Special Education: An Advocate's Manual

276 Pages·2017·1.9 MB·English

Special Education:
An Advocate’s Manual

A Publication of
Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, Inc.

Elmer L. Cerano
Executive Director

Revised: October 2017
Mission

The mission of Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, Inc.
(MPAS) is to advocate and protect the legal rights
of people with disabilities.

Publications

MPAS is the federally mandated protection and advocacy system for
Michigan. MPAS receives part of its funding from the Administration on Intellectual
and Developmental Disabilities, the Center for Mental Health Services-Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Rehabilitation Services
Administration, and the Social Security Administration.

The contents of this publication are solely the responsibility of MPAS and do not
necessarily represent the official views of the federal agencies listed above.

Alternative formats available upon request.

This publication is funded 100% by federal appropriations and grants.
Total copies: 250
Total cost: $4,001.93
Introduction

School services and supports for students with disabilities is a reality today because of the
commitment of parents, associations, and professionals to educational opportunity for students
with disabilities. Education for students with disabilities is now required by law, but only with
informed and vigilant advocacy will students with disabilities continue to be assured an
education that meets their unique needs.

Special Education: An Advocate's Manual was written as a reference manual for everyone
from parents entering the special education process for the first time to attorneys. It is a
synthesis of federal and state special education statutes and regulations, combined with
advocacy techniques and approaches.

The manual is divided into sections to help you work through the special education process
logically. You will notice that it first covers essential background information -- such as
definitions, contacts, and relevant laws -- and then moves to the actual process.

The text is meant to be a non-legal explanation of special education law. Actual statutes and
regulations, however, are crucial to effective advocacy because the ability to point to the
relevant legal language will be more persuasive than referring to a restatement of the law. The
manual provides full legal citations so you can look up the laws or regulations yourself. Just
take the manual to your local bar association library or other law library and ask the librarian
for assistance in looking up the law or regulation you need.

This manual is not intended to answer all of your questions about special education. Many
questions can only be addressed individually. MPAS provides other written information,
advocacy services and referrals to assist with individual questions.

The information contained in this manual is for informational purposes only and does not
constitute legal advice. Neither the information contained in the manual nor its use by a visitor
creates a contract or an attorney-client relationship. Although we strive to be as accurate as
possible, there is no promise or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, adequacy,
timeliness, or relevance of the information contained in the materials. If these materials contain
links to websites or other resources, MPAS is not responsible for the content of those websites
or resources.

Acknowledgments

Special Education: An Advocate's Manual was written by Laura Petrovello and Nancy Sullivan
in 1984. MPAS expresses appreciation to Charles Mange, Ph.D., Lynwood E. Beekman, Esq.,
Harrold Spicknall, Ph.D., Sandra McClennen, Ph.D., Lutie Papesh, M.A., and Caroline
Campbell, M.A., for reviewing and commenting on the initial version. The manual was revised
in 1987, 1989, 1993, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2017.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: THE LEGAL BASIS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION
What This Chapter is About......................................................... 1-1
Advocacy Hints in Chapter 1........................................................ 1-1
Constitutional Law........................................................................ 1-2
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)........................ 1-2
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act .......................................... 1-3
Americans with Disabilities Act.....................................................1-3
Elementary and Secondary Education Act................................... 1-4
Michigan Mandatory Special Education Act (MMSEA)................ 1-4
Local and District Policies............................................................ 1-5
Intermediate School District (ISD) Plans...................................... 1-5
Waivers........................................................................................ 1-5
Deviations.................................................................................... 1-6
Understanding Citations............................................................... 1-6
Federal Statutes................................................................. 1-6
Federal Regulations............................................................ 1-7
State Statutes..................................................................... 1-8
State Rules......................................................................... 1-9
Court Cases........................................................................ 1-9
Responsible Agencies.................................................................. 1-10
Federal Agencies................................................................ 1-10
State Agencies.................................................................... 1-11
Contact Information............................................................. 1-11

Chapter 2: SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES AND SUPPORTS
What This Chapter is About......................................................... 2-1
Advocacy Hints in Chapter 2........................................................ 2-1
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) ................................. 2-2
Special Education........................................................................ 2-5
Supplementary Aids and Services............................................... 2-6
Categorical Special Education Programs..................................... 2-7
Specific Requirements for Categorical Programs........................ 2-8
Related Services ......................................................................... 2-11
Assistive Technology Devices and Services................................ 2-12
Physical Education....................................................................... 2-13
Transportation.............................................................................. 2-14
Behavior Planning and Supports................................................. 2-14
Services and Supports in Charter Schools.................................. 2-15
Services and Supports in Alternative Schools............................. 2-15
Special Education in Juvenile Justice Facilities ........................... 2-16
Services and Supports in Nonpublic Schools.............................. 2-16
Services and Supports in Home Schools .................................... 2-17
Appendix 2-1: IDEA Related Services—34 CFR 300.34............. 2-18
Appendix 2-2: U.S. DOE - November 16, 2015 Letter..................2-21

Chapter 3: REFERRAL AND ELIGIBILITY
What This Chapter is About......................................................... 3-1
Advocacy Hints in Chapter 3....................................................... 3-1
Child Find.................................................................................... 3-2
Protections for Students Not Yet Identified.................................. 3-2
Referral........................................................................................ 3-3
Referral in Private Schools................................................. 3-4
Referral in Charter Schools................................................. 3-4
Eligibility Under IDEA and State Law........................................... 3-4
Eligibility Under Section 504........................................................ 3-12
Determining Eligibility................................................................... 3-13
Appendix 3-1: Sample Letter Requesting Services..................... 3-14
Appendix 3-2: Checklist of Eligibility Categories......................... 3-15

Chapter 4: EVALUATIONS
What This Chapter is About......................................................... 4-1
Advocacy Hints in Chapter 4........................................................ 4-1
Legal Requirements for Special Education Evaluations.............. 4-2
When Are Evaluations Required? ............................................... 4-2
What Must Evaluations Cover? ................................................... 4-4
How Are Evaluations Conducted? .............................................. 4-5
Standardized Tests and Assessments ........................................ 4-5
The Independent Educational Evaluation.................................... 4-6
Parents’ Role in the Evaluation ................................................... 4-7
Appendix 4-1: Letter Requesting an Evaluation.......................... 4-8
Appendix 4-2: Letter Requesting an Independent Evaluation..... 4-9
Appendix 4-3: Letter Requesting an Independent Evaluation
Exceeding the School District's "Reasonable Cost" .......... 4-10
Appendix 4-4: Letter Requesting Reevaluation........................... 4-11
Appendix 4-5: Letter Requesting Additional Testing................... 4-12

Chapter 5: RECORDS
What This Chapter is About......................................................... 5-1
Advocacy Hints in Chapter 5 ....................................................... 5-1
School Records ........................................................................... 5-2
Access By Parent ........................................................................ 5-3
Confidentiality .............................................................................. 5-4
Consent ....................................................................................... 5-4
Authorized Access........................................................................5-4
Safeguards .................................................................................. 5-5
How to Change Records ............................................................. 5-5
Complaints About Records.......................................................... 5-6
Records To Keep......................................................................... 5-7
Appendix 5-1: Parent’s Notebook .............................................. 5-9
Appendix 5-2: Letter Requesting Review of Records ................ 5-10
Appendix 5-3: Letter Requesting Records from School ............. 5-11
Appendix 5-4: Letter Requesting Records When a Meeting
is Pending............................................................ 5-12
Appendix 5-5: Letter Requesting a Change in Student's
Records ............................................................. 5-13

Chapter 6: THE INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM
What This Chapter is About ........................................................ 6-1
Advocacy Hints in Chapter 6 ....................................................... 6-2
General Information about the IEP Process ................................ 6-3
Invitation to Attend the IEP Meeting ............................................ 6-4
The IEPT Meeting ....................................................................... 6-5
The IEP Form .............................................................................. 6-6
IEP Timelines .............................................................................. 6-7
IEP Section 1: Demographic Information ................................... 6-8
Section 2-A: Present Level of Academic Achievement
and Functional Performance ............................................. 6-13
Section 2-B: Option I Present Level of Academic
Achievement and Functional Performance ........................ 6-14
Section 2-B: Option II Present Level of Academic
Achievement and Functional Performance ........................ 6-15
Section 2-B: Option III Present Level of Academic
Achievement and Functional Performance
Least Restrictive Environment ........................................... 6-16
Section 3: Secondary Transition Considerations ........................ 6-19
Section 4: Option I Goals and Objectives/Benchmarks............... 6-21
Section 4: Option II Goals and Objectives/Benchmarks ............. 6-22
Section 5: Supplementary Aids and Services.............................. 6-25
Section 6: Assessment — Participation and Provisions............... 6-27
Section 7: Special Education Services and Programs................ 6-29
Notice for Initial Provision of Services and Programs.................. 6-32
Notice for Provision of Services and Programs........................... 6-33
IEP Amendment........................................................................... 6-35

Chapter 7: LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT (LRE)
What This Chapter is About ........................................................ 7-1
Advocacy Hints in Chapter 7 ....................................................... 7-1
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) .......................................... 7-1
Least Restrictive Environment under IDEA ................................. 7-2
Least Restrictive Environment under Section 504 ...................... 7-5
LRE and the Neighborhood School ............................................. 7-5

Chapter 8: PROBLEM SOLVING AND COMPLAINTS
What This Chapter is About ........................................................ 8-1
Advocacy Hints in Chapter 8 ....................................................... 8-2
Informal Problem Solving……………………………….................. 8-3
Effective Advocacy Techniques................................................... 8-5
Common Informal Problems and Solutions................................. 8-5
Formal Problem Solving............................................................... 8-6
Formal State Complaints ............................................................. 8-6
After a State Complaint if Filed.................................................... 8-7
When a State Complaint Allegation is Substantiated................... 8-8
When a State Complaint Allegation is Not Substantiated............ 8-8
Tips on Filing an Effective State Complaint ................................ 8-9
Federal Complaints ..................................................................... 8-9
Due Process Hearing and Appeals .............................................8-10
When to Request a Hearing ........................................................ 8-10
How to Request a Hearing ...........................................................8-11
Due Process Hearing Rights ....................................................... 8-14
Placement During the Hearing Process ...................................... 8-15
Termination of the Hearing Process ............................................8-15
The Hearing Decision .................................................................. 8-16
Appealing the Administrative Law Judge’s Decision ................... 8-16
Attorney’s Fees ........................................................................... 8-17
Mediation ..................................................................................... 8-18
Appendix 8-1: Common Problems and Solutions....................... 8-19
Appendix 8-2: Sample Complaint Letter…………………............ 8-22
Appendix 8-3: Section 504 Letter of Complaint …...................... 8-25
Appendix 8-4: Follow Up Letter to OCR….................................. 8-27
Appendix 8-5: U.S DOE: Dispute Resolution Procedures
Memorandum.....................................................8-28

Chapter 9: INFANT, TODDLER, AND PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS
What This Chapter is About ........................................................ 9-1
Advocacy Hints in Chapter 9 ..................................................... 9-1
Early Intervention or “Early On” Services ................................... 9-2
Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) .................................. 9-5
Lead Agency ............................................................................... 9-6
Transition to Special Education Services .................................... 9-6
Preschool Services ......................................................................9-7
Least Restrictive Environment .................................................... 9-7
Procedural Safeguards ............................................................... 9-8
Chapter 10: TRANSITION
What This Chapter is About ........................................................ 10-1
Advocacy Hints in Chapter 10 ..................................................... 10-1
Transition Services for Students with Disabilities ........................ 10-2
Special Education and Vocational Education .............................. 10-2
Rehabilitation Counseling Services ............................................. 10-3
Vocational Evaluations ................................................................ 10-3
Transition Services ...................................................................... 10-4
Transition and General Education................................................10-5
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act........................... 10-7
Transfer of Rights ........................................................................ 10-8
Appendix 10-1: Community Mental Health Services .................. 10-9
Appendix 10-2: Vocational Rehabilitation Services .................... 10-10
Appendix 10-3: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act...10-11

Chapter 11: SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION
What This Chapter is About ........................................................ 11-1
Advocacy Hints in Chapter 11 ..................................................... 11-1
School’s Power to Suspend or Expel Students ........................... 11-3
Due Process for All Students ...................................................... 11-5
Due Process Protections for Students with Disabilities ............... 11-7
The Manifestation Review ........................................................... 11-9
Challenging the Manifestation Review ........................................ 11-12
Students Not Yet Identified as Students with Disabilities ............ 11-14
Right to Post-Expulsion Services ................................................ 11-15
The Role of Family Court……...................................................... 11-16
Preventing Behavior Problems Before They Occur……………… 11-16
Appendix 11-1: Letter to Court Requesting Dismissal of
Criminal Case Against Student ......................... 11-18