Understanding Special Education: IEP, 504 Plan, RTI & Key Terms
Special Education Key Concepts
Inclusion: Full or part-time education of students with disabilities alongside their non-disabled peers, with necessary supports and services.
504 Plan: Accommodations for students with disabilities, focusing on environmental adjustments rather than curriculum changes (e.g., physical environment accommodations).
IEP (Individualized Education Program): A plan involving specific educational interventions and goals for students with disabilities.
IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan): A plan for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.
LRE (Least Restrictive Environment): The educational setting that is most similar to that of students without disabilities, while still meeting the child’s educational needs. Prioritizes placement with non-disabled peers and in general education settings whenever possible, minimizing segregation.
FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education): Ensures that children between the ages of 3 and 21 receive free and appropriate educational services to meet their needs.
ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act): The replacement for NCLB (No Child Left Behind).
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act): Legislation governing special education and related services.
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act): Guarantees physical access to public facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. Requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.
MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports): A framework for providing targeted support to students based on their individual needs.
RTI Process Steps (Tier 1, 2, 3)
- Tier 1 (Primary Instruction):
- Instruction provided to all students by general education (GE) teachers.
- Instruction is evidence-based.
- General education teachers screen students regularly using quick assessment tools.
- Screening data informs instruction planning.
- Students with reading or math difficulties are monitored.
- Teachers differentiate instruction for struggling learners.
- Tier 2 (Secondary Intervention):
- Secondary intervention for students not progressing adequately in Tier 1.
- Provided in small groups for a fixed duration.
- Tier 2 supplements core instruction from Tier 1.
- Under general education but includes collaboration with special education experts.
- General education teacher frequently monitors student progress.
- Tier 3 (Tertiary Intervention):
- Tertiary intervention for students showing minimal progress during Tier 2.
- Students continue Tier 1 instruction alongside Tier 3 interventions.
- More intense in duration and frequency than Tier 2.
- Typically provided by a specialist.
- May or may not be special education.
- Explicit instruction individually or in very small groups.
- Includes specifically designed and explicitly taught reading curriculum.
- Frequent progress monitoring.
Components of RTI/MTSS
- Screening: A system for identifying students at risk for poor learning outcomes.
- Progress Monitoring: A system for monitoring the effectiveness of supports provided to students.
- School-wide, Multi-Level Prevention System: At least three increasingly intense levels of instructional support:
- Primary Level (Core instruction and curriculum, Tier 1)
- Supplemental Level (Secondary, Tier 2)
- Intensive Level (Tertiary, Tier 3)
- Data-Based Decision Making for:
- Instruction (e.g., who needs assistance, what type of instruction, duration)
- Evaluating effectiveness
- Movement within the multi-level system