Special Education

What is Special Education?

The term “special education” means specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. At no cost to parents, special education provides additional services, support, programs, specialized placements or environments to ensure that all students’ educational needs are met.

Support and services are provided in the least restrictive environment and the special education curriculum addresses the Texas Essential Knowledge and skills (TEKS) mandated by the state for all students in Texas. An Admission, Review and Dismissal Committee (ARDC) or (ARD) individualizes the specific curriculum objectives, instructional accommodations, mastery level and location of services for each student based on the impact of the student’s disability on his/her ability to progress in the state curriculum. The University of Texas-University Charter School Special Education Department believes all students can achieve; therefore, we are committed to identifying and meeting the diverse needs of each student through individualized educational programming. It is our mission to work cooperatively with families, students, community, colleagues, and other professionals in order to promote each student’s success and well-being as he/she prepares for future endeavors.

UT-UCS Special Education Department

The University of Texas – University Charter School provides specially designed instructional supports and services for students with disabilities eligible for special education services. Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are developed for each eligible student. A full range of supports are available on every campus. Support and services are provided in the least restrictive environment and to help students with disabilities access the Texas Essential Knowledge and skills (TEKS) mandated by the state for all students in Texas. An Admission, Review and Dismissal Committee (ARDC) or (ARD) individualizes the specific curriculum objectives, instructional accommodations, mastery level and location of services for each student based on the impact of the student’s disability on his/her ability to progress in the state curriculum.

Questions regarding programs and services can be directed to Dr. Nicole Whetstone at

nwhetstone@austin.utexas.edu

All children have the right to an education provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, and without charge. The quality of the education for the special education student must be commensurate with that of the regular education student and must meet the state standards of the Texas Education Agency.

The Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), revised in 2004, includes four major components:

Free and appropriate public education, including related services that can range from speech therapy to transportation and health screenings;
A least restrictive environment (LRE);
An Individualized Educational Program (IEP);
Due process procedures for parents, guardians, and children.

Child Find

The purpose of Child Find is to locate, identify and evaluate children from birth to 21 years of age with disabilities and their possible need for special education and related services. Child Find is a free referral and information service available to local education agencies and Education Service Center Region 13.

Children learn at different rates but some children have significant difficulty in one or more of the following areas: social interaction, play, speech and language, vision, hearing, attention, behavior, or coordinating movements. We’re here to help you access services to meet the unique learning needs of your child. If you are concerned that your child may be learning, playing or interacting differently from others, please call the special education department of your local education agency or ESC Region 13 staff listed below.

Resources

The intent of the IDEA is for children with disabilities to be educated with their peers who do not have disabilities to the maximum extent possible. IDEA (2004) specifically states that:

“To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are not disabled, and special classes, separate schooling, or other removals of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.” [Section 612(a)(5)(A)]

Individual Education Plan

Each of our special education students has an Individual Education Plan (IEP). The plan specifies the services that will be provided for the student, including the length of services and the venue in which they will be delivered. The IEP clearly states the child’s current levels of academic achievement and functional performance. It states the goals for the coming year and consistently monitors individual progress. These services and guidelines are determined jointly by the ARD committee which consists of school professionals and the parent or guardian.

Due Process Procedures

TEA designed the Special Education Dispute Resolution Handbook to assist parents, school officials, and other interested parties with understanding TEA’s special education dispute resolution system. The handbook contains information about the due process hearings program including FAQs. It is not intended to be legal advice. If you need legal advice about a special education matter you should contact a private attorney. The Special Education Dispute Resolution Handbook is also available in Spanish.

Parents are notified of the time and place for the annual review. A parent is not legally bound to attend the meeting, but we at the University Charter School do everything we can to ensure that they have the opportunity to be present. Notice is given of each evaluation instrument, procedure, test, record, or report the school has used as basis for changes in the IEP. If the parent or guardian needs help in understanding the instruments or procedures, they are welcome to meet with us. They may also seek outside help if they wish.

Transition

Transition services and activities must be included in the development of the IEP no later than the first IEP to be in effect when the student turns 14, or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP Team, and must include appropriate measurable post-secondary goals based upon age appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and where appropriate, independent living skills.

Transition services and activities (including courses of study) needed to assist the student in reaching post-secondary goals must be based on the individual student’s needs, strengths, preferences, and interests and must include instruction, related services, community experiences, employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.

A student with a disability must be invited to attend their IEP meeting whenever postsecondary goals and transition services are considered. Upon reaching the age of majority (age 18 in Texas), the parental rights transfer to the adult student. With the consent of the parent or adult student, a representative of any participating agency that is likely to be responsible for providing or paying for transition services must also be invited to attend the IEP meeting.

Finally, prior to graduation from secondary school, the student must be provided with a summary of academic achievement and functional performance, including recommendations for assistance the student may need to meet their post-secondary goals.

For information and resources about secondary transition and post-school results visit Transition in Texas at www.transitionintexas.org.

Transition Planning in Texas: Fast Facts for Parents (English)

Transition Planning in Texas: Fast Facts for Parents (Spanish)