Education
Resources About Education
The Arc offers numerous resources to help guide you through the special education process for children, from birth to age 21.
Special education advocacy addresses academic issues of all kinds, supporting families in securing evaluations, developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEP), and determining educational placement. Advocates provide coaching, strategies, and information to empower parents and guardians to advocate for their family member.
Special Education Basics
Special Education
This guide provides a basic introduction to Special Education.Acronyms in Special Education
Refer to this guide to understand acronyms used in special education.Least Restrictive Environments in Special Education and Federal Setting
Students with disabilities must be educated in the least restrictive environment, as defined by law.Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Education Provisions)
Section 504 is a part of a law that makes it illegal to discriminate based on disability.Special Education Complaint System
How to file a complaint if your child is not receiving appropriate special education services.Special Education Evaluations
An evaluation can determine if a student is eligible for special education and related services.Special Education Evaluation Tools
Learn about the variety of tools used for special education evaluations.Special Education for Infants and Toddlers (Birth Through Age 2)
Special education and related services are available to eligible children starting at birth.Special Education Mediation
Mediation is a process to help resolve disagreements about a student’s special education program.Special Education Paraprofessional Aides
An aide, or paraprofessional, can help students with disabilities learn and participate.Special Education Testing Terms
How to understand terms and scoring systems used in special education testing.Minnesota State Testing for Students Receiving Special Education
State testing is used to make sure all educational programs meet standards.Classroom Support
Assistive Technology
Some students receiving special education services may need Assistive Technology.Bullying and Harassment
Learn what parents and school districts can do to prevent bullying.Extended School Year Services
Special education services provided to eligible students during school breaks.Functional Behavior Assessment
An assessment to understand the reasons for a student’s behavior.Manifestation Determination Review
This review happens when a school wants to change a student’s classroom or school building because of behavior.Suspension and Manifestation Determination
Specific guidelines for discipline for students with disabilities.Health & Medical
Administering Medication in School
Learn about school district policies on administering medications in schools.Individualized Health Care Plan
An Individualized Health Care Plan can help address health care needs during the school day.Medical Diagnosis vs. Eligibility for Special Education Services
How to understand the difference between medical and educational evaluations.Individual Education Plan (IEP)
Independent Educational Evaluation
Parents and guardians can request an independent evaluation for a student with disabilities.Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
A written plan for students with disabilities receiving special education.Individualized Education Program (IEP) Supplemental Aids and Supports
An IEP may include a classroom aide, assigned seating, or other supports.Facilitated Individualized Education Program Meeting
A meeting led by a neutral professional to improve Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).Parent Participation in an IEP Meeting
Parents or guardians have the right to fully participate in IEP meetings.Prior Written Notice
School staff must give parents and guardians written notice of their decisions.Related Services in Special Education
Related services focus on assisting a student with a disability to benefit from special education.Requesting an Initial Special Education Evaluation
Parents can request evaluations to understand how their child is doing in school.Scheduling an IEP Meeting
Parents and guardians can schedule meetings to understand their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).Transition from High School
Graduation for Students Receiving Special Education Services
Learn about graduation requirements for students with disabilities.Transition Checklist
What to consider as a student prepares to transition from school to adult life.Transition Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
Starting in ninth grade, a student’s IEP must address their transition from school to adult life.How Do I Get More Information?
For more information, call The Arc at 952.920.0855 or toll-free at 833.450.1494, or submit your question to Ask An Advocate.