Accommodations
Bee N Bonnet, LLC, is committed to helping your child receive all the accommodations they need to be successful in an educational environment. In order to plan accordingly, specific evaluations and reviewings need to be done. From these evaluations, we will be able to provide the accommodations that your child needs to grow and thrive. This can be a lengthy process and some terms and scoring can be complex, but that’s what I am here for. I will provide clarity and help you make the best decisions for your child. Let’s go over some of the accommodations, planning, and reporting that will take place.
The First Step: Getting an FIE
An FIE is an acronym for a Full and Individual Evaluation. This is the first most important step in the special education process. Your child will be assessed in all areas that are related to the suspected disability. An FIE determines the eligibility, calculates the present levels of academic and functional performance, and influences the Individualized Educational Program (IEP). The FIE will identify your child’s special education and related services needs, regardless of whether they are commonly linked with the disability category your child has been classified under.
Some of the areas that will be evaluated include social and emotional development, functional behavioral analysis, communication skills (writing, speech, language), academic achievement, general intelligence, hearing and vision, and physical health. The scoring and reporting that takes place can vary greatly, which can get confusing and overwhelming for the parents. But there’s no need to worry. That’s where Bee N Bonnet will come in. I will assess the FIE and relate the results to you. I will ensure that you have a clear understanding of what was tested and what your child scored. With this clarity, the IEP can be organized more effectively.
Developing the IEP
Once your child has been evaluated, you will attend a meeting with their school to discuss the action and accommodations that need to be made. I can accompany you to this meeting and ensure that the right questions are being asked and addressed. I will provide whatever level of support that you need. You, the teachers, and staff will write an Individualized Educational Program (IEP), which is a full program of services to help your child. I can help facilitate this planning and make sure that all the needs are being accommodated.
An IEP is a written document that serves as a map that lays out the programs your child needs to make progress and thrive in school. It includes annual and short-term goals that you have for your child, such as getting more comfortable with writing. I can help you choose specific and measurable goals.
Progress Reports
Part of the IEP is describing how your child’s progress will be measured. Once that is clarified in the planning, we can measure the progress your child is making towards their stated annual goals. This will let us know if the plan we created is effective or if adjustments to the accommodations need to be made.
What Is Section 504?
Section 504 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and it’s a federal law that protects the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Essentially, Section 504 requires a school district to provide free appropriate public education (FAPE). The school must create a plan for providing accommodations and other services so the child may participate fully in the school setting. It’s important to know the rights that exist for you and your child, and I am here to help you know about all of the resources and accommodations that are available.