Special+Education+Information

__General Information:__ 1. Identify the student's unique educational needs 2. Develop annual goals for the student via an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) 3. Determine the placement, program modification, testing accommodations, and other special services that the student needs.
 * Special education programs in the United States were made mandatory in 1975 when the United States Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) in response to discriminatory treatment by public educational agencies against students with disabilities.
 * The EHA was later modified and renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The federal laws require states to provide special education consistent with federal standards. IDEA entitles every student to a free and appropriate public education ( also known as FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).
 * To ensure a FAPE, a team of professionals from the local educational agency (school in which you reside) meet with the student's parents to:
 * Parents play a vital role in his/her child's education as they become part of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), along with the local educational agency professionals, such as special education teachers, regular education teachers, school psychologists, therapists, guidance counselors, etc.
 * Together, the MDT collaborates and makes decisions on educational placement. This is recorded in the IEP. The school is required to develop and implement an IEP that meets all state and federal regulations.

__Useful Websites__ __[|PaTTan of Pittsburgh]__ __[|Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV]__ __[|Pennsylvania Standards Aligned System]__ __[|PA Department of Education]__ __[|United States Dept. of Education]__ __[|K-12 Academics]__