IDEA/Special Education

Formally recognized through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ("IDEA"), special education is mandated under federal law for students with disabilities. In order to qualify for special education services, students with a disability must require instruction that is particularly customized to meet their unique needs as it pertains to their disability. 

Cleveland ISD Special Education:                                                        https://www.clevelandisd.org/departments/student-services/special-education-staff

Parent Guide to the ARD Process:   https://www.spedtex.org/default/assets/File/Feb%202021%20ARD%20Guide.pdf

Procedural Safeguards:            https://www.spedtex.org/default/assets/File/Feb%202021%20Pro_Safeguards_ENG.pdf

Information on Disabilities:                                                                                  https://www.spedtex.org/index.cfm/parent-resources/disabilities/

STAAR and Student Success Initiative:                                                             https://www.spedtex.org/index.cfm/parent-resources/staar-student-success-initiative/

IDEA Advocacy:                                                                                                  https://www.spedtex.org/index.cfm/parent-resources/special-education-advocacy/

504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ("504") prohibits agencies that receive federal funding from discriminating against persons with disabilities as a result of their disability. In essence, it is a civil rights law that, in addition to the other laws passed by the U.S. Department of Education detail how Section 504 mandates should be enacted. Under 504, schools are to provide equal educational opportunities for all students, with appropriate accommodations being provided to eligible students with disabilities on the classroom level. Students can not be actively obstructed from equal access or benefit from a school's programs, activities, whether they be in the classroom, extracurricular, or non-academic in nature. 

Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/504-resource-guide-201612.pdf

Cleveland ISD 504 Newsletter:                                   https://s3.amazonaws.com/scschoolfiles/1803/504_newsletter.pdf

FAQ's from the Department of Education:                                     https://www2.ed.gov/print/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-504faq-201109.html

Legal Information:                                                                                        https://www2.ed.gov/policy/rights/reg/ocr/edlite-34cfr104.html