Special Education
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Evaluations/ARDS
-
Can my child still be referred for a special education evaluation?
Each school’s referral committee will work with parents to schedule a referral meeting at a mutually agreed upon date and time. Meetings will continue to be conducted virtually through Google Meets conferences.
-
How do I give consent for a special education evaluation?
The case manager or school counselor will send an electronic version of the Notice and Consent for Evaluation form through the eSped collaboration portal. A parent may either download, sign, print, scan, and email the form back or electronically sign the document.
-
How will Special Education evaluations be completed if my child is participating in Remote Learning?
Appointments will be made to bring the student into the school for special education testing. District safety health and hygiene practices will be followed.
-
What if I do not want to bring my child to an On Campus assessment?
If you choose not to bring your child to campus for an evaluation and the evaluation cannot be completed through other means, the Acknowledgement of Evaluation delay will need to be completed.
-
How can I participate in my child’s ARD meeting?
All ARDs will be held via Google Meets video or phone conference to limit exposure to committee members and campus Special Education students attending school On Campus.
IEPs
-
How will Remote Learning for Special Education be different in 2020-2021 compared to what Wylie ISD offered in the spring of 2020?
Remote Learning across Wylie ISD will differ compared with last spring’s Online Learning. Information can be found on the Back to School Website, Comparing Options page.
Each student’s IEP will reflect an individualized Remote Learning plan. Students receiving special education services will be included in the requirements for asynchronous and synchronous learning as appropriate for each student as determined by the ARD Committee to provide FAPE. Teachers and staff are being trained in remote learning techniques, materials, and use of technology to be able to better meet the needs of students with special education services. Teletherapy options will also be available.
-
What will my student’s IEP look like if I select Remote Learning?
A review ARD will be held before school begins or no later than during the first 3 weeks of school for all students whose parents request Remote Learning. The IEP will be reviewed and revised based upon the student’s individual needs in the Remote Learning environment.
-
What if I decide to change to Remote Learning during the school year or the campus is forced to close due to COVID-19?
A Remote Learning Supplement/Contingency Plan will be developed for ALL students and will become a part of the IEP. Therefore, ALL students will have a plan for both On Campus and Remote Learning for the 2020-2021 school year.
Services & Supports
-
How will students who receive Remote Learning receive Related/Support Services?
Currently, students in full-time Remote Learning can attend their related/support service sessions (speech, OT, PT, etc) at the provider scheduled time on campus or can elect to receive their services through Remote Learning (teletherapy) if appropriate.
-
How will student specific adaptive equipment, communication devices, assistive technology, and/or accommodations be provided in Remote Learning?
Student specific adaptive equipment, communication devices, assistive technology, and/or accommodations as specified in a student’s IEP and determined necessary to provide FAPE will be provided for Remote Learning. Contact your student’s case manager with any questions.
-
Can students still attend walk-In Speech Therapy?
As with all other services, parents may elect an On Campus or Remote Learning option for walk-in speech therapy services.
-
How will inclusion support be implemented through Remote Learning?
During Remote Learning, special education personnel will support the general education teachers in building a classroom community, help with the newly established routines and procedures, collaborate on instruction, implement the contingency plan/supplement, promote student engagement, and/or develop virtual activities with the teacher.
-
How will special education students who are accessing an alternate curriculum be instructed through Remote Learning?
The schedule for classes will parallel the schedule for students receiving On Campus instruction as much as possible and appropriate for the grade/curriculum content for the student. Direct instruction may be supplemented with activities which can be completed by the student in addition to the synchronous instruction. Some students accessing an alternate curriculum will need the support of a parent/caregiver to participate in online instructional activities. For students in grades PPCD-2, asynchronous learning activities and instruction will be provided.
Wylie ISD staff have been working with the different learning programs to determine effective implementation during Remote Learning. Many of the programs/resources used in alternate curriculum have a Remote Learning component. Teachers will be trained in using the programs to conduct Remote Learning lessons in August.
-
How are vision and hearing services going to be provided during the Remote Learning instruction?
Hearing and vision teachers will support access to communication and participation in Remote Learning for students with hearing and visual impairments. Services will range from collaboration and consultation with teachers to real-time, multimedia interaction with families and students. Additionally, hearing and vision teachers will work with classroom teachers and case managers regarding the expectations for presentation of instructional materials. They will also assist families to understand how to implement appropriate accommodations such as closed captioning, educational interpreting services, as well as auditory and visual supports in the online environment.
-
Can I access behavior support for my child at home during the Remote Learning option?
Emotional Behavioral Support Staff are available to provide behavioral intervention support as needed in the Remote Learning environment. This includes assisting teachers with incorporating behavioral best practices in the Remote Learning environment, consulting and collaborating with parents/guardians as needed on behavioral strategies to support Remote Learning in the home environment, and providing district training and resources for supporting the learning environment incorporating behavioral best practices.
-
Will Wylie ISD provide support for parents of students in special education during Remote Learning?
Wylie ISD will provide resources for parents of students with disabilities to support parents and students in Remote Learning. Resources will include but are not limited to: visual supports as needed, social stories for struggling students, and live help sessions for individual issues that may arise.
Considerations for On Campus vs. Remote Learning
-
When making your decision, you might consider the following:
- Will your child be more successful when offered shorter, diverse activities that engage them through hands-on learning?
- Will your child require a larger amount of your time and energy when it comes to supporting remote learning?
- Can your child maintain a daily routine with your guidance?
- Are you and your child comfortable with using technology tools to access learning?
- What is in your child’s best interest for health and safety?