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Education & Schools
What you will find in the pages of this section
Schools and school life have have lasting impacts on children and youth, with or without special health care needs. A child's
educational experience shapes opportunities for future jobs and careers. Federal and state laws and services exist to support
students with special needs so that they have, along with their peers, the opportunity to be successful in their studies.
These pages aim to help parents collaborate with education and medical professionals to assure the best possible educational
experience.
Parent's Guide to School Services
Understanding the school system, laws, policies, and what is available for your child is not easy. The school system has rules for identifying and evaluating students that might be eligible for services. Even if the students are not eligible for additonal services, they may benefit from civil rights laws and health plans. Knowing some of the possibilities will help you ask better questions when you meet with your child's teachers, doctors, and other providers.
Understanding the school system, laws, policies, and what is available for your child is not easy. The school system has rules for identifying and evaluating students that might be eligible for services. Even if the students are not eligible for additonal services, they may benefit from civil rights laws and health plans. Knowing some of the possibilities will help you ask better questions when you meet with your child's teachers, doctors, and other providers.
Definitions & Terms
When you meet with teachers, doctors, and other professionals to talk about options for special education or other school services, you are likely to hear many new terms like IEP, 504, IDEA, LRE, LEA, and FERPA. Knowing what these mean and a little about the laws will help you be a better advocate for your child.
When you meet with teachers, doctors, and other professionals to talk about options for special education or other school services, you are likely to hear many new terms like IEP, 504, IDEA, LRE, LEA, and FERPA. Knowing what these mean and a little about the laws will help you be a better advocate for your child.
FAQ
Doctors, parents, and other providers often have questions about working with the schools such as helping with special education evaluations, finding out about services offered by the school, and requesting accomodations for school meals. The answers and links will help you coordinate efforts with the school.
Doctors, parents, and other providers often have questions about working with the schools such as helping with special education evaluations, finding out about services offered by the school, and requesting accomodations for school meals. The answers and links will help you coordinate efforts with the school.
Forms
Sharing information, requesting information, and requesting accomodations can seem difficult considering privacy laws and the differences between the educational and health care systems. These sample forms will help parents and providers communicate with schools.
Sharing information, requesting information, and requesting accomodations can seem difficult considering privacy laws and the differences between the educational and health care systems. These sample forms will help parents and providers communicate with schools.