American Act vs Singapore Policy

- Where is the gap?

Litigation & LegislationEarlier, many students with disabilities were

being excluded or participated in inferior educational programs

PL 94-142 was implemented to help with Education for All Handicaped Children act; initially defined and funded special education practices

Education for All Handicapped Children Act (94-142)Passed in 1975Most significant piece of legislation related to

special education to datePL 94-142 & its subsequent amendments &

reauthorizations provide guidelines, requirements, funding

Amendments & reauthorizations were made – these directly / indirectly affected current law

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (PL 108-446), passed in 2004 (IDEA 04)

Education for All Handicapped Children Act (94-142)6 major principles to guide the education of

individuals with disabilitiesi. Provision of a free, appropriate, provisional

education (FAPE)ii. Use of nondiscriminatory evaluationiii. Development of IEPiv. Implementation of due process proceduresv. Right of parental Participation

Free Appropriate Public Education• All children between the age of 3-21 including

children with disabilities must receive; free, appropriate, public education

• Appropriate education varies on the unique needs of each student

• Every attempts must give students they require based on their unique needs

• Have laws that require schools to provide more than the standards set by the law

• Educators to maintain high expectation for student disabilities

Special Education in SingaporeICP only for 3-6 years old, available in

selected childcare centresCaters only to visually impaired, physical

disability, hearing impaired and development delay

Fees varies, only subsidies availableEIPIC, CEL etc.

Child Find• States that all children with disabilities,

including those who are homeless, wards of the state, and who attend private schools, be identified and evaluated to determine if they need special education services

• Accomplished through community awareness - advertising, large-scale screening

programme• All levels of disabilities and those who are at

risk for having disabilities

Child Find – identify and evaluateNo database/statistic on children who have

disabilities / risk of having disabilityBasic children vaccination and check upsGovernment provides means-testing

subsidies for disability services to ensure affordability for all

Child Find – special education servicesHas not passed a legislation for special

education and to include these children with disabilities in regular classroom 

There are only policy guidelinesEnabling Masterplan 2007 -2011: Children

with Special Needs - shall receive a quality education that maximise potential

The Individualized Educational Program (IEP) in AmericaAll children with disability must have an IEPIEP is developed at the beginning at age 3

Infants& Toddlers - Inidividualized Family Service Plan ( IFSP)Include child's development program and the

role of the family as well

Individual Education Plan (IEP) – In SingaporeSet up with a separate learning goals for the

childHelp the child to be educated based on

his/her specific needs Receive help and training from paramedical

professionals such as psychologists, occupational therapists etc.

Conclusion on IEPIEP - is to set up teaching programsReviewed every 6 monthsImportant during IEP meeting sessions with

parents

The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)States that students with disabilities be

educated with children without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate.

Rights of Parents and Procedures• rights and responsibilities of both parents of

child with disability & LEA(local education agency)have been specified by number of procedural safeguards into IDEA04(individuals with disabilitieseducation act 2004)

• parents can;- examine all records relating to their

child- participate in meeting( identify,

evaluate & educational placement of child)

- obtain educational evaluation

Rights of Parents and Proceduressafeguard system

- mechanism to ensure decisions regarding educational program for student

with disability  are fair

Rights of Parents and Proceduresi. disagreement between parents & LEA

- process hearing & hearing officer who determines

(i) if student not receiving FAPE(ii) parents unable to make

decision of child's FAPE(iii) deprivation of students

education benefit

Rights of Parents and ProceduresDue to cost and time, additional safeguards

included that are designed to avoid process hearing

- include resolution session> filing due to process complaint & dispute resolution

process

Evaluation ProceduresGuidelines relating to EvaluationTime frame

Initial; Follow-up etcGuidelines in place regarding reevaluation

Determine educational needs of a studentGuidelines in place when assessing a student

Use variety of assessment tools & strategiesDetermine content of IEPEvaluation cannot be a single measure or assessment

Evaluation ProceduresNondiscriminatory evaluation procedures. Assessments

& evaluation materials are:Selected & administered so as not to be

discriminatory on a racial or cultural basisAdministered in the language and form - to yield

accurate informationValid & reliableAdministered by trained & knowledgeable personnelAdministered in accordance with instruction

provided by producer of assessmentStudents must be assessed in all areas of suspected

disability