Special Education Basics

Federal law requires Head Start programs reserve at least 10% of their enrollment for children with disabilities. All staff should have ample understanding of the basics around special education in Head Start and Early Head Start programs! With Special Education Basics, you'll gain a thorough understanding of the requirements set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and how these policies impact your responsibilities as a staff member.

Not only will you get a solid foundation in the key aspects of ADA and IDEA, but you'll also learn how to identify potential signs of a disability in the children you work with. Early intervention is crucial for children with disabilities, as it can have a major impact on their learning and development. By learning how to identify potential signs of a disability, you can help ensure that children with disabilities receive the support and services they need as early as possible.

In this course, you'll discover the ins and outs of Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), so you can provide the best possible support to students with disabilities and their families. This course is also a powerful introduction to special education support for families with children with disabilities.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills in the field of special education, and to support the early identification and intervention. Sign up for this course today!

Start Date: 

Pre-registration is open! This course will be available starting April 2023.

Course Level: 

Beginner

Requirements/Prerequisites:

None

Target Audience:

Instruction and Effective Practice, Leadership and Management, Program Operations, Parents and Families, and Support Services

Course Meeting Times:

None

Completion Timeline/Duration: 

One-month

Head Start Alignment:

This course supports programs in meeting the 1302.60 Full participation in program services and activities of the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) in which a program must “ensure enrolled children with disabilities, including but not limited to those who are eligible for services under IDEA, and their families receive all applicable program services delivered in the least restrictive possible environment and that they fully participate in all program activities.”