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A quick video on what special education is, and what I.D.E.A. covers. See here
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Un video rápido sobre qué es la educación especial y qué es I.D.E.A. cubiertas.
This manual provides information about Rutherford's Special Education Department.
Read It HERE
Este manual proporciona información sobre el Departamento de Educación Especial de Rutherford.
Incluye su misión, la información de contacto del equipo de estudio infantil, RTI, detalles sobre el proceso de identificación y evaluación, criterios de elegibilidad y mucho más.
How Important is Parent Involvement During the IEP Process?
How Important is Parent Involvement During the IEP Process?
What the video below to find out.
How to access your child’s IEP Progress Reports in Powerschool:
Go to mobile web based Parent Portal (app will not work): https://powerschool.rutherfordschools.org/public/
Fill in your username & password
Then on the right hand corner under header, click the arrow ↗️ button:
Click on the "Special Services" link
It should prompt you to this section:
"Individual Education Program (IEP)"
Click on the IEP Progress Report Link
Select the progress report you are looking for, or all.
If after clicking the Special Services link, you are not prompted to the parent portal shown above, please give it a day or call the school’s main office that your child goes to. They should help you or ask IT to help you troubleshoot it.
Here is the visual steps in this mini-tutorial.
RTI, 504 Plans, and IEPs: Which Is Right for Your Child?
RTI, 504 Plans, and IEPs: Which Is Right for Your Child?
Navigating the education system can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to determine the best way to support your child.
RTI, 504 Plans, and IEPs are all designed to help, but they each serve different purposes.
Let’s break it down together:
RTI is a proactive, multi-tiered approach schools use to identify and support students with learning or behavioral challenges before they fall significantly behind.
How it works:
All students start in Tier 1, receiving high-quality instruction in the general classroom.
What it entails:
High-quality, research-based teaching practices are implemented school-wide.
Universal screenings are conducted regularly to identify students who may need additional support.
Classroom accommodations, like visual aids or differentiated instruction, are provided as needed to help all students succeed.
Goal: Ensure that most students (typically 80-85%) can succeed with standard instruction and minor adjustments.
If a student struggles, they move to Tier 2, receiving small-group interventions.
Who it’s for: Students who were identified through screening as needing additional support beyond what’s offered in Tier 1 (usually about 10-15% of students).
What it entails:
Small group interventions targeting specific skills (e.g., reading fluency, math problem-solving).
Progress monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions.
Interventions are typically delivered within the general education setting but may involve a specialist.
Goal: Help students catch up to grade-level expectations without the need for special education services.
For persistent difficulties, Tier 3 provides intensive, individualized support.
Who it’s for: Students who show little or no progress in Tier 2 interventions.
What it entails:
One-on-one or very small group interventions tailored specifically to the student’s needs.
Highly specialized instruction delivered by trained professionals, such as reading specialists, speech therapists, or behavior analysts.
Frequent and detailed progress monitoring to determine if adjustments are needed.
Goal: Provide intensive support to address significant learning or behavioral challenges.
Key Points:
RTI is not a special education plan, but it can help determine if further evaluation (e.g., for a 504 Plan or IEP) is necessary.
Parents can request progress updates to ensure interventions are working.
2. What is a 504 Plan?
2. What is a 504 Plan?
A 504 Plan is a legally binding plan which provides accommodations to ensure students with disabilities have equal access to education, as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Who qualifies?
Students with an impairment/disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as learning, walking, or concentrating.
Common examples: ADHD, diabetes, anxiety, or a temporary injury like a broken arm.
Examples of Accommodations:
Extended time on tests.
Preferential seating.
Use of assistive technology.
Key Points:
Unlike an IEP, a 504 Plan does not include specialized instruction.
Parents can request a 504 evaluation by contacting the school counselor or 504 coordinator.
Parents play a part in determining needed accommodations and modifications, along with counselor or coordinator.
3. What is an IEP (Individualized Education Program)?
3. What is an IEP (Individualized Education Program)?
An IEP is also legally binding document, but is under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that provides specialized education and related services tailored to a child’s unique needs.
Who qualifies?
Students with one of 13 eligible disabilities (e.g., autism, specific learning disabilities, speech impairments).
The disability must adversely affect their ability to learn in a general education setting.
What’s included in an IEP?
Specific learning goals and benchmarks.
Details of specialized instruction and related services (e.g., speech therapy, counseling).
Accommodations and modifications to support the child in meeting their goals.
Key Points:
Parents play an essential role in the IEP process, from evaluations to meetings.
An IEP is reviewed annually, and the child’s progress is tracked regularly.
Key Tip: How to Determine What’s Right for Your Child
Key Tip: How to Determine What’s Right for Your Child
Start with Your Child’s Needs: Determine what your child needs are in the classroom and in navigating school. Does your child need accommodations and modifications (504 Plan), intensive support (IEP), or assistance in the material (RTI)?
Diagnosis is Crucial: A medical or educational diagnosis often determines need. If you don’t already have one, you can request an evaluation through your school’s Child Study Team or a private provider.
Collaboration is Key: Build a strong partnership with teachers, counselors, and specialists to ensure everyone understands and supports your child’s needs. Ask questions and understand what your child is struggling with.
Resources for Parents in New Jersey
Resources for Parents in New Jersey
NJ Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN): Offers workshops, tools, and one-on-one guidance for parents navigating RTI, 504 Plans, and IEPs. Visit SPAN’s website.
NJDOE Special Education Page: Provides detailed information on IEPs and state-specific regulations. Visit NJDOE.
Understood - The Difference Between a 504 and an IEP
NJDOE RTI Guidelines: A comprehensive guide to how RTI works in New Jersey schools. Visit NJDOE RTI Page.
Parent Toolkit for RTI: Tips and tools to help parents support their children in an RTI framework. Download Toolkit.
NJ Parents Rights in Special Education, "PRISE" (ENGLISH/ ESPANOL) was developed by the Department of Education and the Office of Special Education Programs to provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date information for Special Education parent and their rights.
The PRISE is periodically revised to reflect changes in the law, provide additional information that would be of use to you, and to provide the information in a more clear and concise manner.
Or
LISTEN to a synopsis of PRISE here
El NJ Parents Rights in Special Education, "PRISE", fue desarrollado por el Departamento de Educación y la Oficina de Programas de Educación Especial para proporcionar la información más completa y actualizada para los padres de educación especial y sus derechos.
El PRISE se revisa periódicamente para reflejar los cambios en la ley, brindar información adicional que pueda resultarle útil y brindar la información de una manera más clara y concisa.
An article on the most often asked questions about special education.
Un artículo sobre las preguntas más frecuentes sobre educación especial.
A free template for parents to utilize and organize the special education team contacts of support for their child.
Una plantilla gratuita para que los padres utilicen y organicen los contactos de apoyo del equipo de educación especial para sus hijos.
Every special education meeting requires a different team to be present & provide feedback to the parent.
Here is an interactive deck detailing who should be in your next meeting, depending on the type of meeting you are attending.
Cada reunión de educación especial requiere que un equipo diferente esté presente y brinde comentarios a los padres.
Aquí hay una plataforma interactiva que detalla quién debería estar en su próxima reunión, según el tipo de reunión a la que asistirá
This is a communication plan template to assist districts & parents with meeting the requirements outlined in the Deaf Student’s Bill of Rights (P.L. 2019, Chapter 204), which indicates that all students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing are to have a communication plan in their IEP or 504 plans.
Esta es una plantilla de plan de comunicación para ayudar a los distritos y a los padres a cumplir con los requisitos descritos en la Declaración de Derechos de los Estudiantes Sordos (P.L. 2019, Capítulo 204), que indica que todos los estudiantes sordos o con problemas de audición deben tener un plan de comunicación en su IEP o planes 504.
Assistive Technology to Use at Home
Assistive Technology to Use at Home
Sometimes our children need a little bit more help. This is where assistive technology can be introduced.
Assistive technology is "any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability."
Depending on your child's needs, it can be a simple software that helps him/her verbally dictate their essay, all the way to reading pens.
Here is a SPAN presentation that dictates in details the many resources you can implement at home to assist your child with writing, reading, mathematics, communication and organization.
A veces nuestros hijos necesitan un poco más de ayuda. Aquí es donde se puede introducir la tecnología de asistencia.
La tecnología de asistencia es "cualquier artículo, equipo o sistema de producto que se utiliza para aumentar, mantener o mejorar las capacidades funcionales de un niño con una discapacidad".
Dependiendo de las necesidades de su hijo, puede ser un software sencillo que le ayude a dictar verbalmente su ensayo, hasta leer bolígrafos.
Aquí hay una presentación de SPAN que dicta en detalle los muchos recursos que puede implementar en casa para ayudar a su hijo según lo que necesita para escribir, leer, comunicar, matematica y organizacion.
The office of NJ Special Education not only enforces the special education laws and creates standards but also provides professional development, technical assistance, coaching, and resources to educators, parents, and other stakeholders across NJ to improve outcomes for students with disabilities, ages three through 21.
La oficina de Educación Especial de Nueva Jersey no solo hace cumplir las leyes de educación especial y crea estándares, sino que también brinda desarrollo profesional, asistencia técnica, capacitación y recursos a educadores, padres y otras partes interesadas en todo Nueva Jersey para mejorar los resultados de los estudiantes con discapacidades, de tres años a 21.
SPAN is committed to children and families with disabilities or special health/mental health needs. They assist in various topics, from economic hardship to child welfare.
SPAN provides individual assistance, workshops, and resources to parents and others within the special education community. All resources are available in languages other than English.
Additional information on what a SEPAG stands for and what makes a successful one.
Información adicional sobre lo que significa SEPAG y qué hace que uno sea exitoso.
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