Process and Laws in Special Education
Your presence is requested to attend a development meeting with your child Jennifer’s educational staff. During the meeting we will
all discuss Jennifer’s disability and the special education process within our district. The reason for the meeting is to obtain Jennifer’s
potential need to develop transitional services that are used to determine if Jennifer will be eligible to receive special education
services. These services are in accordance with the individuals with disabilities education act (IDEA) and our school district.
During the meeting we all will be discussing Jennifer’s disability along with the steps used to determine whether or not she will be
able to obtain special education services. The topics that will be discussed in greater details are:
The evaluation process (identifying the need for services): before a child can obtain services there must first be an evaluation to see if
the child has an eligible disability as described by IDEA. If so, other pertinent questions will be asked; does the disability affect the
educational process and does the child need specialized instruction? An evaluation request can come from the parent and/or from the
school district. Retrieved June 29, 2016 from Arkansas Department of Education Special Education website from
https://arksped.k12.ar.us
Prior written notice to the parent(s) (giving parents prior notice): Under IDEA guidelines, it is required that a parent be given a
written notice about the school is wanting to give the child an evaluation. Included in the notice must be an explanation about why the
school wants to conduct the evaluation, explain each phase of the evaluation, where parents can go to obtain the results of the
evaluation, alternatives considered and any other pertinent information that will be included. Retrieved June 29, 2016 from Arkansas
Department of Education Special Education website from https://arksped.k12.ar.us
Parental permission (parents’ permission and input) before a child can obtain services there must first be an evaluation to see if the
child has an eligible disability as described by IDEA. If so, other pertinent questions will be asked; does the disability affect the
educational process and does the child need specialized instruction? An evaluation request can come from the parent and/or from the
school district. Retrieved June 29, 2016 from Arkansas Department of Education Special Education website from
https://arksped.k12.ar.us
Timeframe and scope of the evaluation (time given for completion and details of the evaluation) the initial evaluation must be given
within 60 days of parental approval to give evaluation to the child. Once the approval is granted, the Individualized Education Plan
(IEP) team appointment is made and during the meeting the student’s IEP is prepared. Everyone on the team must give their consent.
After IEP is completed, services for the child are awarded. Progress is documented and shared with parents. The IEP is reviewed once
Process and Laws in Special Education
per year and during this time changes can be made by the team. The child is re-evaluated within three years. Retrieved June 29, 2016 from Arkansas Department of Education Special Education website from https://arksped.k12.ar.us
Each persons’ role is very vital. Therefore, it is very necessary for all parties to attend. I have highlighted all of our roles; as a student
it is expected that Jennifer actively participate in all discussions and decisions. As a parent it is expected that support be given to the
Jennifer and reinforcement is given to any pertinent information regarding all areas where Jennifer needs assistance. Also, there will
be other board members as myself present. During that time the board members will be providing input and allocating necessary
resources to ensure the student needs are met and as the teacher, I will provide input in regards to needed services. We have invited;
Ms. Rose Delano-Parent, Jennifer Delano-Student, Stephanie Edwards-Inspiring Special Education Teacher, and IEP team members.
You are welcome to invite other people that have knowledge about Jennifer’s disability.
The date and time scheduled will be August 26, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held in conference room two. Please inform
me as to whether you will be able to accompany Jennifer at the date and time that is requested by returning the correspondence letter
to me by August 1, 2016. Also, kindly inform me if there are others whom you will be inviting (or persons who would like to come) to
Jennifer’s meeting and I will arrange and facilitate the meeting. If you have any questions about this letter or the meeting, please give
me a call at (501) 514-3599.
I and the team look forward to working with you to help Jennifer attain her personal and professional goals.
Sincerely,
Inspiring Special Education Teacher
Process and Laws in Special Education