Reflection Cycle Side by Side Legal Framework

EDSP 6345
Dr. Reed
Submitted by Kelly Thurber

Artifact:

Special Education Rules and Regulations/Texas State Laws, 2012

This document discusses the federal law and how Texas law compares to the
federal requirements.

Describe:

Federal Regulations/Purpose: To ensure that all children with disabilities have

available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education
and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further
education, employment, and independent living.
Texas Administrative Code: Special education services shall be provided to eligible
students in accordance with all applicable federal law and regulations
Texas Education Code: An educational institution undertaking to provide education,
Services, or activities to any individual within the jurisdiction or geographical boundaries
pursuant to this code.
Texas: Multiple disabilities: A student with multiple disabilities is one who has been
determined to meet the criteria for multiple disabilities as stated. A student with
multiple disabilities is one who has a combination of disabilities defined as:
a) The students disability is expected to continue indefinitely
b) The disabilities severely impair performance in two or more of the following areas:
Psychomotor skills, self-care skills, communication, social and emotional
development, or cognition
c) Orthopedic impairment A student with an orthopedic impairment is one who has
been determined to meet the criteria for orthopedic impairment
d) Other Health Impairment A student with OHI is one who has been determined to
meet the criteria for other health impairment due to chronic or acute health
problems such as ADHD, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, heart condition, etc.
e) Learning Disability Data demonstrates the child was provided appropriate
instruction in reading and/or math within general education settings. A student with

LD has been determined through a variety of assessment tools and strategies to

meet the criteria for a specific learning disability.
Highly Qualified Special Education Teachers: Texas: All special education and
related service personnel shall be certified, endorsed, or licensed in the areas of
assignment.
Federal: A fully certified regular education teacher who subsequently becomes fully
certified or licensed as a special education teacher is a new special education
teacher when first hired as a special education teacher.
Analyze: It is important as a Diagnostician to understand or least be exposed to the
Federal and state regulations regarding special education. As a teacher in Texas,
whether in general education or special education, I need to understand what the
requirements are to be highly qualified. I had not read the Federal or state
guidelines for special education, so this will be beneficial as a Diagnostician.
Appraise: This is beneficial to me as a Diagnostician so that I understand what my
Responsibilities will be and what is expected of the school/state.
Transform: I will include this document in my professional library for reference.