2023 Back-to-School Tips
- ** Acronyms that will help you understand Special Education language and services.
- ** Alternatives to Public Schools – introductory information developed by Comfort Connection Family Resource Center
- Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is a plan to help children whose problem behavior in school is affecting their learning. An article from Child Mind answers 3 basic questions: What is a BIP? How is a BIP created? How can parents tell if the plan is working?
- Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) and Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) A collection of resources for parents and professionals; 1) Basic Good Reads on FBAs and BIPs, 2) Webinars, Presentations, and Videos, and 3) Webpages. Many resources are provided in Spanish.
- **California Department of Education – Special Education
- **California Preschool Learning Foundations created by the California Department of Education provides a curriculum for preschool children.
- **Deaf Students Education Services as outlined by the Office for Civil Rights.
- **Equal Access to Athletics for Students with Disabilities as discussed by the Office of Civil Rights.
- **A Guide to the Individualized Education Program provided by the U.S. Department of Education
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides two videos: one helps you navigate the federal OSERS webpage and the many resources listed there; the second helps you access the IDEA statute and regulations.
- **Office for Civil Rights ensures equal access to education through vigorous enforcement of civil rights
- Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) provides a list of low-cost or free attorneys and advocates for Special Education to assist in preparation for a Special Education case before the OAH.
- ** Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) provides links to all school districts in Orange County.
- **OCDE College and Career Preparatory Academy may provide an alternative to Adult Transition Programs for students 18+ who are leaving high school but do not have a diploma.
- Parent Guide to 504 plans and IEPS what they are and how they’re different
- Schools Near You. Look up public schools and school districts by address or ZIP code. Find out what school district you are in and what school you are zoned for by exploring school boundary maps.
- The Special EDge is a free newsletter of the California Dept. of Education’s Special Education Division designed to inform and support parents.
- **Special Education Rights & Responsibilities (SERR) Manual is an in-depth manual for parents on special education law.
- TASK – Team of Advocates for Special Kids can review IEP documents, provide youth programs for building social and self-advocacy skills, recommend assistive technology solutions, and offer referrals, call us at (866) 828-8275 for more information. Prerecorded webinars are also available
- Working Together Series from CADRE. These courses provide families and educators with a number of strategies for working together and through conflict, e. g. school meeting or IEP.
- **Wrightslaw provides accurate and reliable information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities.
Inclusion
- Inclusion: 10 Essential Articles selected by Think Inclusive to give a better understanding of inclusive education.
- National Professional Development Center on Inclusion works with states to ensure that early childhood teachers are prepared to educate and care for young children with disabilities in settings with typically developing peers.
- **Quality Indicators of Inclusive Early Childhood Programs/Practices developed by The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC).
Parent Training
- California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) provides training to assure that people with developmental disabilities receive the services and supports they need.
- Center for Autism and Neuro-developmental Disorders routinely offers workshops on special education and IEP development with a focus on students with autism.
- ** Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK) provides training to families regarding their rights and responsibilities regarding special education law