Understanding the Basics of Special Education Law
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Each year, students who suffer from disabilities and are in need of special education receive a substantial amount of financial support from the federal government. The most common learning disabilities received services through IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) programs and provide billions of dollars to educate students with learning disabilities. This includes approximately one out of every three children who attend public schools in America.
Of course, not all disabilities can be diagnosed. In fact, only one out of ten students with learning disabilities are even tested on a regular basis to determine their intellectual and physical disabilities. In addition, many students with disabilities do not meet minimum academic standards required by most community colleges and universities. These children may have normal intelligence but may lack the academic ability to attend college. This represents approximately two-thirds of all students receiving some sort of special education.
The majority of students who receive IEP funding are eligible for the assistance when they are enrolled in elementary or secondary schools. However, there are also several areas where children with disabilities can qualify for educational services. Some children have disabilities that make it difficult for them to speak or to perform basic functions. For example, deaf children who are being home schooled may qualify for this type of funding. Or, they may have a learning disability that causes them to have difficulty with language.
Other students, especially those with intellectual disabilities, may not be able to meet the educational standards required to receive some types of special education. Students may need special education in some or all of the areas of special education under IEP and have learning disabilities that make it difficult for them to learn and understand complex concepts.
When a child has a learning disability, it may be easy to assume that it is the only type of disability that they have. However, this is not always the case. Many children are able to perform activities like dress up or use the restroom and engage in other daily activities with a great deal of success, but because of their learning disability, they cannot understand or apply these skills.
The symptoms of a learning disability should be evaluated by a qualified health care professional to determine if there are any physical symptoms as well as any behavioral or social deficits that may require additional specialized instruction. There are also many types of learning disorders that do not involve physical impairments but may still result in significant problems in everyday life for a child. Such conditions include dyslexia, which causes difficulty with reading or writing, and problem-solving; dyscalculia, which causes a child to have trouble with measurements and proportions; and much more. As well, a learning disability can also be an indication of autism or another neurological disorder.
To be eligible for special education, a child with a learning disability must demonstrate that he or she meets the basic academic requirements of a public school district. A qualified evaluation will be given by the child’s school psychologist, a special needs teacher, or some other qualified professional. It is important for parents to have a plan for their child’s continued education after his or her first year of schooling if the child is able to continue their education without trouble.
Special education is something every family should consider for every student with a learning disability. Even though every child with a learning disability is different, the vast majority of students with learning disabilities will be able to attend school successfully if they are given the proper level of attention.
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