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	What does the acronym I.E.P. stand for?		Individualized Educational Program.
	What does the acronym I.D.E.I.A. stand for?		Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act.
	Why does my child not qualify for Extended School Year (ESY) services?		ESY services are offered to students that exhibit significant academic regression and are not able to recoup their skills in a reasonable amount of time. This determination is based upon documentation that is recorded after breaks from the school year (such as summer vacation, school vacations, etc.).
	If my child receives special education services, why don't they receive academic support in all curriculum areas?		Special education service delivery is based upon the child's disability and how it affects each curriculum area. For example if a student has a Specific Learning Disability in Math they would not qualify for support in all academic areas - only the area that is a documented disability.
	How can you ensure that my child will succeed in MCAS?		We offer students specific accommodations that they need based upon their individual disability and how it affects them within the classroom setting and standardized testing schedule. We offer these specific accommodations based upon information that we know about their learning style. All students receive specific accommodations that are allowed through the Massachusetts Department of Education.
	What is the difference between an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) and a 504 Plan (504)?		An IEP is developed for a student with a documented disability that is not making effective progress within the classroom setting and requires specially designed instruction in order to learn. An IEP is a Special Education document. An IEP includes different service providers based upon the documented disability and how it affects a student accessing the curriculum across their school day. A 504 Plan is a general education plan that includes accommodations that students require because their documented disability affects a major life activity.
	Does my child have to attend study/compensatory skills class?		In order for your child to continue to receive special education services, he/she must have a direct service on his/her IEP. Oftentimes, the only direct service on a student's IEP is study/compensatory skills class.
	How is my child with special needs assessed to determine his/her grade?		Many different methods are used to measure a student’s understanding of the curriculum. Paper and pencil tests in the classroom are no longer the sole basis of determining a grade. It is necessary to take into consideration the student’s strengths, preferred learning style and the concept of multiple intelligences when delivering information and assessing students’ understanding of material. For example, a student with an auditory processing deficit would not benefit from a classroom environment in which the teacher constantly lectures. In order for this student to gain understanding of the curriculum, these lectures may be supported with various visuals, hands-on activities or the chance to complete projects that may be more suited to their preferred learning style.
	How long will my child need special education services?		There is no general timeline for the length of time a student receives services. Each student who is identified as being eligible for special needs services, receives an Individualized Educational Program. This program is reviewed at least annually. Progress reports on the student's progress or lack thereof, are sent with each report card. Under all circumstances, our goal and mandate is to provide education in the least restrictive environment (LRE). Annually, we review how we can better provide the LRE, which in some cases is achieving all goals and accessing the curriculum without specialized services; that is, the student no longer requires an IEP. For some students, an IEP will always be required, but the annual discussion of LRE is always a critical part of the annual review.
	How often are students evaluated when they're on an Individualized Educational Program?		Students are evaluated every three years, and there is a review meeting at least once per year. The students also receive written progress reports based on the goals in the IEP with every report card.
	How long will they receive services?		IEPs are written for a year. At the end of the year, the student's progress will be reviewed to determine the need for continued services.
	What will happen if my child still needs services when they go to the middle school?		Services will continue as long as your child needs them in the middle school and high school.
	When will we plan for the middle school for my child?		In late winter or early spring, a team meeting will be held to discuss transition to the middle school, and the placement and services being recommended. A representative from the middle school will attend this team meeting.
	How do I get my son/daughter back on an IEP?		This question is usually in response to poor or failing grades. We need to go through the process of determining eligibility. If recent testing was done, it would not need to be repeated, but we would need to get current information about student performance in classes and other relevant information. If testing was done years ago, updated testing will need to be done to address the issues of concern, along with gathering current information on the student. Then a meeting would be convened to discuss the concerns, review the findings of testing, and make a determination of eligibility. The student's lack of effective progress and eligibility must be linked to the student's disability.
	Will my child receive special education services forever?		That decision varies with each child, each year. Some children require services throughout their school careers, while other children are able to learn strategies that help them overcome their specific disabilities and make effective progress without the continued assistance of specialized instruction.
	Does my child's IEP follow him/her to college?		Students' IEPs end on or before graduation from high school. However, students who have required accommodations on an ongoing basis in high school may access needed accommodations in college via a 504 Plan. [Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 provides accommodations to eligible students in college and eligible employees in the workplace.] In order to access accommodations, students will need to meet with the disability services provider at college and supply copies of testing that is no more than three years old.

	Frequently A sked Questions