The Special Education Identification Process

A WebQuest for Classroom Teachers

Introduction | Task | Process | Sources | Evaluation | Conclusion

Note to Facilitators

 

Introduction
As a classroom teacher, it is essential for you to know the special education law, the identification process, and the policies and procedures of your school district.  This WebQuest is an inquiry based activity designed to familiarize you with the often confusing endeavor of navigating the special education process for student in your class.  By the end of this WebQuest, you will be able to:
  • Explain how to identify children in your classroom who may be in need of services;
  • Address student concerns through the pre-referral and referral processes that are in place at your school;
  • Participate in special education team meetings;
  • Understand and explain the results of individual standardized assessments, and;
  • Explain the process of providing special education services to a child through the Individual Education Plan, or IEP.

 

Task
You will research all aspects of the special education identification process to answer three essential questions:

1.  How do I identify students in my classroom who may be in need of services?

  • What is the process in my school and district for addressing concerns?
  • Does my school or district have a pre-referral procedure?

2.  What do the IDEA and Section 504 laws mean? 

  • How are they related to each other?
  • You may want to use a Venn Diagram to organize your ideas.

3.  What are the steps of  the special education identification process?

  • Who are the professionals involved?
  • What assessments are used and how do I interpret the results? 
  • What are my roles and responsibilities as a classroom teacher?

 

Process
Begin the WebQuest by using the online sources below and your resource folder (provided by your facilitator) to compile comprehensive answers the essential questions.  Your facilitator may direct you to share your results in a discussion, take a WebQuiz, or complete a multimedia project.

 

Sources

Special Education Law

Overview of ADA, IDEA, and Section 504, by Kelly Henderson

Discussion of Section 504, the ADA, and the IDEA, by Pete and Pam Wright

Learning Disabled Eligibility Criteria-Federal, by Jan Baumel, M.S.

Section 504 and IDEA: Basic Similarities and Differences, by S. James Rosenfeld, Esq.

The Special Education Identification Process

The Classroom Teacher: An Observation Specialist, by Martha Reed, M.Ed.

How a Student Is Identified as Having a Disability and Needing Special Education Services, by the U.S. Dept. of Education

Understanding the Special Education Process, by the PACER Center

Tests and Measurements for the Parent, Teacher, Advocate, & Attorney, by Peter W.D. Wright, Esq. and Pamela Darr Wright, M.A., M.S.W.

The Individual Education Plan

IEP -- An Overview, by Jan Baumel, M.S.

Guide to the Individual Education Program, by the Office of Special Education Programs

IEP Team Members: Who writes the IEP?, by the U.S. Department of Education

General Education Accommodations, by Jan Baumel, M.S.

Terminology

Glossary of Professionals, by the Parent's Educational Resource Center

Terms Used in Individual Standardized Tests, by Joyce Destefanis, M.A.

Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary

 

Evaluation
You have many choices in the evaluation process.  Your facilitator will direct you to the appropriate evaluation option.  Here are three options:

1.  Take a WebQuiz on the essential questions.

2.  Discuss your answers to the essential questions with your group.

3.  Complete one of the following projects, following the rubric :

Project

Guidelines of an exemplary product:

Create a newsletter or brochure for parents explaining the special education process.

  • integrates concepts learned in the WebQuest

  • content is well written and informative

  • incorporates and cites a variety of sources

  • audience is targeted

  • demonstrates smooth integration of technology

  • well organized and visually appealing

 

Using PowerPoint or HyperStudio to create a multimedia presentation for parents to inform them of the special education process.

Make an informative video about the special education process that parents could check out and view.

Compile an annotated Hotlist of online resources for parents or teachers.

 

 

Conclusion
As a classroom teacher, you will be involved in the special education identification process numerous times in your career.  You should now feel familiar with the special education identification process and comfortable with the laws, concepts, and terminology. 

 

Note to Facilitators

This WebQuest was designed to be used in any school or school district.  You will need to supplement this WebQuest with a resource folder including special education policies and procedures specific to your school, district, and state.  This WebQuest is flexible in that you may choose to use it for short-term or long-term instructional goals.  For short-term workshops, individuals or groups could use the WebQuest to answer the essential questions outlined above.  Evaluation could include taking the WebQuiz or participating in a group discussion.  For long-term workshops, individuals or groups could use the WebQuest to answer the essential questions outlined above and complete one of the three multimedia projects.  The projects could serve as extremely helpful resources for your school or district.

 

 

This Web Quest published by:

Janet Prindle

Campton Elementary School

in partial fulfillment of:

ED 557

Classroom Intervention and Special Education Strategies

Plymouth State College

Fall 2002