Special Education Program Administrator's Handbook

A practical handbook designed to help special education administrators, principals and assistant principals address many of the issues they will confront relating to students with disabilities.   This unique book is developed specifically to help new administrators survive the pressure of working with students with disabilities.  Many texts are filled with theories, but very little practical advice has been available specifically about day-to-day operations.  This book is organized to give new special education administrators that practical advice.  Current administrators with extensive knowledge of special education share their experience through contributed chapters.  The practical, real world advice will prove useful not only for special education administrators, but also for principals and assistant principals. 

Table of Contents:
Preface.   Contributors.   1. Understanding the Law.   OVERVIEW   SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW   Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142) The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Family Education Rights and Privacy Act   PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE   Tips Pitfalls to Avoid   RESOURCES   IDEA 2004 Law and Regulations   REFERENCES   2. 504 Accommodation Plans.   OVERVIEW 21   SECTION 504 REGULATIONS AND DEFINITIONS   Regulations Definitions   EDUCATIONAL ASPECTS   Determining Need for Section 504 Free Appropriate Public Education Least Restrictive Environment Appropriate Evaluation and Placement Evaluation and Reevaluation Placement Procedural Safeguards 504 Accommodation Plans and Responsibilities Section 504 versus IDEA   PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE 29   Tips Pitfalls to Avoid   RESOURCES   REFERENCES   APPENDIX: SAMPLE NOTICES AND AGREEMENTS   3. Preparing for Due Process Hearings and Mediation.   OVERVIEW   REGULATIONS   PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE   Tips for Avoiding Due Process Hearings Tips for Handling Inevitable Pitfalls Tips for Protecting the IEP Team Process When All Else Fails How to Guarantee a Due Process Hearing   RESOURCES   Websites and Technical Assistance   REFERENCES   4. Dealing with Discipline.   OVERVIEW   REGULATIONS 51   Change of Placement for Disciplinary Reasons Authority of School Personnel Authority of Hearing Officer Determination of Setting Manifest Determination Review Behavior Determined Not a Manifestation of Disability Parent Appeal Placement during Appeals Protections for Children Not Yet Eligible for Services Expedited Due Process Hearings Referral to and Action by Other Authorities   PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE 56   Tips Pitfalls to Avoid   RESOURCES   5. Dealing Effectively with Child Find.   OVERVIEW   CHILD FIND REQUIREMENTS 59   Regulations Changes in Child Find Activities through the IDEA 2004   PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE   Reasons for Maintaining Awareness Strategies over Time Tips Pitfalls to Avoid   RESOURCES   Websites Technical Assistance   6. The Referral and Evaluation Process.   OVERVIEW   THE REFERRAL PROCESS   Regulations Putting Principles into Practice   THE EVALUATION PROCESS   General Requirements: Regulations Putting Principles into Practice   RESOURCES   Websites Technical Assistance   7. Monitoring Students in Special Education and Related Services.   OVERVIEW   REGULATIONS   Changes in Monitoring Activities through the IDEA 2004   PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE   Tips Pitfalls to Avoid   RESOURCES   Websites Technical Assistance   8. Understanding Placement Issues   OVERVIEW   REGULATIONS: INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAMS 98   IEP Content IEP Team Attendance Provisions Related to Students’ Transferring into the LEA Amending the IEP Multiyear IEP Demonstration   EXISTING REGULATIONS   PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE   Tips Pitfalls to Avoid   RESOURCES   Websites Technical Assistance   9. Dealing Effectively with Transition Services in the Individualized Education Program (IEP).   OVERVIEW   REGULATIONS   PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE 117   Planning Stages Tips Pitfalls to Avoid Frequently Asked Questions about Transition Services   RESOURCES   Example of a Transition Plan Organizations   REFERENCES   10. Working Effectively with Parent Groups.   OVERVIEW   PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE   Organizing New Groups Working with Existing Groups   RESOURCES   11. Effectively Supporting Within-District and School Transitions.   OVERVIEW   WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT WITHIN-DISTRICT AND SCHOOL TRANSITIONS   How Transferring Affects Students   PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE   Critical Elements Transition Tips A Dozen Facts to Know about Transitions   REFERENCES   12. Managing Federal Funds.   OVERVIEW   REGULATIONS   TIPS AND PITFALLS TO AVOID   RESOURCES   13. Managing Special Education Budgets.   OVERVIEW   BUDGETING CYCLE   BUDGET PREPARATION ACTIVITIES   ACCOUNTING CODES: FUNCTIONS AND OBJECTS   Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)   CALCULATING AND BUDGETING FOR THE TOTAL COST OF OPERATION   TIPS AND PITFALLS TO AVOID   RESOURCES   REFERENCES   14. Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE).   OVERVIEW   REGULATIONS   PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE 183   Appropriateness of Evaluation Scope of Evaluation Utility of Evaluation for IEP Development Final Tips Pitfalls to Avoid   REFERENCES   15. Contracting with Outside Service Providers.   OVERVIEW   REGULATIONS   ROLES OF SERVICE PROVIDERS   Audiology Services Counseling Services Early Identification and Assessment Medical Services Occupational Therapy Services Orientation and Mobility Therapy Services Parent Counseling and Training Physical Therapy Psychological Services Recreation Services Rehabilitation Counseling Services School Health Services Social Work Services in Schools Speech-Language Pathology Services Transportation Services   PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE 193   Tips Avoiding Inadequate Contracted Services Pitfalls to Avoid   RESOURCES   Websites Other Agencies Government Agencies Government-Supported Organizations   16. Navigating the Mental Health System.   OVERVIEW   REGULATIONS   STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES   GUIDELINES AND TIPS ON NAVIGATING INTERAGENCY COORDINATION   PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE   Tips Guidelines for Avoiding Inadequate Mental Health Services   RESOURCES   Websites Other Agencies   REFERENCES   17. Running Efficient and Effective Staff Meetings.   OVERVIEW   SUGGESTIONS FOR EFFECTIVE MEETINGS   PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE   Tips Pitfalls to Avoid   REFERENCES   18. Building Relationships with Special Education Staff.   OVERVIEW   REGULATIONS   PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE   Building Interpersonal Skills Managing Special Education   REFERENCES   19. Evaluating Special Education Staff.   OVERVIEW   REGULATIONS   PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE   Observing and Evaluating Teachers Developing or Adapting an Evaluation Framework   REFERENCES   SUGGESTED READINGS   20. Working with Other Administrators.   OVERVIEW   REGULATIONS   PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE   The Superintendent The School Board The Building Principal and Assistant Principal General Tips for the Administration Team   REFERENCES   INDEX.