Introduction to the 2009 Special Education Rights Guide

1. Introduction to the 2009 Special Education Rights Guide Deb Kunz Andrew Eulass Illinois State Board of Education Illinois Parent Leadership Development Conference September 22, 2009

2. Overview of the 2009 Guide • Released on June 22, 2009 (currently available at: http://www.isbe.net/spec-ed/html/parent_rights.htm ) • Serves as a replacement of the 2001 “The Educational Rights of Students With Disabilities”

3. The Parent Task Force • Process of rewriting the Guide begins in 2007 with the formation of the Parent Task Force on Accessible Educational Materials • Task Force consisted of 33 parents from across Illinois charged with identifying tasks and priorities associated with the dissemination of useful information and technical assistance to parents of students with disabilities or those whose children might be eligible for special education support

4. The Parent Task Force • The Task Force identified the following priorities for the development of the new rights guide: • A more comprehensive guide • A more accessible guide to a wider array of educational levels • Appeal to a broader audience (i.e., a guide that would be useful to both parents and educators) • A guide that was easier to navigate

5. The Writing Process • Content of the new guide structured in a “chronological” flow (i.e., from child find through placement) • Guide content developed by numerous ISBE staff members and individuals with specialized expertise in areas covered by the Guide • Comprehensive, multiple reviews and revisions of each section prior to finalization • Review by ISBE staff and non-ISBE individuals • Design and layout done completely in-house to minimize costs

6. Soon to Come… • Spanish Language edition • Limited number of print copies • CD copies

7. Overview of the 2009 Guide • Here follows a presentation of features contained in the actual guide. To obtain a copy of the 2009 Guide, please go to: http://www.isbe.net/spec-ed/html/parent_rights.htm