Questions & Answers - Topics for Administrators and Staff
Severe Discrepancy - Questions and Answers
Question: Can a Para-Educator implement lesson plans? If so, how?
Answer: A para-educator can implement instruction designed by qualified professionals and must have on-going supervision when implementing instruction. Prior to engaging in instruction para-educators should know the components of the educational program for the student with whom they work; they should what the child is to be taught and how a child is to be taught. Para-educators will need to know:
the objective or purpose of the lesson
It is important that para-educators have an understanding of good teaching methods: modeling, demonstrating, holding class discussions, practicing, using guided discovery, conducting experiments, using mult-media technology, employing questions, handling manipulative materials, using games, and giving corrective feedback.
Question: If a student is found eligible under Gate 1 and 2, don’t we have to provide the child with services to address the basic skill deficit?
Answer: The student must meet all 3 Gates of Eligibility to qualify for services. Just because a student exhibits a basic skill deficit does not mean the student needs a specialized education program. Each team needs to look at the Educational Support System within the building and ask the question, can the student’s needs be addressed in some other manner? Also, a basic skill deficit may not be having an adverse effect on the student’s performance. You have to look beyond the test scores and look at other areas of the student’s educational program.
Question: Does a student found eligible for Speech and Language automatically receive Speech and Language services?
Answer: No, again, the student needs to meet all 3 Gates. The team needs to look at the needs and can the needs be addressed by someone other than an SLP. There is no automatic service provided in any case, the 3 Gates always apply. This is particularly true regarding language needs.
Question: Is a supported study hall specialized instruction?
Answer: Study halls are not considered specialized instruction. Supported, meaning having an adult to work with the student to complete homework assignments is an accommodation or considered a supplement to the class, but not specialized instruction.
Question: When must parents receive a final copy of the IEP?
Answer: Parents must receive a final copy of the IEP, ASAP, to be more exact, they should receive prior notice 7-10 days before implementing IEP services. Parents must have a final copy of the IEP prior to implementation of services. Example: JD’s IEP is due February 14. A meeting is held on February 4, the LEA offers the IEP and parents are given prior notice with a final IEP within 7-10 days. In this case, the final copy of the IEP should be given to parents no later than February 7th.
Possible solution is to come to a meeting with a draft IEP and discuss changes of the working document. When all of the changes have been addressed, the LEA can offer the document as the final copy of the IEP. You can then inform the parent that you will type the document to look neater, but that the document they have is the final IEP.
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