Developing IEP Goals and Objectives Based On State Content Standards
Changes in IDEA 97, require that all children have
IEP's with goals and objectives written based upon the core curriculum and state
and district standards. This is being done to improve upon the service delivery
and quality of education provided to children in special education, and to bring
accountability to school districts to ensure that ALL children are learning what
they need to learn to be independent adults. Goals and objectives that “roll
over”, year after year, are not acceptable. Higher expectations and more
accountability is the best interest of all kids!
This is also related to the requirement that all
students in grades 2-11 must take the Stanford 9, or an alternate assessment,
according to state and federal law: (Star: Per SB 376), and the new requirement
that all students wishing to graduate with a high school diploma must take the,
HSEE, High School Exit Exam, beginning in 2004 including students in special
education.
All special education students must be tested in the
state assessment tests, in either one of the categories below: (Parents may sign
a waiver excluding their children from the testing, however, if we do not start
to assess the kids and get a "baseline" to understand where they are
performing, then we will not know if they are learning, or what they are
learning, and then you cannot hold the school district accountable. That is the
purpose of all of the changes in the education laws!)
Group 1-
Students who receive most of their instruction in regular education programs
take the Star exam, with or without accommodations as described in their IEP.
(This would include most students who are "fully included", and in RSP
classrooms, NPS, but not necessarily exclude all students in an SDC, (some of these students may be able to take the exam one
grade level lower, with accommodations). This would need to be determined by the
IEP team).
Group 2-
Students with severe disabilities who are unable to participate in the
district's regular assessment process should be assessed with alternative
approaches consistent with the criteria for measuring learning progress
described in their IEP's. (This would include most students with severe
cognitive disabilities who are currently receiving services in an SDC or an NPS
or even some students fully included in the general education classroom- again
this needs to be determined by the IEP team, but the child must be assessed by
an alternative method, to ensure that the child is learning and progressing, and
that data can be collected to indicate learning for accountability purposes).
In addition to this, all parents should have a basic
understanding of AB 1639 and AB 2X relating to promotion and retention and how
children are identified to receive remediation if they are not learning and
progressing according to the state guidelines on promotion and retention. The
California Dept. of Education, Special Education, includes a link that can be
found here - http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/lr/pr/
ASK
Suggestions to Prepare for an IEP:
1) Print up your school district standards for your
child's grade level, and/ or 1-2 grade levels above or below, (or the grade
level that corresponds to your child’s present level of performance), to help
you have a more clear understanding of how your child's academic goals and
objectives should be written. You also may want to look at the state standards
if you need any comparison or clarification.
2) Also included below, are the Standards from
Vermont, a full inclusion state, where approximately 90% of all kids with
disabilities receive their education in the general education classroom. Their
standards also cover the following: Communication,
Reasoning and Problem Solving, Personal Development, and Civic and Social
Responsibility, which you can use as a guide to help you write and improve
upon your own child's IEP goals and objectives in these specific areas!
Also, a web site that will assist you in
drafting some goals and objectives in the area of social/emotional
communication, and vocational skills
is http://iep4u.com/.
EXAMPLE: Please
remember that if your want your child to learn to develop and improve upon more
appropriate social skills, then you will need to include language in the IEP
that uses the following phrase, “ With typically developing peers…”. In
other words, if you want your child to receive DIS counseling for social skills
development with typical peers, (in an environment that can be generalized to
real life situations), you will need to request and have written in to the IEP,
that the service will take place during recess or lunch, or typical environments
where the activity normally would occur, including the general education
classroom. This will drive the DIS service and facilitation of the social skills
to be learned by your child, in a group setting with typically developing peers.
Ed. Services for MBUSD. This is where you
can find the standards for English, Math, History and Science, as well as other
services and information listed: http://www.manhattan.k12.ca.us/edsvc/edservices.html
For the standards only: http://www.manhattan.k12.ca.us/edsvc/standards/index.html
This is where you can find the State Dept. of
Education Standards:Curriculum
Frameworks:
Content Standards (K-12)
Curriculum Frameworks &
Instructional Materials
You can access the essential standards in
reading, writing and math, that have been identified for mastery in order for
passage of the California High School Exit Exam, by the California
Association of Resource Specialists: These standards range from K-12, but the
ones necessary for mastery of the CAHSEE begin in 4th grade. We have suggested
to parents to download this and take it to KINKO's and have it bound and take it
to your IEP's!
ACSA and CARS+ Handbook
on Goals and Objectives Related to
Essential State of California Content Standards is now available for download
http://www.carsplus.org/publications.html
For students with significant cognitive
disabilities
Core
Curriculum Access California
Content Standards for CAPA
If your child is in PEP, then you should have
received something from the teacher about what the class objectives and goals
will be targeting. You can also print up the Kindergarten standards so that you
are aware of what will be expected of your child next year, and you can compare
that to how your child is currently performing now and throughout the school
year.
To assist you in understanding how children are
identified for remediation in math or reading, we have included information
below related to promotion/retention and remediation programs that must be
provided to children according to law. It is a good idea to become familiar with
your school district’s policy on promotion and retention and what criteria
they are using to identify children for remediation programs.
For parents in MBUSD, Board policies BP 5123, and
AR 5123, (Board Policy and Administrative Regulation re: promotion and retention
and supplemental instruction used to be online, however presently are not
accessible. If and when they become available, we will update these links.
A tip! If
your child is receiving modified grades, and those grades reflect an A, B, or C,
and does not take the Stanford 9 test, then it is possible that your child may
not be properly identified as a child needing remediation in math and /or
reading. It is even possible for your child not to be identified if they take
the Stanford 9 if they receive the modified grades, so it is very important for
you to have a very clear understanding of your child’s reading and levels, and
also a clear understanding of your school district policy on promotion and
retention and how that compares to the state Guidelines for the Promotion and
Retention of Students Receiving Special Education Services.
AB
2X and AB 1639
Questions and Answers
The purpose of this web page is to assist districts in:
- planning supplemental
instructional programs for at-risk students in grades K-6;
- answering the most frequently
asked questions;
- understanding recent
legislation which addresses intensive supplemental instructional programs;
and
- coordinating the various
funding sources for these programs.
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Funding
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Questions
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AB
2X
Intensive Reading Program
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AB
1639
Pupil Promotion/Retention
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How is funding calculated?
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Maximum reimbursement can be calculated as follows:
10% of the prior year K-4 CBEDS enrollment multiplied by 120 hours
multiplied by the summer school funding rate of $2.53 for FY 1999-2000.
Districts will be reimbursed for the number of pupil hours reported
through the normal principal apportionment cycle, using CDE attendance
form J-18/19.
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Maximum reimbursement can be calculated as follows:
5% of prior year grades 2-6 CBEDS enrollment multiplied by 120 hours
multiplied by the summer school funding rate of $2.53 for FY 1999-2000. If
5% of the capped amount for grades 2 - 6 is fully expended, then districts
may claim up to 10%, of the statewide total allocation, if funding is
available.
Funding for grades 7-9 is $2.53 per hour, and there is no cap.
If the funds claimed by school districts exceed the available balance
of the statewide appropriation (10%), and, after the minimum allocation to
eligible districts has been made (5%), the remaining balance will be
prorated based on each district's share of the total additional hours of
instruction offered.
Districts will be reimbursed for the number of pupil hours reported
through the normal principal apportionment cycle, using CDE attendance
form J-18/19.
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Can the same students be served by the Intensive
Reading Program (AB 2X) as well as other summer school, after school, or
Saturday school programs such as AB 1639?
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Pupils may participate in more than one program.
However, districts can be reimbursed only once for each pupil hour of
service. The pupil hours should be reported to the program providing the
service. Otherwise, the district would be receiving two funding sources
for one pupil hour of service, better known as "double dipping."
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How is funding for small school districts calculated?
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The legislation contains provisions (Education Code
Section 42239.2) to fund districts with less than 500 ADA at a higher rate
than $2.53. For 1999-2000 the funding is $4.51. We recommend districts'
business staff use the K-12 Revenue Limit Form, Schedule D, as a guide to
estimate funding for small districts.
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There are no special provisions for small school
districts in this legislation.
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When may districts begin services?
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Districts may begin services as of May 1999 and will
be reimbursed for supplemental instructional programs implemented after
that date.
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AB 1639 took effect on September 29, 1998. Districts
will be reimbursed for supplemental instructional programs implemented
after that date.
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Can districts provide 120 hours of service in FY
1998-99 and another 120 hours of service in FY 1999-2000?
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No. Hours of attendance in the months of May and June
in FY 1998-99 will be counted toward the FY 1999-2000 maximum of 120
hours. This is a one-time 14-month funding cycle.
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Yes. This program has been funded for FY 1998-99 and
will be funded again for FY 1999-2000.
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How can districts maximize their supplemental
instructional program funding to create a coherent program to ensure that
the needs of all identified students are met?
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With these new sources of revenue, districts need to
develop a master plan that mobilizes new and existing resources, such as
Title I and Migrant Education funds, to help ensure that every pupil
reaches grade-level standards. This master plan may also incorporate the
following elements: planning a program of instruction for each student
based on diagnostic information; setting clear academic goals for each
student, and regularly monitoring progress; ensuring the district's best
teachers teach in supplementary instructional programs through
professional incentives and rewards; providing all supplementary
instructional program teachers with staff development to address the needs
of students identified for service; providing both the necessary
facilities and transportation; allowing for various models which
capitalize on existing school programs and resources; and evaluating the
effectiveness of supplementary instructional programs.
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Eligibility
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Questions
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AB
2X
Intensive Reading Program
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AB
1639
Pupil Promotion/Retention
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Which school districts may participate in these
programs?
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All school districts maintaining classes of grades
K-4 are eligible to receive funding to support intensive reading programs.
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All school districts serving grades 2-9 are eligible
to receive funding to support direct, systematic, and intensive
supplemental instruction programs.
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May charter schools participate?
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The Elementary School Intensive Reading Progam is
included in the charter school "categorical block grant."
Therefore, schools participating in the new charter school funding model
(AB 1115) are not eligible to apply for this program. Charter
schools that elect not to participate in the funding model must seek
reimbursement for all provided pupil hours through their sponsoring
district.
For information regarding the charter school funding model, please call
the Charter School Unit, CDE, at (916) 322-6029.
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Assembly Bill 1639 is not included in the
charter school "categorical block grant." Therefore, charter
schools that are part of the new charter school funding model may seek
reimbursement for services provided under this program. Direct-funded
charter schools under the new funding model may apply directly to the
state for reimbursement. All other charter schools, whether participating
in the new funding model or not, must apply for reimbursement through
their sponsoring district.
For information regarding the charter school funding model, please call
the Charter School Unit, CDE, at (916) 322-6029.
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Which students are served?
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First priority must be given to students who are
experiencing difficulty in learning to read.
The program may also provide enrichment opportunities for all students
to increase their reading skills and enhance their enjoyment of reading.
The program may serve students from the time they enter kindergarten
until three calendar months after completing grade 4.
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Students are served in the following priority order:
- Students in grades 2-9
who have been retained may be required to participate in programs of
direct, systematic, and intensive supplemental instruction.
- Students in grades 2-9
who have been recommended for retention or who have been identified as
being at risk of retention may participate.
- Students
in grades 2-6 who have been identified as having a deficiency in
mathematics, reading, or written expression based on the results of
STAR testing may participate.
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Do these programs apply to Special Education students
and English language learners?
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Appropriate support to address the needs of English
language learners may be included in the program.
Special Education students are not excluded in this legislation, which
provides that a school district may provide multiple, intensive, reading
opportunities for pupils in any of, or combination of, K-4, inclusive.
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Special Education students and English language
learners are not excluded. This program may serve all students meeting the
program criteria, regardless of special needs.
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Program
Implementation
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Questions
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AB
2X
Intensive Reading Program
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AB
1639
Pupil Promotion/Retention
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Do districts have to provide a summer school program?
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No. Due to facilities constraints or for other
educational reasons, a school district may offer intensive reading
instruction during the summer, before school, after school, on Saturdays,
during the regular instructional day, or during intersession, or in a
combination of any of the above.
If a district decides to have a summer school program, it can be fewer
than 4 hours per day and less than 6 weeks.
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No. Supplemental instruction programs may be offered
during the summer, after school, on Saturdays, or during intersession, or
in a combination of summer school, after school, Saturday, or
intersessions.
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Can services be provided during the regular
instructional day?
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Yes. Intensive reading instruction is allowed as long
as pupils receive the instruction in their regular classroom from a
certificated employee who is other than the student's regular teacher.
Services must be provided in the regular classroom. Therefore, another
certificated employee may come into the classroom during the regular
instructional day to provide instruction in reading to one student or a
group of students. Language in AB 2X precludes "pullout"
instruction resulting in pupils being removed from their classroom during
the school day.
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No. Services may not be provided during the pupil's
regular instructional day if it would result in the pupil being removed
from classroom instruction in the core curriculum.
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Do districts have to provide 120 hours of instruction
for each student?
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No. The 120 hours is only a multiplication factor
used to determine the district's funding cap.
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Do districts have to provide services to students at
all eligible grade levels?
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Districts may provide a program for pupils in any one
or combination of grades K-4.
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Yes, districts must provide a program for students
who have been retained at each of the designated grade levels.
Districts may provide a program for students at the designated grade
levels who are recommended, or have been identified as being at risk of
retention, or who have low mathematics, reading, or written expression
STAR scores.
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Can districts address content areas other than
reading during this program?
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Only reading can be addressed.
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Yes. For students in grades 2-9, who have been
retained, districts must offer programs of direct, systematic, and
intensive supplemental instruction.
Districts may offer intensive supplemental instruction to students in
grades 2-6 who have been recommended for retention or who have been
identified as being at risk of retention, or who have low STAR scores in
mathematics, reading, or written expression.
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What should districts consider when selecting an
intervention program?
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The program must include the following four
components: the study of organized, systematic, explicit skills, including
phonemic awareness, direct, systematic explicit phonics, and decoding
skills; a strong literature, language and comprehension component with a
balance or oral and written language; ongoing diagnostic techniques that
inform teaching and assessment; and early intervention techniques.
Instruction must be consistent with state standards, the curriculum
frameworks, and the standards for a comprehensive reading instruction
program that is research-based.
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"An intensive remedial program in reading or
written expression shall, as needed, include instruction in phoneme
awareness, systematic explicit phonics and decoding, word attack skills,
spelling and vocabulary, explicit instruction in reading comprehension,
writing, and study skills."
Each school district may seek the active involvement of parents and
classroom teachers in the development and implementation of supplemental
instructional programs provided under this legislation.
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