Performance should be the starting point for any good IEP. Find out what it is, or should be, so you know what to look for.
Lesson 12: PWN
With behavioral issues and questions of progress on the table, it's important for parents to be in on any decisions about a child's special education program. That's why IDEA requires that your district has to give you Prior Written Notice before any changes are made. Learn why they can't just pull a fast one.
Quiz: Lessons 9-12
The third set of Special Education School lessons focused on FBA, BIP, PLP and PWN. Read all about them, study up, and test your level of learning with a quick quiz.
Lesson 13: Paraprofessionals
Those tireless and underpaid special education workers you may formerly have known as aides can make a lot of difference in how your child survives in the classroom. Read a definition to learn more about what it takes to do the job.
Lesson 14: Classroom Placements
Whatever the prevailing wisdom in your district, community, support group or e-mail list, the Least Restrictive Environment for your child is as individual as everything else in the IEP. Compare four different special education placements to help you decide which one's most appropriate for your child.
Lesson 15: The IEE
An Independent Educational Evaluation is your testing of last resort when your school district is either unwilling or unable to accurately judge your child's special educational needs. Learn what it is and why you'd want one.
Lesson 16: NCLB
No Child Left Behind was intended to ensure a better education for all students, but many parents and teachers feel that it dooms students with special needs to failure. Find out more about it and draw your own conclusions.
Quiz: Lessons 13-16
The final week of Special Education School focused on paraprofessionals, classroom placements, IEE and NCLB. Read all about them, study up, and test your level of learning with a quick quiz.
