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Volume 22

February 2024

South County SELPA Insights is a monthly newsletter, brought to you by the South County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) team, full of special education information. This month we are covering Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and how you can help families contribute to their development. Keep reading to find resources and see how the SELPA can assist you and the families you work with.

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legal document designed to support students with disabilities to be successful in school. The goals are a critical portion of an IEP and are essential because they provide a roadmap for the student's educational journey, guiding their learning and ensuring their needs are appropriately addressed. Here are some ways you contribute to the development of goals in a student's IEP and ideas to meaningfully engage the whole team when drafting goals.

• Assessment and Evaluation: Conduct thorough assessments to identify the student's strengths, weaknesses, and areas needing improvement. Collaborate with other professionals such as teachers, special educators, therapists, and parents to gather comprehensive data. This forms the foundation from which to build goals.
• SMART Goals: Ensure that goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). This ensures clarity and accountability, making it easier to track progress and make necessary adjustments.
• Parental Involvement: Involve parents or guardians in the development of goals. They can provide valuable insights into the student's development, preferences, and aspirations, ensuring that goals align with the student's overall needs and family expectations.

Finally, keep in mind that in Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District, the Supreme Court ruled that all students should have an IEP that is "reasonably calculated to enable a child to make appropriate progress in light of their unique circumstances." This means that while not all students will advance from grade to grade annually, all should make appropriate progress and have the opportunity to meet challenging goals based on their unique strengths and needs. The Endrew F. case is the gold standard and while the entire IEP is important, the goals and objectives created with parent input are the defining piece to determine progress. Check out this succinct article for more on the Endrew F. case. 

SELPA Highlights

Equity, Disproportionality and Design (ED&D)



The ED&D team presented "Addressing Disproportionate Outcomes: Supporting all Students within an Equitable Setting" at the 2024 California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA) Focused on Results Conference.

Feb. 16 — Summer Activities and Resources

Presented by San Diego Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego, San Diego Regional Center, Poway Unified School District, and The City of San Diego Parks and Recreation. The presentation will share information of summer activities and resources provided by various agencies and programs. Event will be in person at the Community Room, Poway Unified District Office, 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA 92128 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. To register for the event, click here.

Feb. 21 — NFAR Parent Group

How to Support Young People in Developing Emotional Regulation

Register for this virtual training here. Training will be 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. via zoom.

For more information visit their NFAR website.

Feb. 22 — South County SELPA Local Plan Review Presentation

Join SELPA staff for an informational meeting about the Local Plan. Presentation will be from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Click here for Zoom link.

Mach 2 — Annual San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering

Snapdragon Stadium will host dozens of new and returning hands-on learning experiences, interactive activities, and experiments for children of all ages. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit their website.

March 7 — Community Advisory Committee parent training: Mental Health

Join the Community Advisory Committee at the South County Regional Education Center (800 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950) from 10 to 11 a.m. Free parking is available on the top floor of the parking structure.

March 12 — Alternative Dispute Resolution Chat

Bring your special education questions to our team and drop in virtually from 12 to 12:30 p.m. using the Zoom meeting ID: 851 2590 6937

April 1 — Autism Acceptance Night

The Padres, in community partnership with Autism Society San Diego, invite you to join us for Autism Acceptance Night. For more information visit Padres site.

April 4 — Community Advisory Committee parent training: Preschool to kindergarten transition

Join the CAC at the South County Regional Education Center (800 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950) from 10 to 11 a.m. Free parking is available on the top floor of the parking structure.

April 9 to May 7 — Parent IEP Academy Spring Series

Interested in increasing your understanding of the individualized education program (IEP) process? Do you want to feel confident that you have the necessary tools to fully participate in your child’s IEP? Register now for the Parent IEP Academy, which will meet Thursdays on Zoom from 9 to 10 a.m.

Spanish Registration / English Registration

April 15 — High School Transition Fair

All high school staff, students and families are welcome. Explore options and supports for after high school. Event will be at Lincoln High School 4777 Imperial Ave San Diego, CA 92113 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Information: 619-725-7610

April 27 — Involved Exceptional Parents (IEP) Day

The theme this year is Beyond Caregiving — Parents as Change-Makers. Save the date from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and watch here for more information as it is released.

Feb. 27 — Spring Principals Academy with Jonathan Read, Esq., F3 Law

Presenter: Jonathan Read, Esq.

Presented by F3 Law at the South County Regional Education Center (800 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950) from 8 a.m. to noon.

Intended Audience: School Principals and Vice/Assistant Principals

Registration

Apr. 2 — Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI): Nonviolent Crisis Intervention

Presenter: Jim Perondi

Presented South County SELPA at the South County Regional Education Center (800 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950) from 8 a.m. to noon.

Intended Audience: Special Education teachers, Instructional Assistants, Administrators

Registration

If you have any questions or comments on the SELPA Insights newsletter, please contact our team at scselpaadr@sdcoe.net.

Get up-to-the-minute information about what's happening at South County SELPA.