User:Kande024

Introduction
Principals have many different roles, and today's principals are trying to fulfill them without stepping on any toes. The job of a 21st century administrator is a difficult one with all the rules and regulations that are now in place for special education students, for example the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendment. Special education as well as building administrators play in important role in all aspects development and implementation of programs for all students with disabilities. Administrators are involved for the beginning with the identification and eligibility process all the way through to the development and implementation of all programs and materials available to their students.

Roles of a Special Education Administrator
"Special education administrators oversee school district special education programs. They assist with program administration, ensure the quality of special education services, and work with teachers and parents in the education process.(Special Education Administrator)" Special education administrators also determine educational standards and goals for special education programs, Ensure that those programs comply with federal, state, and local laws, and provide parents with regular reports on their child's progress.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IDEA was implemented in 2004 with its main goals being: "To ensure that children with disabilities have a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) available to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living. To ensure that the rights of children with disabilities and their parents are protected. To assist states, localities, educational service agencies and Federal agencies in providing for the education of all children with disabilities. To assist states in the implementation of a statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, multi-disciplinary, interagency system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. To ensure that educators and parents have the necessary tools to improve educational results for children with disabilities. To assess and ensure the effectiveness of efforts to educate children with disabilities. (Purposes)"

To ensure that these goals are being met principals are keeping a close watch. Administrators are required to be present during Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings, sign off on each child's IEP, and sign off on all child study and eligibility matters.

Individual Education Plans
IEPs are designed with children in mind. They take into account both the child's strengths and weaknesses and provide appropriate solutions in order to help a child succeed. In developing an IEP the schools IEP committee and the child's parents decide the best services for the child. In the meeting the child's regular education teacher, a special education teacher, the child's parents or guardian, an administrator and the child if he or she is within the age of majority are present. As a parent "specific timelines ensure that the development of an IEP moves from referral to providing services as quickly as possible. (What are your legal rights?)" This time is within 60 days from time of referral to eligibility meeting. IEPs are written within 30 calendar day of the eligibility date. An IEP must be updated each year. It is a right of the students and families that "schools must have procedures for maintaining confidentiality of school records. Parents have the right to see all records relating to the testing, placement, and teaching of their child. (Woolfolk, 123)"

Due Process
Included in IDEA is a way of litigating conflict between Parents and schools, which is called due process. Due Process consists of a formal hearing, where both the school and the parents are able to present their case in front of a judge. However, these cases can be brought up by either the school if they believe the child needs services and the parent is in disagreement or by the parent if the school refuses the parents request for a specific service. For example, if a parent requests a personal assistant for a student and the IEP committee decides that the service is not appropriate, the parent can then request a due process hearing. On the other hand, in the case of a student who is recommended to a placement in an alternative setting due to a discipline issue, the parents may disagree with a placement. If the school feels strongly enough that the student is a danger, or their behavior warrants the more restrictive environment the school system also has the right to further the case in due process.

Quiz Questions:
1. What does IEP stand for? a. Instructional Evaluation Process b. Individual Education Plan c. Institutional Educational Program

2. In what year was IDEA founded? a. 2005 b. 1999 c. 2004 d. 1996

3. Which is NOT a role of the administrator? a. Sign an IEP b. Comply with all laws c. Be present at an IEP meeting d. Buy the student lunch

4. Who can bring a case to due process? a. only a parent b. a special education teacher c. a regular education teacher d. the school or a parent e. both b and c

5. Whose best interests are in mind when drafting an IEP? a. the regular education teachers b. the parents c. the administrations d. the students

Answers 1. b 2. c 3. d 4. d 5. d

Explain the two ways a case can be brought to due process and how it is resolved.

A case can be brought to due process by either the parent or the school. If a parent disagrees with a placement of a student they can ultimately bring the school to due process, or a school could bring a parent to due process if they refuse to sign and IEP due to a disagreement. A judge presides over the hearing and makes the final decision.