Colorado Parks & Wildlife Research Library

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Federal law concerning the education of students with disabilities, requires schools to provide parents of a child with a disability with a notice containing a full explanation of the procedural safeguards available under the IDEA and U.S. Department of Education regulations.

In order to be an effective participant on the education team, to provide quality services to students, and to advance professionally, a paraeducator must acquire and maintain certain essential skills. In this document, such skills are called core competencies and are subdivided into the four domains of: Professionalism and Ethical Practice, Instructional Content and Practice, Supporting the Learning Environment, and Communication and Collaborative...

With input from facilities' special education directors and teachers, as well as school district out-of-district placement coordinators, the Quality Standards have been revised to reflect the most recent changes in the law (IDEA, No Child Left Behind) and highlight best practices. Furthermore, every effort has been made to make each individual quality standard concrete and discrete, as well as to eliminate redundancy.

The purpose of this guide is to provide information for school district special education advisory committee (SEAC) members regarding their functions and purpose. Many school districts in Colorado and throughout the country use advisory committees to provide advice and recommendations to improve services for students with disabilities. This guide is intended to assist school district SEAC members and the local special education director in the development...

The Quality Indicators offer guidance to educators and administrators when developing, implementing and evaluating quality programs and services for students with the most significant needs. This guide identifies ten components to consider for effective programs: Inclusive Culture, RtI/Progress Monitoring, Instruction, Positive Behavior Support, Communication, Self Determination, Health and Safety, Transition, and Paraeducators. This guideline is...