Interdisciplinary Connections to Special Education: Important Aspects to Consider: Volume 30A

This chapter provides a brief history of the multidisciplinary process and how it has evolved over time. A rationale for why the process has changed is provided and how involving more professionals to obtain more specific assessment data and provide more direct input aids in the development of the student’s individualized education program (IEP). In addition, a discussion on the incorporation of more reliable and accurate data directly from these individuals shows that a more educationally relevant IEP can be developed for students so that there is a better opportunity for academic success in the school. Incorporating more professionals, when possible, however, requires more planning, but ultimately this process will provide more accurate and reliable data to aid the process for the student, family, and teachers, and everyone will feel more a part of the process.

This chapter presents a synopsis of teaching students with disabilities and the qualities of schools that can enable effective teaching of all students, including those who have disabilities. A review of legal mandates that teachers must understand are outlined and serve as a framework encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration. This chapter seeks to inform the reader of the role of special educators and related professionals, including families, to improve school outcomes for students with disabilities.

We have witnessed, over the past century, an evolution in the manner in which students with disabilities are educated. Indeed, the quality of education students with special needs receive, in many ways, may be more aptly termed a revolution – from a legal and pedagogical perspective. The tremendous strides special education has made during this period of time has resulted in the current situation in which students with special needs are placed in the least restrictive environment, which often is an inclusive classroom in which general education and special education teachers work together in a collaborative, co-teaching environment. This chapter traces the events, legislation, and court cases that provide the historical context for this situation. In addition, models and essential components of co-teaching are examined, as well as the roles and requisite skills of general education and special education co-teachers. Of critical importance, in the success of co-teaching, is the need for special education and general education teachers to approach the curriculum planning and instructional processes in a collaborative and cooperative manner in order to achieve optimum results from the resulting co-teaching partnership. Finally, the assessment of special education and general education co-teaching efficacy is discussed, specifically through the use of three assessment rubrics used to evaluate co-teaching, co-planning, and co-assessment.

Professional school counselors have been in the public schools since the early 1900s. Fueled by the industrial revolution, the vocational guidance movement spawned the creation of high school guidance counseling programs. In 1907, Jesse B. Davis created one of the first vocational guidance programs at Central High School in Detroit, Michigan (Schmidt, 2014). In 1908, Frank Parsons, the father of vocational guidance, founded the Vocations Bureau that eventually became part of the Division of Education at Harvard University. These early efforts helped students develop vocationally, morally, and intellectually, and it would take nearly 70 years for children with exceptionalities to be similarly served in the public schools.

The purpose of this chapter is to explain the role of counselors in assisting students with exceptionalities. This will be examined by better understanding the counseling history, defining the terms of exceptionalities and transdisciplinary collaboration, and showcasing the many benefits of individual, group, and brain-based interventions.

The roles and functions of a school psychologist are multifaceted. School psychologists are traditionally trained in areas of assessment, intervention, consultation, and program evaluation, though they often participate in prevention and crisis intervention efforts and program evaluation (Harvey & Struzziero, 2008). School psychologists work at district, building, and individual student levels to provide comprehensive and effective services to children and families. Despite a wide range of responsibilities, the school psychologist works in conjunction with other school professionals (e.g., general and special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, social workers, principals) and parents to foster individual student success. This chapter presents the general roles and responsibilities of the school psychologist, as well as the school psychologist’s role within an interdisciplinary team when making appropriate educational decisions.

The chapter examines school administrator responsibilities to special education students and their families from case scenarios based on conflicts between parents and districts regarding services provided by schools to special education students. From these case studies based on real case law, readers are exposed to situations intended to pose questions as to whether administrators met their responsibility to ensure the rights of the special education students. Principals, superintendents, and special education administrators committed to work together to make their school environment and optimal place for children to learn. An equally important role for school administrators is to create and maintain cultures where faculty understand their advocacy role for all children, but in particular, those children most in need of support. Effective administrators hold themselves and other professionals in their district to high standards related to knowledge of school law, particularly special education school law; communication with parents and other professionals; and collaborations based on the value of what is best for the student. This chapter concludes with a section on ethical leadership or the values underlying administrative actions affecting individualized education program students, their families, and all students who are different whether due to socioeconomic status, cultural differences, or race.

Roles of special education-related service professionals have changed since the passage of P.L. 94-142. Many children are spending a majority of their day in the general education classroom, however services can be delivered in a variety of settings ranging from the general education classroom to a one-on-one setting. Professionals deliver services based upon the educationally necessary model, which is determined by members of the Individualized Education Program team. Regardless of where services are delivered, when there are multiple related service professionals on a child’s educational team, there is a great deal of collaboration and communication required. A basic framework for ensuring this occurs includes selecting a key communication person or case manager, striving for clarity in communication, setting a schedule for consistent check-ins, removing discipline jargon, and communicating what is important to parents.

Strong relationships between parents and education professionals benefit all, especially children with disabilities. Parents of children with disabilities were integral to the development of special education, are their children’s best advocate, and are the members of the Individual Education Plan team who know the child the best. As education professionals we must strive to develop and maintain a strong relationship with parents and involve them in all aspects of their children’s education. This chapter provides an overview of parental rights and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The theoretical foundations of parental engagement is discussed and explored. Finally, recommendations are provided for developing and maintaining strong relationships with parents of children with disabilities.

This chapter addresses the importance of community in fostering transformative learning and living environments for children with special needs. Community is conceptualized as a special kind of relationship between people, who, regardless of geography, share common values, concerns, interests, or experiences. This understanding of community as relationship is linked to the importance of empowering family involvement and decision making as children with special needs navigate the educational system that seeks to help them grow and thrive. This theoretical frame is used to analyze the ways in which the wisdom families have about their children and the wisdom educators have about teaching children who have special needs can be used to nurture life-changing educational experiences.

Education is primary a state and local responsibility in the United States. It is states and communities, as well as public and private organizations of all kinds, that establish schools and colleges, develop curricula, and determine requirements for enrollment and graduation. The appropriate roles for state in the education of all children continue to be an issue of urgent concern. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act mandates cooperating and reporting between state and federal educational agencies. State educational agencies, in turn, must ensure that local schools and teachers are meeting the state’s educational standards. The importance of this responsibility creates controversy on how public education should be implemented and what policy directions state and local governments should take. It is apparent that enhancing public education programs to benefit all students requires a process of system change, as opposed to isolated programs and invalidated instructional practices often common with programming in some school districts. This chapter discusses the role of government agencies in enhancing special education and problems associated with it.

Individuals with special needs encounter multidimensional experiences in identification, assessment, labeling/categorization, placement, and instruction/intervention. These experiences call for multidimensional strategies that require different educational practitioners and professionals. These individuals must bring with them different ideas on how to remediate problems experienced by children and youth with special needs. Sometimes, in dealing with these issues, we forget that collaboration, consultation, and cooperation (the 3Cs) are keys. To advance these 3Cs, the Comprehensive Support Model (CSM) must be at work. Based on the CSM, students, families, school personnel, communities, and government agencies must work together to maximize the fullest potential of all students, including those with special needs.