Questions and Answers
Working Together To Ensure All Students Learn and Feel a True Sense of Belonging.
Topics for Administrators and Staff
Can a Para-Educator implement lesson plans? If so, how?
Question: Is a supported study hall specialized instruction?
Question: When must parents receive a final copy of the IEP?
Question: Can a Para-Educator implement lesson plans? If so, how?
Answer: A para-educator can implement instruction designed by qualified professionals and must have on-going supervision when implementing instruction. Prior to engaging in instruction para-educators should know the components of the educational program for the student with whom they work; they should what the child is to be taught and how a child is to be taught. Para-educators will need to know:
- the objective or purpose of the lesson
- description of the materials to be used
- information on how to instruct
- suggestions for grouping students
- suggestions for how to respond to correct or incorrect answers
- information about how to evaluate student progress.
It is important that para-educators have an understanding of good teaching methods: modeling, demonstrating, holding class discussions, practicing, using guided discovery, conducting experiments, using mult-media technology, employing questions, handling manipulative materials, using games, and giving corrective feedback.
Question: If a student is found eligible under Gate 1 and 2, don’t we have to provide the child with services to address the basic skill deficit?
Answer: The student must meet all 3 Gates of Eligibility to qualify for services. Just because a student exhibits a basic skill deficit does not mean the student needs a specialized education program. Each team needs to look at the Educational Support System within the building and ask the question, can the student’s needs be addressed in some other manner? Also, a basic skill deficit may not be having an adverse effect on the student’s performance. You have to look beyond the test scores and look at other areas of the student’s educational program.
Question: Does a student found eligible for Speech and Language automatically receive Speech and Language services?
Answer: No, again, the student needs to meet all 3 Gates. The team needs to look at the needs and can the needs be addressed by someone other than an SLP. There is no automatic service provided in any case, the 3 Gates always apply. This is particularly true regarding language needs.
Question: Is a supported study hall specialized instruction?
Answer: Study halls are not considered specialized instruction. Supported, meaning having an adult to work with the student to complete homework assignments is an accommodation or considered a supplement to the class, but not specialized instruction.
Question: When must parents receive a final copy of the IEP?
Answer: Parents must receive a final copy of the IEP, they shall receive prior notice 10-14 days before implementing IEP services. Parents must have a final copy of the IEP prior to implementation of services. Example: JD’s IEP is due February 14.To ensure prior written notice, the IEP meeting should occur no later than January 25, to allow the team to meet, write the IEP, and offer it to the parents. The final copy should be mailed no later than February 4, to give parents ample time to receive and review the IEP prior to initiation of services on February 14.
Possible solution is to come to a meeting with a draft IEP and discuss changes of the working document. When all of the changes have been addressed, the LEA can offer the document as the final copy of the IEP. You can then inform the parent that you will type the document to look neater, but that the document they have is the final IEP.