Description
Special Education Rule Changes for Adverse Effect and Functional Skills
Jennifer Patenaude, M.A.
The Vermont Special Education Rules include significant changes in language and expectations related to identifying an adverse effect on educational performance when determining eligibility for special education. Understanding these changes will be essential for special education teams when deciding eligibility and developing an IEP that appropriately reflects both academic and non-academic needs of a learner. This workshop will offer clarification and guidance on how to consistently implement these new rules.
In Session #1, participants will:
- Gain an understanding of changes in the special education regulations regarding adverse effect and the addition of functional skills as a basic skill area.
- Define what is meant by ‘functional skills’ and discuss examples across grade levels.
- Identify sources of information that demonstrate an adverse effect, including functional skills.
- Collaboratively develop a resource to support the determination of an adverse effect on educational performance and need for special education in the area of functional skills.
In Session #2, participants will:
- Consider the new ‘thread’ of special education for determining a need for special education in the area of functional skills.
- Practice developing IEPs that thread the impact of disability on functional skills through present levels of performance, services, and measurable goals/objectives.
- Use a case study to apply new learning.
- Plan for the implementation of these rule changes in one’s own setting.
