How Parents Can Get Special Education Services for Students

We all wish the best for our children; therefore, we want them to do well at school. But sometimes, despite all our efforts, children may start falling behind. What can we do if this happens? How can parents help a child who is struggling at school? The very first thing parents should do is to try and determine the reasons. It is very important to understand why your child lags behind at school because it may be necessary to consider special education.

Recent NCES study found that 14% of all public school students, which equals 7 million, now receive special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Such a high proportion illustrates that although parents want their children to do well at school, they can’t always resolve the education-related challenges on their own. They need extra support from school or university staff, and they can get it.

Q. What is Special Education?

At times, parents can improve the grades of their children simply by providing some additional explanations or homework assistance. Access to technologies that make the educational process more efficient also may be helpful. But in many cases, only special education services can help students stop lagging behind. The concept of special education has been introduced as a means to address individual needs and differences of specific students. Thanks to it, those who have one or more disabilities that affect their studying can use adapted equipment and materials, participate in learning in accessible settings, and visit the school in accordance with the individually planned arrangement of teaching procedures. Depending on circumstances, children with disabilities may qualify for either IEP (individualized education program) or 504 educational plans. If the school district can’t address student’s needs adequately, it may offer placement in a special school or program as an alternative.

Law suggests that every student’s IEP is unique. It contains information about the level of academic achievement and overall performance, sets specific annual goals, lists special education and related services, and measures progress. With an IEP, your kid may learn apart from typically-developing peers during some part of the day. As for 504 plans, they ensure that children with special needs receive additional support in the context of a regular classroom. For instance, they may have some extra time to work on tests or homework, they can receive aid in the classroom, or they can use special keyboards for notetaking. Both IEPs and 504 plans eventually enable students with disabilities to succeed. So what can you do to help your child receive individualized educational services?

Getting It for Your Child

Not every student who is struggling at school is eligible for special education programs and services under IDEA. This law lists 13 different disability categories under which children may be found eligible. These include autism, deafness, deaf-blindness, developmental delay, emotional disturbance, and intellectual disability among others. As for the rest, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act will not protect them, and parents should look for viable alternatives on their own. For instance, they may consider hiring a tutor or they can help their child find a professional team of essay helpers. Even if your children fall behind at school because of circumstances that are not related to IDEA disabilities, this is not the reason to punish them. Instead, you should equip them with additional resources. Online expert help can be very helpful here. It will not only significantly improve your child’s grades but also provide additional explanations and high-quality examples your child needs so much. Every special education student may need such assistance at times because too challenging assignments should not become obstacles for them. They should find out they still can win no matter how challenging the circumstances are. It is just about finding the right resources.

Parents of children with disabilities listed in IDEA can and should demand special education in public schools. Upon noticing that their kids are struggling, they should contact the school and request an evaluation process. During the evaluation, children pass different tests. Upon parents’ consent, school representatives and qualified professionals observe them and collect various health and education-related information. They also document parents’ ideas about children’s school experiences and needs. And if the child is found eligible under IDEA, responsible school representatives write and implement an IEP upon parents’ written agreement. In addition to individual learning arrangements, the school may suggest valuable related services. For instance, children can receive access to occupational therapy or speech and language services.

There Are Always Options

Even if your child struggles at school, this is not the reason for a panic attack. Instead, equip yourself with knowledge and go help your kid. We hold the responsibility for our children; therefore, we should not wait until school representatives contact us. Upon noticing any struggles, we should reach out and ask for help. Special education can become a really good option because it effectively addresses every child’s individual needs. It makes modern classrooms truly inclusive and protects equal access to high-quality education for everyone disregarding any possible disabilities.