Laws and support programs: structuring special education

Federal Legislation as a Pillar of Educational Support

The practice of special education has changed dramatically in recent years, and federal legislation has been a critical element.

These laws have been instrumental in establishing the standards for special education services administered by states and local districts.

One of the most important pieces of legislation is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, known by its acronym in English as IDEA.

This law articulates the fundamental principle that every child with a disability has the right to receive an appropriate special education.

Furthermore, the law guarantees that this specialized education must be provided at public expense, at no cost to the students' families.

The current version of this law requires greater involvement of parents and regular classroom teachers in their children's education.

The Individualized Education Program (IEP)

The IDEA also requires that an Individualized Education Program, known as an IEP, be prepared for each student with a disability.

The principle behind the use of IEPs is to give all stakeholders an opportunity to help formulate the program.

This plan is developed by a team that includes parents, teachers, and other specialists, ensuring a collaborative approach to the child's education.

The IEP details the student's specific goals, the services they will receive, and how their progress will be measured, ensuring personalized and appropriate attention.

Response to Intervention (RTI)

Response to Intervention, or RTI, is an approach in which students are identified for services based on more than just tests.

This model is based on a student's ability to benefit from increasingly intensive instruction.

The primary goal of RTI is to provide modifications to instruction or services intensive interventions within the general education classroom before making a referral.

This approach seeks to resolve a student's difficulties