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Did you know that a student does not need to take the ACT or SAT to receive a degree from a 4-year university? For students like my oldest, who has anxiety issues, this fact significantly reduced his stress when he realized his calling required a 4-year degree. The ACT and SAT are placement tests often used by universities to award freshman placement or by scholarship organizations to award funding. If your student is not looking to attend a university right out of high school or compete for academic scholarships, these tests may not be worth the time, energy, or stress they might cause. Navigating College Admission Without the ACT/SAT While skipping the ACT or SAT can reduce stress, it doesn't eliminate testing altogether for college admission. If your student enrolls in a community college before transferring to a 4-year university, that school will usually require a placement evaluation. Each community college has different regulations around these enrollment tests. Most tests can be taken without time limits, over multiple days, or without penalty for multiple re-tests. The most commonly used community college placement test is the Accuplacer Test. Some community colleges use a state-standardized placement test or one developed for their own college system. To understand the specific testing requirements of your community college and the necessary courses for college admission, it is best to set up an appointment with the college as your student prepares for post-secondary education. Even if your student doesn’t pass the community college placement test, that does not limit their enrollment in the college. For subject areas where your student shows college-level competence, they can enroll in credit classes. For areas needing improvement, they can take non-credit courses, and passing these courses will eventually allow them to enroll in credit hour courses. Most community colleges offer tutoring help for students in remedial courses and provide accommodations for those with learning disabilities. These special services departments also assist with testing and help students gain more services for their college career if needed. Transferring from a community college to a 4-year university requires meeting certain qualifiers set by the university. Each university has different requirements regarding transferable courses, GPA, and specific degree program admissions, but none require an ACT or SAT score. A Pathway to Success For my son, now in his third year of studies and on track to graduate from the University of Houston’s Biomedical Engineering program, taking a step-by-step approach has been a much more successful route to achieving his goal. My hope is that if you have a child who struggles but feels called to a career requiring a degree, neither of you will let go of that dream just because of an admissions test.

By Faith Berens, M.ED., Reading and Dyslexia Specialist at FaithBerens.com Home education has emerged as a compelling alternative for students with unique learning needs. With its flexibility, homeschooling offers an exceptional platform for tailored education. Yet, diving into the realm of special education can be daunting, especially for parents unfamiliar with terms like IEP, ISP, and SEP. Let's unpack these concepts together over a cup of coffee or tea. Deciphering Special Education Terminology: IEPs and 504 Accommodation Plans: These are legal agreements between schools and parents, outlining how a student's needs will be addressed. Accommodations like enlarged text or extra time are specified to aid learning. Components of Written Plans: They detail specialized instruction, therapy, and services, including who provides them, where, and for how long. They are annually reviewed to cover behavioral, social, emotional, and academic needs. Exploring Homeschool Options: Individual Service Plans (ISPs): Some states allow homeschooled students to access special education services through ISPs. Check your state's policies on the HSLDA website to see if this is available. Student Education Plan (SEP): A homeschool version of an IEP, the SEP acts as a blueprint for your child's academic journey. It encompasses student information, performance levels, goals, interventions, accommodations, and progress monitoring. Benefits of Drafting a SEP: Peace of Mind: Documenting your child's educational journey ensures you're prepared should your homeschooling face scrutiny. It provides clarity on the steps taken to address your child's unique needs. Access to Accommodations: Having a SEP handy allows your child to access accommodations in various educational settings, from vocational schools to college entrance exams. Encouragement: Crafting a SEP offers reassurance on challenging days. Reflecting on your child's progress and educational goals reinforces the value of homeschooling and your dedication as an educator. Navigating special education in homeschooling may seem complex, but with the right tools and resources, you can create a tailored educational experience that empowers your child's growth and success. Remember, you've got this!

By Janet Giel-Romo from Austin & Lily Homeschooling offers parents the invaluable opportunity to tailor their child's education to suit their individual needs. A crucial aspect of this customization is developing a Student Education Plan (SEP), akin to an Individual Education Program (IEP) in traditional schooling. Central to crafting an effective plan is understanding where to begin—a task facilitated by assessing the student's present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP or PLOP). Unveiling PLAAFP and PLOP Parents can leverage strategies similar to those used in schools to gauge their child's current knowledge and future aspirations. The IEP process involves various assessments, observations, and crafting a narrative—the PLAAFP or PLOP—detailing the student's strengths, weaknesses, and optimal instructional approaches. While compiling accurate data for a comprehensive PLAAFP may require time, it serves as the cornerstone for devising a tailored educational plan. Navigating Present Levels: Lily's Story As a homeschooling parent to my 19-year-old daughter, Lily, who has Down syndrome, I encountered challenges in assessing her mathematical proficiency. While her reading and writing skills were familiar territory, her math abilities remained uncharted. To address this gap, I devised an interactive game, "Taco Bell Sauce Store," using coins and sauce packets to simulate a real-world shopping scenario. Through this impromptu activity, I discerned Lily's comprehension of money and identified areas requiring improvement, such as recognizing coin values and executing basic arithmetic operations. Crafting Goals and Strategies With Lily's present levels elucidated, I had a plethora of goals and strategies at my disposal: Starting Point for Addition: Encourage Lily to add by commencing with the higher of the two numbers. Introducing Skip Counting: Foster Lily's ability to skip count by 10s and 5s, a fundamental skill for handling currency. Practicing Skip Counting with Currency: Reinforce Lily's understanding of skip counting by applying it to counting coins, particularly nickels. Advancing to Dimes: Progress Lily's skip counting skills to encompass dimes, laying the groundwork for more complex monetary transactions. By tailoring our approach to Lily's unique needs and abilities, we're gradually bridging the gap in her mathematical proficiency. Our current focus lies on integrating nickels and dimes—a testament to the efficacy of personalized, incremental learning strategies. In essence, understanding a child's present levels of academic achievement and functional performance empowers parents to chart a tailored educational journey that fosters growth and success.

By Peggy Ployhar When it comes to transition planning for high schoolers, I always emphasize the importance of a good assessment. A thorough assessment can help identify the specific skills your student needs to work on, saving both time and frustration as you prepare for a smooth post-high school transition. Here are the top three assessments I recommend for evaluating a student’s independent life skills: 1. Casey Independent Living Skills (CLS) Assessment The Casey Independent Living Skills Assessment is a free online tool designed to evaluate independent living skills for students aged 14 to 21. This comprehensive test covers several areas, including: Maintaining healthy relationships Work and study habits Planning and goal-setting Using community resources Daily living activities Budgeting and paying bills Computer literacy The assessment takes about 30 to 40 minutes to complete, and the results are available instantly. This allows for a strength-based conversation with the student, actively engaging them in setting and achieving their goals. For more information and to access the assessment, visit the Casey Life Skills Toolkit on the Casey Family Programs website. 2. PEATC Life Skills Checklist The PEATC Life Skills Checklist is a 7-page checklist designed to help transition students (ages 14-22), their families, and any homeschool IEP team track independent living skills. This comprehensive checklist is a valuable tool for assessing and monitoring progress. To access the checklist, visit the PEATC Life Skills Checklist. 3. Transition Coalition Inventory Independent Living Assessment Tool The Transition Coalition Inventory Independent Living Assessment Tool is a free downloadable resource that assesses various independent living skills. This tool is not only an assessment but also aids in creating a transition plan tailored to the student’s capabilities. It covers areas such as: Money management and consumer awareness Food management Personal appearance and hygiene Health Housekeeping Housing Transportation Educational planning Job skills Emergency and safety skills Knowledge of community services Interpersonal skills Legal issues Parenting and childcare To access this inventory and assessment tool, visit the Transition Coalition’s website. In general, the Transition Coalition offers an excellent array of resources for families with special education learners in high school. Their website includes training, resources, and tools to assist families in planning for post-high school goals.

By Peggy Ployhar As teens progress through junior high and high school, they often outgrow the traditional therapy model. However, it's crucial to ensure that they continue developing and practicing skills learned in therapy. Transitioning ownership of this growth process to the teen themselves is key to fostering independence and continued progress. Here are some practical ways your teen can integrate therapy goals into their daily routines without regular therapy sessions. Speech Therapy Ideas: Read Out Loud: Encourage your teen to read books, articles, or scripts aloud to practice articulation and fluency. Real-Life Scenarios: Engage in activities like ordering food at restaurants or asking for directions, providing opportunities to practice communication skills in authentic settings. Creative Expression: Singing, memorizing jokes, storytelling, and creating videos or voice recordings can all enhance speech and language skills. Occupational Therapy Ideas: Life Skills: Involve your teen in everyday tasks like cooking, yard work, house maintenance, auto repair, assembly of purchases, laundry, house cleaning, and gardening to develop fine motor skills and coordination. Physical Therapy Ideas: Sports and Recreation: Encourage participation in activities like martial arts, swimming, golf, tennis, rollerblading, ice skating, biking, running, and walking to promote physical fitness and motor coordination. Social Skill Therapy Ideas: Community Engagement: Joining clubs or special interest groups, volunteering at local events or churches, assisting as a mother's helper, and participating in organizations like 4H or book clubs can foster social interaction and communication skills. These suggestions provide a starting point for integrating therapy goals into your teen's everyday life. Encourage creativity and adaptability, and invite your teen to share their own ideas and experiences. By empowering your teen to take ownership of their therapy journey, you're equipping them with valuable skills for lifelong success. Feel free to share your own ideas in the comments below—we'd love to hear from you!

By Peggy Ployhar, SPED Homeschool Founder & CEO Have you ever encountered an acronym and had to search for its meaning? When I first started homeschooling my son on the spectrum 19 years ago, I was completely unfamiliar with most special needs and education acronyms. Since that first year of homeschooling kindergarten, I’ve learned a lot. I hope the list below will be helpful in your special needs homeschooling journey and assist you when reading articles on the SPED Homeschool website, listening to our podcasts, watching our videos, or tuning into our weekly live broadcast, Empowering Homeschool Conversations. To further assist you, the acronyms and definitions below include links to SPED Homeschool resources that provide more detailed explanations or examples of the terms in a homeschooling context. AAC – Assistive Augmented Communication ABA – Applied Behavior Analysis ACT – American College Testing ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADL – Activities for Daily Living ADP – Auditory Processing Disorder ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder ASL – American Sign Language AT – Assistive Technology AYP – Adequate Yearly Progress BIP – Behavior Intervention Plan CBA – Curriculum-Based Assessment CD – Cognitive Delay CP – Cerebral Palsy DD – Developmental Disability DS – Down Syndrome ESY – Extended School Year FAS – Fetal Alcohol Syndrome IEE – Individual Education Evaluation IEP – Individual Education Plan IFSP – Individualized Family Service Plan LD – Learning Disability ODD – Oppositional Defiant Disorder OT – Occupational Therapy PBSP – Positive Behavior Support Plan PDD – Pervasive Development Disorder PLEP – Present Level of Educational Performance PLOP – Present Level of Performance PT – Physical Therapy SAT – Scholastic Aptitude Test SDI – Specially Designed Instruction SEP – Student Education Plan SLP – Speech Language Pathology SPD – Sensory Processing Disorder I hope this list not only helps you understand these terms but also aids you in applying this knowledge in homeschooling your unique learner.

by The SPED Homeschool Team Record-keeping is an art, not a science. What works for one family may not work for another, and your system may need to evolve over time. Peggy Ployhar, founder of SPED Homeschool, and the rest of our team have compiled a list of records and documentation we’ve kept over the years. Requirements vary from state to state, so make sure you know what’s required for homeschooling in your area. Even if certain records aren’t required, keeping examples of your children’s work is valuable for tracking their progress. Remember, your system can change from year to year. Checklists for Planning and Tracking Booklists Calendar Daily or weekly lesson plans Daily or weekly checklists Grading rubrics Necessary supplies Student tasks/assignments Teacher prep tasks Unit study items Syllabi Scope and Sequence from curriculum or homeschool co-op Schedules By unit Extracurricular activities Monthly Per student Student activities Therapy Travel and field trips Weekly Yearly Grading Report Cards Rubrics Spreadsheets with project and test scores Transcripts Records Annual goals or focus Binder Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Student Education Plan (SEP) Picture collages of a student’s year in review Pictures or scans of assignments, tests, stored on Cloud or Google Drive Yearly testing summaries (required state standardized testing) Yearly portfolio boxes Our Pro Reminders Work Smarter, Not Harder Team members Amy, Dawn, and Melissa recommend saving lesson plans and daily checklists. These are not just planning tools but also records of your school day. Melissa shares, “Every day, my son has a checklist of ten assignments to do for school. He is seven and, while that may seem like a lot, most assignments take under 10 minutes! Most days, he is free to skip around on his checklist, and he frequently completes his reading or math before we start our school day. This list has been one of the best ways to make homeschooling a smooth experience.” Dawn adds, “Keeping track can help you and your child see what needs to be done and gives everyone a way to visually see what is expected.” Utilize Technology Amy utilizes technology to keep records and share them with people outside the immediate household. “I take pictures of tests, work samples, and activities and upload them into organized folders in a Google Drive dedicated to this purpose. I share those folders with the relevant people, and they can view them as needed. I include samples from all required areas, as well as an annual email about our focus and main curriculum for the year. I also include evaluations and results from any standardized tests we participate in, and for any therapy my boys are doing. I even have a folder for extracurricular and other fun activities.” Mastery Over Grades Team members Cammie and Dawn believe in mastery. Cammie explains, “I’m a strong believer in mastery as well as following directions. As a result, a student will only receive an A or an incomplete. This makes grading simpler and reinforces learning.” Dawn reminds us, “If they don’t do well, the beauty of homeschool is we can go back and relearn until they master the material.” By staying organized and flexible, you’ll be able to effectively track and support your child's progress through their educational journey.

By Amy Vickrey, MSE After gathering your documents, writing your goals, and deciding on accommodations, you're ready to start working towards those goals. Here are some frequently asked questions to help guide you through the process. How do I know what progress is made and when my child reaches their goal? Tracking progress is as individual as the goals themselves. Some goals can be monitored through a portfolio of work showing the student’s progress over time. Be sure to date each work sample and note any accommodations used. Other times, a tally sheet or checklist might be useful. The key is to document everything so you can clearly see the progress. What happens if my child is not making progress? If your child isn't making progress after a significant period of time (which could be a few weeks to a few months), consider changing your approach or providing more support to help your child achieve the goal. Check out my article on levels of support: "Is it cheating when I help my homeschooled child?" Over time, gradually reduce the support to foster independence. You can also re-evaluate and modify the goal if needed to make it more achievable, or carry the same goal into the next year. What happens if my child progresses quicker than I expected? First, celebrate! Then, set a new goal for the next skill you want your child to achieve. Although these are commonly referred to as “annual goals,” children develop at different rates. Sometimes focusing on a skill helps a child master it faster than anticipated. In that case, move on to the next goal, but always take time to celebrate achievements! How do I report these goals on report cards? If you issue grades or report cards every 6 or 9 weeks, write a quick summary for each goal and/or objective. This helps you compile and summarize all the data you've gathered, providing a single page of documentation at the end of the year. This summary will also assist you in setting goals for the following year. Additional Resources Check out our IEP Tools Pinterest board or explore these links for more ideas: SMART IEPs Setting Annual IEP Goals: What You Need to Know IEP Goal Tracking Sheet By staying organized and flexible, you'll be able to effectively track and support your child's progress towards their educational goals.

By Dawn Spence As the new school year approaches, it brings along the opportunity for setting fresh IEP goals and objectives. Whether your goals are a continuation from the previous year or entirely new, starting a new school year with new objectives is an opportunity for your child to embrace challenges and growth. Here are four ways to kickstart the year with enthusiasm and motivation for new goals. Break Down the Goals Introducing all goals at once can be overwhelming. Allow your child to ease into new objectives by focusing on one goal at a time. Incorporate enjoyable activities like read-alouds or games to provide a positive experience alongside challenging tasks. Take it Slow With a full school or physical year ahead, there's ample time to work towards achieving goals. Designate specific days for different subjects or goals to create a manageable schedule that suits both you and your child. Flexibility is key in adapting the schedule to meet evolving needs. Make it Exciting Infuse excitement into the learning process by approaching goals with enthusiasm and joy. Transform goals into engaging activities or games to make learning enjoyable. When faced with challenging goals, turn them into exciting challenges that your child will eagerly tackle. Be Flexible Recognize that not all methods will work for every child. If a particular approach isn't yielding results, be open to adjusting strategies. Involve your child in the decision-making process and seek their input on what methods or tools would best support them in achieving their goals. IEP goals serve as a roadmap for the academic year, guiding progress and growth. Embrace the journey of learning alongside your child, allowing room for adaptation and growth for both of you. With patience, enthusiasm, and flexibility, you can create a supportive environment conducive to achieving success.

By Alicia Goodman, PhD, NCSP From the moment children are born, they engage in interactions with others. As infants, they express themselves through cries and coos, gradually learning to attract attention. As toddlers, they explore mobility and engage verbally to foster friendships. Through the tween and teen years, they assert their independence. By the age of 18, an average individual will have experienced approximately 78,840 interactions (based on data extrapolated from a 2018 study by Zhaoyang, R., Sliwinski, M., Martire, L., and Smyth, J). That's a significant amount of behavior! Behavior, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary (2021), encompasses "the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially toward others." This article focuses specifically on behaviors perceived as unpleasant or unwanted, which affect others. We aim to address such behaviors by identifying the desired behavior within a given context. Let's introduce Emma, an eight-year-old who regularly visits her grandmother's house. During drop-offs, Emma clings to her parents and pleads for them to stay. Although she enjoys spending time with her grandmother and engaging in activities together, she struggles with separating from her parents. Many children experience separation anxiety, manifesting in various scenarios such as leaving for school, attending playdates, visiting relatives, or bedtime routines. Step 1: Define the Target Behavior Begin by objectively defining the behavior you wish to see. Instead of focusing on stopping unwanted behavior, articulate the desired outcome. For instance, a suitable goal for Emma might be "Emma will independently exit the car and enter Grandma's house with one prompt from a parent." Step 2: Determine When the Behavior Occurs Consider when the desired behavior should occur. In Emma's case, it might be during Tuesday and Thursday morning drop-offs or upon receiving a one-hour warning. Establishing clear parameters ensures consistency and ample practice opportunities. Step 3: Establish Baseline Data Assess the frequency of the desired behavior to establish a baseline. For example, if Emma currently achieves the goal in 2 out of 10 drop-offs, her baseline success rate is 20%. Step 4: Set Achievement Criteria Define the percentage of success required to achieve the goal. Consider setting smaller targets or objectives within the goal. For Emma, a goal of achieving the desired behavior 75% of the time over a two-week period may be appropriate. Understanding that behaviors serve as a form of communication underscores the importance of addressing underlying factors. With targeted intervention, empathy, structured support, and realistic expectations, unwanted behaviors can diminish. It's crucial to recognize our capacity to influence behaviors not by coercion but by adapting our approach and responses. Bonus Tips for Promoting Success: Involve your child in goal development and explain the purpose behind each goal. Pre-teach expectations, role-play, and model the target behavior. Address any skill deficits that may hinder success. Encourage your child to track progress on the goal, fostering a sense of ownership. Break down larger goals into manageable subgoals or objectives. By implementing these strategies and fostering a supportive environment, you can empower your child to navigate challenging behaviors effectively.

By Amy Vickrey, MSE Once you've completed the preparatory steps and crafted your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals, the next step is to consider the tools necessary for your child to attain those goals. This is where accommodations and modifications play a crucial role.  Accommodations Accommodations are straightforward tools designed to assist your child in working at their level without altering the curriculum. Here are some examples: Time: Providing extra time, an additional day, or breaking up tasks into smaller chunks over several days. Alternative Scheduling: Offering extended deadlines for projects or allowing flexibility in scheduling, provided all tasks are completed. Change of Setting: Providing a quiet workspace for assignments or tests, whether it's outdoors, on a beanbag, or at an easel. Change of Presentation: Altering the method of presenting material, such as using videos, hands-on activities, or specific computer applications. Varying Response Method: Allowing different ways of providing answers, such as orally, while in motion, or through interactive games. Cues and Supports: Providing visual aids like schedules, planners, checklists, grading rubrics, multiplication charts, calculators, or communication boards/apps. (Note: Some states may classify certain items, like calculators or communication boards/apps, as assistive technology.) Modifications Modifications involve adjusting the curriculum to suit the student's needs, often by simplifying or adapting the material: Presentation of Material: Utilizing special education materials or curriculums, such as Simply Classical. Adapted Materials: Simplifying content and vocabulary, reducing the number of vocabulary words introduced, and using leveled or simplified texts, especially in subjects like science or social studies. Grading and Testing Altered: Selectively assessing crucial parts of a lesson instead of the entire content, thus focusing on essential concepts for the learner's understanding. (For strategies on grading, refer to this article.) Considerations Here are some additional factors to consider when selecting accommodations and modifications: Plan to Document: Incorporate documentation of accommodations and modifications into your daily routine by consistently noting what tools are used. Critical Review: Assess the necessity of accommodations and modifications for your child to achieve their goals and reach their potential. Testing Considerations: If testing is required, either voluntarily or mandated by state regulations, ensure awareness of permissible accommodations or modifications aligned with your child's grade level. With careful consideration and implementation of accommodations and modifications, you can support your child's educational journey effectively.

Embarking on a museum trip with a child who has specialized educational or accessibility needs can be both exciting and challenging. To ensure a smooth and enriching experience, careful preparation is key. Before heading out, it's essential to lay the groundwork at home. Simple strategies such as creating social stories, packing a quiet bag with familiar items, and introducing exhibit materials through at-home lessons can help ease anxieties and build anticipation. Upon arrival at the museum, navigating the logistics becomes crucial. Inquire about handicap parking, accessible entrances, and any special accommodations available. Familiarize yourself with the museum's food policies and explore options for dining, ensuring your child's dietary needs are met. Confidence in navigating the museum's layout is vital, so take advantage of downloadable maps or virtual tours to plan your route in advance. Understanding the different spaces within the museum is also essential. Be aware of areas with sensory triggers such as loud noises or bright lights, as well as quiet zones for relaxation. Utilize educational materials provided by the museum to prepare your child beforehand and enhance their learning experience during and after the visit. Partnering with organizations like the International Association for Creation and SPED Homeschool can provide valuable resources and support. Explore options for guided tours or audio tours, and inquire about admission discounts or special passes to make the trip more affordable. Finally, don't hesitate to communicate your child's specific needs to museum staff, as they are often willing to accommodate and ensure a memorable visit for all. By following these comprehensive preparations and utilizing the provided resources, families can embark on museum adventures with confidence, knowing they've laid the groundwork for a successful and enjoyable experience tailored to their child's unique needs. Here is the link to watch our interview on YouTube with the President of IAC, Steven Policastro https://youtu.be/-UgbOayZEg4