“My child is struggling. Should we ask for special education?”
It sounds like a simple question. But special education isn’t simply another form of extra help—and it isn’t automatically the next step when a student is having difficulty.
So when is special education actually the right place?
In this webinar, we take a closer look at what special education is supposed to do, how a student gets there, and why the process before eligibility matters. We’ll look at the role of general education supports, evaluation, and the questions that have to be answered before a student is placed into special education.
And we’ll challenge an assumption that comes up again and again: that special education is where struggling students should go.
Who Is This For?
Parents & Caregivers
If your child is struggling in school, understand why special education isn’t necessarily the first—or automatically the best—place to turn.
Parent Advocates
Explore the reasoning behind the evaluation and eligibility process and why the road to special education matters.
Attorneys
Take a closer look at the purpose of special education, the evaluation process, and the considerations that surround eligibility and placement.
Educators & Administrators
Understand why special education is different from general education intervention and why the decision to provide specially designed instruction matters.
Evaluators & Related Service Providers
Examine the evaluator’s role in determining whether special education is appropriate and why the process requires more than simply identifying a struggling student.
Students
Build a clearer understanding of what special education is designed to accomplish and how it fits within the larger educational system.
Is Special Education the Bad Place?
Maybe the better question is: When is it actually the right place?