SEPAC Meeting Minutes, Presentations, and Handouts
Please click here to review some of our past SEPAC meeting minutes, presentations, and handouts.
The following content and links provide information not connected to the Milton Public Schools or Milton SEPAC. This information grows organically from input from our membership and from readers like you; it is updated on a periodic basis. Milton SEPAC does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information presented on any third-party website linked here. Further, Milton SEPAC does not endorse any of the informational content appearing on any third-party website linked here. We are simply providing a list of reference tools, articles, resources, and organizations to parents, families, and any other interested persons. Please contact us at miltonsepac@gmail.com if you have any questions, input, and/or recommendations. Thank you.
FEDERAL POLICY, REGULATION, & RESOURCES
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) - (reauthorizes the federal law governing education - last reauthorized as the No Child Left Behind Act in 2002)
ESSA includes provisions that will help to ensure success for students and schools. Below are just a few. The law:
Advances equity by upholding critical protections for America's disadvantaged and high-need students
Requires that all students in America be taught to high academic standards that will prepare them to succeed in college and careers
Ensures that vital information is provided to educators, families, students, and communities through annual statewide assessments that measure students' progress toward those high standards
U.S. Dept. of Education - Office for Civil Rights
OCR 100: An Introduction to Federal Civil Rights Protections in Education - This short webinar provides an overview of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
The Civil Rights of Students with Hidden Disabilities Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - This law prohibits public and private schools that receive federal financial assistance from discriminating against anyone with a disability.
Protecting Students with Disabilities: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities
Anyone who feels that a school, school district, college, university, library, or other educational entity that is covered by a law OCR enforces has violated a federal civil rights law enforced by OCR can file a compliant online at: ocrcas.ed.gov
OCR’s Center for Outreach, Prevention, Education, and Non-discrimination, called the “OPEN” Center, can be contacted at OPEN@ed.gov
U.S. Dept. of Education - Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
OSERS mission is to improve early childhood, educational, and employment outcomes and raise expectations
for all people with disabilities, their families, their communities, and the nation. In implementing this mission, OSERS supports programs that help educate children and youth with disabilities and provides for the rehabilitation of youth and adults with disabilities.
OSEP (OSERS' Office of Special Education Programs) mission is to lead the nation's efforts to improve outcomes for children with disabilities, birth through 21, and their families, ensuring access to fair, equitable, and high-quality education and services. OSEP administers the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - a statute which funds special education programs.
IDEA covers children whose disability impairs their academic performance. It requires that students (age 3-22) be given FAPE, a “free, appropriate public education.” Your child may or may not qualify, depending on how their disability affects their ability to learn. If the student qualifies, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will be developed. (An IEP is similar to a Section 504 Plan but would include specific measures to address your child’s academic performance and needed special education and other related services.)
How to Use IDEA to Improve Your Child’s Special Education
OSERS Blog - news and resources
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities from discrimination. This law expressly prohibits all schools and day care centers (except those run by religious institutions) from discriminating against people with disabilities. Its definition of disability is the same as in Section 504. Basically, these laws say that your child has the right to go to school, play a sport, join a club, and do everything else that kids without a disability can do. They also say that public schools and other covered organizations must make “reasonable accommodations” for the disability. Such accommodations are to be spelled out in the Section 504 plan, IEP, or other education plan.
A Parent Advocacy Brief from the National Center for Learning Disabilities - Understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
MASSACHUSETTS POLICY, REGULATION, & RESOURCES
MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) - Special Education
Parent Information, including:
A pdf Parent's Guide to Special Education and accompanying online, interactive module - developed to assist families in understanding the Special Education process and the supports and services that children with disabilities need to succeed in school; both the Parent Guide and module highlight Massachusetts' special education systems
Parent’s Notice of Procedural Safeguards (aka Parent's Rights Brochure) - designed to assist parents in understanding the special education process, and the rights of the parent when their child has been referred for, or is receiving, special education services
Leading Educational Access Project (LEAP) - promote educational access and equity
PARENTS’ RIGHTS AND HELPFUL TOOLS
15 rights parents have in public schools, including:
“Rights of children with special needs and disabilities for special instruction. Federal law grants all students who qualify for special education an individually designed instruction program at no cost to their parents. Parents have the legal right to have their child’s educational needs professionally evaluated, determined, and served. The student’s needs can be accommodated in either a general education classroom with assistance from a resource specialist (full inclusion) or in a smaller class of students who require individualized or small-group instruction. A student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and Section 504 guides the school in assisting and accommodating K-12 kids who are challenged with learning, emotional, mental, and physical disabilities. The parent’s signature is required to approve these plans.”
10 Basic Steps in Special Education
Right to an Evaluation of a Child for Special Education Services
Evaluation Rights: What You Need to Know
Information on Eligibility for Special Education
Understanding the Special Education Process - brief, graphical overview
Timelines for Special Education in MA
Accommodations: What they are and how they work
Determining Appropriate Assessment Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Placement options - FCSN webinar (presented on YouTube) that provides parents with information on the range of special education placement options available by law - what placements exists and a roadmap for making determinations on placement
Due Process options (when the IEP team cannot reach agreement): Problem Resolution System (PRS); Mediation; Facilitated Team Meeting (FIEP); SpedEx Program; Hearing
more details re: SpedEx - dispute resolution option available in certain cases after an IEP has been rejected, or if a mediation or hearing request has been filed - free to schools and families
Preparing for Special Education Mediation and Resolution Sessions: A Guide for Families and Advocates
IDEA Information Series for Parents and Advocates - a series of short, parent-friendly articles on key provisions of IDEA 2004 and specific changes that parents and advocates should know and understand - written by The Advocacy Institute for GreatSchools.org:
FAMILY SUPPORT
Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) provides information, support, and assistance to parents of children with disabilities, their professional partners, and their communities. The Federation is committed to listening to and learning from families, and encouraging full participation in community life by all people, especially those with disabilities.
FCSN Parent & Families Resources - information, resources and support (webinars, pdfs, articles) relating to various topics such as special education, disability, transition
FCSN Services - The Federation has multiple initiatives that support, educate and empower families and professionals around the education, health and community needs of children. These initiatives promote family engagement in all communities throughout Massachusetts. Including:
Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) purpose is to inform, educate, train, and support parents, youth with disabilities and the professionals that work with them about the special education laws and procedures so they can be effective advocates for their children. The Federation was the nation’s first parent information and training center funded under the federal special education law in 1975. Includes an information center, workshops, resources.
REAL Transition Partners - connects Massachusetts youth and young adults with disabilities of transition age (14-26) and their families to information and support as they plan for productive, independent, and meaningful adult lives.
Advocating Over the Long Haul: Handling Stress and Staying in the Game
50 best books on special education
Massachusetts Sibling Support Network - this organization supports siblings of people with disabilities in the following ways: creating welcoming communities for siblings across the lifespan; improving the range and availability of sibling support services; and providing education about sibling-related issues.
Advice From Siblings of Special-Needs Kids - by Alyson Krueger
Zoom meetings for supporting siblings
Supporting Students with Disabilities at School and Home - This guide highlights 5 key practices for teachers and families to support all students, including students with disabilities, at school and home.
SpEd Webinars, Camps, Recreation, Events - sign up for their great biweekly newsletter here
MFA Beyond the Spectrum - a specially designed program for children and teens on the autism spectrum and their families
We Rock the Spectrum gym in Wellesley - a place for children of all ability levels to play and grow together, offers an inclusive philosophy
IEP (INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM)
U.S. Dept. of Education: A Guide to the Individualized Education Program
IEP Processes, Forms & Notices - here you can find a pdf IEP Process Guide, IEP Forms and Notices (translated), Transition Planning Form, and others (source: DESE)
IEP for My Child - a FCSN workshop on YouTube
IEP Improvement Project - goal is to improve outcomes for all students with disabilities by providing guidance, technical assistance, and tools on equitable processes to school and district professionals, families, and students so that all students with disabilities have meaningful access to the curriculum frameworks and life of the school (source: DESE)
Writing a Strong Vision Statement
SMART IEP goals - IEPs that are specific, measurable, use action words, are realistic and relevant, and time-limited
How to Know If Your Child’s Making Progress Toward IEP Goals
Resolving Parent-School Disputes
10 Defusing Phrases to Use at IEP Meetings
Transition Planning: resources and materials; post-secondary goals and annual IEP goals; goals example sheet; transition assessments example sheet
The LINK center provides information for transition age youth and their families http://fcsn.org/linkcenter/
SECTION 504
Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools (source: U.S. Dept. of Education - Office for Civil Rights)
A parent’s guide to Section 504 in public schools
Understanding the Differences Between IDEA and Section 504
The difference between IEPs and 504 plans - this chart compares them side by side to help you understand the differences
DISABILITY DEFINITIONS AND RESOURCES
Disability & Special Education Acronyms
Disability Definitions & Links - definitions of each of the Massachusetts disability categories and links to MA & National Organizations/Resources for each disability
Categories of Disability Under IDEA
Sec. 300.8 Child with a Disability (IDEA statue language) - categories & definitions of disability terms
Advocacy/Disabilities Rights - MA & National Links/Resources
Disability & Diversity Calendar
OTHER DISABILITY-SPECIFIC LINKS AND INFORMATION
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Strategies and Support for ADHD - resource for families and adults living with ADHD and related conditions
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
Autism
Act Relative to Insurance Coverage for Autism (ARICA) - MA Legislature
ARICA: Frequently Asked Questions
The Autism Insurance Law: MA DESE Administrative Advisory
Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts
The Autism Insurance Resource Center - a program of The Shriver Center, a division of The University of Massachusetts Medical School
Autism Insurance Resource Center FAQs
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy Guide - provides free educational materials, financial options, and support to help those affected by cerebral palsy
Down Syndrome
Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress - promoting the acceptance & inclusion of people with Down syndrome & their families
Dyslexia
Decoding Dyslexia - MA aims to raise awareness, to empower students with dyslexia and their families, and
to inform policy makers on best practices to identify, remediate, and support students with
dyslexia in Massachusetts public schools and institutions of higher learning.
National Institutes of Health - Reading Disorders
Smith-Magenis Syndrome
Parents and Researchers Interested in Smith-Magenis Syndrome (PRISMS) is dedicated to providing information and support to families of persons with Smith-Magenis Syndrome (SMS), sponsoring research and fostering partnerships with professionals to increase awareness and understanding of SMS.
Tourette Syndrome / Tic Disorders
The Tourette Association of America works to raise awareness, advance research, and provide ongoing support to patients and families impacted by Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders. What is Tourette