FAPE and Alignment with State Academic Standards and Evidence Based Classroom Strategies for Students with Social, Emotional, and Behavioral issues

Resources and Guidance from Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction:

IDEA 40th Anniversary Celebration

As we celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA is a civil rights law, guaranteeing a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment to millions of children, many of whom were excluded 40 years ago from the American education system. 

As educators, advocates, parents, and policymakers, we need to work toward creating a culture of high expectations; ensuring students with disabilities have full access to college- and career-ready learning opportunities and assessments; and supporting students with disabilities so that they may excel in the general curriculum for college and career success. To do so, the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice have released several resources including the:

·         Dear Colleague Letter: Clarification of FAPE and Alignment with State Academic Standards, which clarifies that individualized education programs for children with disabilities must be aligned with state academic content standards for the grade in which a child is enrolled. 

·         IDEAs That Work: Preparing Children and Youth with Disabilities for Success website will connect teachers and families with resources to assist them in improving instruction and supporting academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students with disabilities as they become college and career ready.

·         Supporting and Responding to Behavior:  Evidence-Based Classroom Strategies for Teacherstoolkit, which summarizes evidence-based, positive, proactive, and responsive classroom behavior intervention and support strategies for teachers.

Writing Meaningful IEP Resources

1. Describing Special Education, Related Services, Supplementary Aids and Services, and Program Modifications and Supports in the IEP

http://sped.dpi.wi.gov/sped_bul10-07

2. Self-Assessment Procedural Compliance

Every 5 years each school district in Wisconsin goes through a Self-Assessment Procedural Compliance to determine IEP and Evaluationcompliance with federal and state guidelines.  

Attached is the most recent review checklist from DPI which is dated August 17, 2015. This is DPI's guidelines for conducting evaluations, writing IEPs, and discipline. 

http://sped.dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/sped/pdf/sa-stand-dir-new-cycle.pdf

3. A Guide for Writing IEPs

Department of Public Instruction developed this "A Guide for Writing IEPs" back in 2010.  However it does include: 

• Sample IEPs for students at each level
• How to write measurable and annual IEP goal statements
• Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance
• IEP Program Summary
• IEP Checklist
• and more

http://sped.dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/sped/pdf/iepguide.pdf

4. Results Driven Accountability

DPI will be focusing on "Results Driven Accountability" requirements with the greatest impact on improving outcomes for students with disabilities especially in the area of reading for the next round of the Self Assessment of Procedural Compliance.  I have attached these proposed outcomes that need to be addressed and written into the IEPs.