NOREP

Professional
Development
For Preschool LEA
Representatives
NOREP - Annotated

What is it?
This form is effective beginning March 2014. It summarizes recommendations for
a child’s preschool educational program and includes state and local resources
that provide additional information on the special education process. This
annotated form offers assistance and guidance to parents and early intervention
providers. It is not intended as an exclusive manner for complying with state
and/or federal special education statutes and regulations.

Where is it?
Found on PaTTAN at http://www.pattan.net/category/Legal/Forms/Browse

*See Handout “NOREP - Annotated”

1. Type of Action Proposed:
1. Type of Action Proposed:
1. Type of Action Proposed:
1. Type of Action Proposed:
1. Type of Action Proposed:
2. A description of the action proposed or
declined by the preschool early intervention
program:
What does the state want us to include?
“Describe in detail the proposed action or the action declined by the preschool
early intervention program as checked above.”

What are some best practices?

Using complete sentences include the following:
- Child’s name
- Services
- Environment
3. An explanation of why the preschool early
intervention program proposed or declined to
take the action:
What does the state want us to include?
“Describe the reason(s) the early intervention program has proposed or declined
the proposed action. Be specific about the reasons, citing information from the ER
or the IEP.”

What are some best practices?

Always use the term “requires,” never “benefits.”
4. A description of other options that the IEP
team considered and the reasons why those
options were not chosen.
What else does it say on the form?
If the action proposed or declined is in regards to educational placement, options
considered must begin with the least restrictive environment with supplementary
aids and services (information about supplementary aids and services is available
on the PaTTAN website at www.pattan.net.)

PaTTAN Publication: Supplementary Aids and Services.

http://www.pattan.net/category/Resources/PaTTAN+Publications/Browse/Single/?i
d=4dc09560cd69f9ac7f710000

*See handout “Supplementary Aids and Services”

4. A description of other options that the IEP
team considered and the reasons why those
options were not chosen.
What does the state want us to include?
“For IEPs regarding initial or annual placements, the educational location must be
considered explicitly. The IEP team must first consider the least restrictive
environment, such as the early childhood setting or the home, with the reason it
was not chosen made clear.”

What are some best practices?

For any services discussed but not chosen, explain the rationale for not adding a
service. For example, family want to add a Speech therapist for a new
communication goal but the service of Special Instruction is sufficient to oversee
this goal.
At Initials, Service Coordinators should review the continuum of placement
environments. Document at least one additional environment on the continuum.

*See Handout: “LRE Continuum”

5. A description of each evaluation procedure,
assessment, record or report used as a basis
for the proposed action or action declined:
What does the state want us to include?
“List the ER components and/or other information and activities that were
reviewed in order to make the recommendation.”

What are some best practices?

The IEP team is the entity making all decisions for the child in question. “IEP team
discussion” should always be included on all NOREPs.

Examples: observation, parent interviews, record review, consultation with early

childhood teacher, standardized norm-assessment, etc.
6. A description of other factors that were
relevant to the preschool early intervention
program's proposal or declined action:
What does the state want us to include?
“Describe in detail any relevant issues, factors or concerns underlying the
preschool EI program’s proposed action or declined action. Reminder that if an
early intervention service is projected to start later than 14 days after the IEP is
completed, due to family request, or family/weather related reason, a justification
of the later date must be attached to the IEP.”

What are some best practices?

Examples include: Summer Services for children attending 10 month programs,
recommendations for an FBA to be completed, and if a referral is made to Drexel.
7. The educational placement recommended
for your child is:
What does the state want us to include?
“Educational placements include: Early Childhood Environment; Early Childhood
Head Start; Early Childhood Special Education; Home; Part time Early
Childhood-Part time Special Education; Separate School; Itinerant Services
Outside the Home; Reverse Mainstream; Residential APS; Separate School APS.”

What are some best practices?

When the IEP team is making the most appropriate recommendation for the child’s
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), following the LRE continuum to help guide
the IEP team to make an informed decision regarding LRE.

*See Handout “LRE Continuum”

8. Parental Consent
Directions for Parent/Guardian/Surrogate:
“Please check one of the options, sign this form, and return it within 10 calendar
days. *

What else should be included?

If the family does not approve, a reason for disapproval must be listed. For an
explanation of “mediation” or “due process hearing,” please refer to the Procedural
Safeguards Notice (PSN) provided to parents, or you may find the PSN online at
www.pattan.net. Family must initiate mediation and due process procedures.

Where is it?
Found on PaTTAN at http://www.pattan.net/category/Legal/Forms/Browse
Search “Procedural Safeguards Notice.” Select the Preschool version.
8. Parental Consent
In addition to members of the child’s IEP team, I/we
authorize the following to receive the ER/IEP:
Include stakeholders that are not authorized on the IEP to share documents.

Example of Name/Agency: School District of Philadelphia, Preschool

Example of Sections: Entire IEP and ER, IEP Only, IEP Goals Only.
General NOREP Tips
1. Multiple boxes can be checked.
2. Multiple NOREPs can be issued at an IEP meeting for disagreements.
3. DO NOT use the term “may benefit.” Use the term “requires.”
4. If sending the NOREP home on a different day of the meeting, date should be
the date of the meeting and then sent date: Date that it is actually sent.
5. Use the positive, friendly language.
6. Do not use highlighter anywhere on the NOREP.
Scenario 1 - Practice Activity
What happened?
Annual IEP took place for Foley. Foley is currently in a community
preschool receiving Special Instruction and Speech Therapy. The
IEP team updated goals and strategies that work on cooperative
play and communicating with peers and adults.

What do you write?

Utilizing a blank NOREP, write out what you think is the most
appropriate for each section when incorporating the details from
the IEP meeting.
Scenario 1 - Example Answer
Scenario 1 - Example Answer

Home does not provide social opportunities to work on

Home Environment IEP goals, and is not a structured environment
Scenario 1 - Example Answer
Scenario 1 - Takeaway
Annual IEPs
According to Chapter 14, 14.154 (d)(2): “The IEP of each eligible
young child shall be reviewed by the IEP team at least annually.”
This is interpreted as all components of an IEP including
environment and scheduled breaks.
Scenario 2 - Practice Activity
What happened?
Initial IEP took place for Jefferson. Jefferson requires EI
center-based programming but there are no openings at the local
center. The IEP team recommends SI, SLP and OT services in the
Home during the interim to work on attention, participation,
interaction and communication skills.

What do you write?

Utilizing a blank NOREP, write out what you think is the most
appropriate for each section when incorporating the details from
the IEP meeting.
Scenario 2 - Example Answer
Scenario 2 - Example Answer
Scenario 2 - Example Answer
Scenario 2 - Takeaways
Program Options: Availability
There is typically always a spot available in the city. This may be
an inconvenience for the family and they may wish to wait for
center-based programming closer to their home. FAPE must
always be addressed and recommended.

Change in Program Options

“After the family tours appropriate [preschools if in home
environment; or center-based programming], the IEP team will
reconvene to review IEP.” The IEP team should always meet to
discuss and revise the IEP, if needed.
Scenario 3 - Practice Activity
What happened?
Spartacus is currently receiving services at a Head Start. He was
recently evaluated by CHOP and received a diagnosis of Autism.
The IEP team held a review meeting to discuss and change the
diagnosis from Developmental Delay to Autism. Placement of
Autism only classroom was discussed and rejected for being too
restrictive.

What do you write?

Utilizing a blank NOREP, write out what you think is the most
appropriate for each section when incorporating the details from
the IEP meeting.
Scenario 3 - Example Answer
Scenario 3 - Example Answer
Scenario 3 - Example Answer
Scenario 3 - Takeaways
Change in Diagnosis
Medical vs. Educational Diagnosis

Program Options
Goals and services are based on the needs of the child. A change
of diagnosis should not drastically change a child’s program.
Depending on the diagnosis, it may make certain program options
available.
Scenario 4 - Practice Activity
What happened?
Initial IEP. Chase has a diagnosis of Autism and IEP team
recommends SI, SLP, OT, ABA, and BSC in the community
preschool and home. More services will occur at home so that the
family has opportunities to be involved in therapy sessions.

What do you write?

Utilizing a blank NOREP, write out what you think is the most
appropriate for each section when incorporating the details from
the IEP meeting.
Scenario 4 - Example Answer
Scenario 4 - Example Answer
Scenario 4 - Example Answer
Scenario 4 - Takeaways
Educational Placement Recommended
The Educational Placement is required to be the location of where
the child receives the majority of early intervention services.
Scenario 5 - Practice Activity
What happened?
Initial IEP. Winston attends a community preschool. He has
profound delays that requires a specialized placement. The IEP
team recommends SI in the preschool and center-based EI only
room 5 days a week with SLP and OT support.

What do you write?

Utilizing a blank NOREP, write out what you think is the most
appropriate for each section when incorporating the details from
the IEP meeting.
Scenario 5 - Example Answer
Scenario 5 - Example Answer
Scenario 5 - Example Answer
Scenario 5 - Takeaways
Part-time Early Childhood, Part-time Special Education
Part-time-Part-time is used when a child is receiving services in
BOTH a preschool setting AND center-based program. It does not
have to be equal ratio of services like 50/50. It can be any
combination.
Scenario 6 - Practice Activity
What happened?
Initial IEP team recommended center-based EI only room with SLP, OT, and PT
supports. Casey is currently attending a preschool. The family refused the
recommendation and wants all services at Casey’s current preschool. As a result,
the IEP team agreed to provide SI, SLP, OT, PT and PCA-Traditional services at
the preschool. The family was encouraged to tour center-based programs.

What do you write?

Utilizing a blank NOREP, write out what you think is the most
appropriate for each section when incorporating the details from
the IEP meeting.
Scenario 6 - Example Answer
Scenario 6 - Example Answer
Scenario 6 - Example Answer
Scenario 6 - Takeaways
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
The IEP team MUST always be recommending FAPE, regardless
of parent’s request.
Scenario 7 - Practice Activity
What happened?
Initial IEP team discussed that Deuce may be a candidate for Approved
Private School setting with support from SLP, OT, PT, Vision. Deuce is
currently in a community daycare.

What do you write?

Utilizing a blank NOREP, write out what you think is the most
appropriate for each section when incorporating the details from
the IEP meeting.
Scenario 7 - Example Answer
Scenario 7 - Example Answer
Scenario 7 - Example Answer
Scenario 7 - Takeaways
Approved Private School
There is a process to be followed in the approval of enrollment in
Approved Private Schools, services must first be placed in the
child’s current setting until the process has concluded and IEP
team reconvenes. There is a chance the child is not appropriate for
an Approve Private School and the enrollment is declined by the
state. The IEP team will still reconvene to discuss program options.