Information about Special Education for Culturally Diverse Families
ISSAQUAH SCHOOL DISTRICT
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) is a law that gives all children the right to a “Free and Appropriate Public Education” (FAPE). This includes: • An evaluation paid for by the school • Services to support their learning needs from ages 3-21 • An education in the “Least Restrictive Environment” (LRE). The school must provide the support to enable a student to learn in a regular classroom as much as possible.
BY KARTIK MITHAL, Co-President & JESSICA BRASWELL, Vice President of Parent Education Issaquah Special Education PTSA hello@issaquahspecialeducationptsa.org
If you are new to school in the U.S., you may not know about Special Education. This article has basic information that you can use to help your child. It describes Special Education in the U.S., the Special Services Department in the Issaquah School District, and the Issaquah Special Education PTSA.
What is Special Education?
In the U.S., we recognize that each child is different, and some children need “specially designed instruction” (SDI) or “accommodations.” For a child with a disability, schools might meet specific needs at no cost to the parents. These can include: • Speech-language Services • Occupational Therapy • Physical Therapy • and other related services the child may need. As an example, a student who has difficulty walking can be allowed to use a wheelchair. Their seat in a classroom might be placed to make it easy to get in and out of that wheelchair. Or if a child has been diagnosed with a neurodivergent disorder (e.g., autism, dyslexia, ADHD, etc.), they may be provided services to help them be as successful as their peers. Many special needs that would not be considered disabilities in other countries qualify students for special services in the U.S. There are laws in the U.S. at both the federal level (nationwide) and at the state level (Washington State) that require every student to be provided access to public school and given support to learn equally with their peers. There are two laws at the U.S. federal level, IDEA and Section 504. In Washington State, the law is WAC 392-172A-01035. The State Education Ombuds has information on their website.
Some parents worry that if their student qualifies for special education or receives a diagnosis of a neurodivergent disorder, they will be “labeled” for the rest of their life, which may impact their future, including applying to college or getting a job. This is not correct because it would be discrimination and is against the law in the U.S.. Having a diagnosis will help your student by making it easier to get insurance to cover private services and therapies, help with applying for Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) state funding, and help your school design an individual plan or individual accommodations.
IEP vs. 504 plans
An IEP (Individual Education Plan) is often special instruction or services that a student needs to succeed at school. The word “individualized” is very important. The plan should be written with each student’s specific needs in mind so that they can be as successful as their peers. The IEP will be developed in an IEP meeting with a collaborative team that can include the student’s family, the student themselves (if old enough to participate), Special Education Services staff, teachers, and support staff. The family should ask for an interpreter if needed, and the school will provide one. The family may also include in their IEP meetings any other representative they choose, such as an IEP advocate, medical staff, or a legal representative. Always be courteous of the IEP team and notify them who you will bring to the IEP meeting. A 504 plan describes accommodations that will help the student succeed in the classroom but without changing the curriculum itself. Accommodations are often small changes that might include sitting up front near the teacher, taking frequent breaks, or receiving extra time on tests. Again, accommodation does not change the curriculum that the student receives. A 504 plan is chosen when a student is determined to have a disability or if he or she has a physical or cognitive impairment. This impairment or disability must substantially limit one or more major life activities. These activities include things such as walking, seeing, or hearing.
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