What are some questions a principal may ask when assessing a special education program?

Question

These questions can involve topics such as the law (NCLB and IDEA), teacher collaboration, IEPs', Parental Involvement, etc...

Answer 1

Make sure all the MFE's (multi factored evaluations),and IEP's, are all in order (compliant). If you are fortunate enough to have a special ed director, or a lead teacher that tracks these things you are in good shape. Your responsibility as a principal is that all IEP's are being followed. I suppose you are taking a class and just want cheep answers and not actual advise if you are a new principal. If that is the case here are some questions:
1. Are accommodations in the IEP written with the disability in mind?
2. How many students are being assessed alternatively?
3. What strategies are being used to transition students into regular classrooms?
4. Are the IEP's driven by the MFE's?

Hope this help. Good luck with either your class or new assignment as principal.

Answer 2

1) Are you keeping your paperwork in compliance with state & federal guidelines?
2) Do the Special Ed teachers do regular collaboration with General Ed teachers for those students under the collaborative model?
3) Do you feel the IEP's are going smoothly? If not, what are the areas that need improvement and how can I be helpful?
4) What percent of parents/guardians are attending IEP meetings?
5) Are there ways I can assist the Special Ed department in making sure the Special Ed students and teachers are meeting all NCLB guidelines?
6) How cooperative are the General Ed teachers at this school when you request inclusion or mainstreaming of your Special Ed students?
7) What percent of Special Ed students at this school are mainstreamed, for at least one subject? What prevents that number from being higher? What is needed to improve that number?
8) What type of help from the Administration (principal level or district level) is needed, for you to keep the program in greater compliance?

Answer 3

I will assume you mean an in-coming principal checking to see if the existing SPED program is being completely compliant.
They may ask about parental involvement to make sure that progress reports are being given as they should, make sure IEP's are being scheduled within proper time limits, finding out if parents are showing up for these meeting, etc...
As for IDEA and NCLB, principals need to know if SPED teachers are highly qualified to teach the subjects they teach (i.e. a HS English resource teachers needs to be HQ in English as well as in SPED), are they exposing students to grade level curriculum and what are the standard and nonstandard testing accommodations for the standardized tests (this can differ from state to state).
Does the program have everything they need to meet the needs of all students? Do they have manipulatives and videos, books on tape that match the reading curriculum?
Also, for a principal is coming from a private or charter school to a public school, SPED laws are different. Public schools must meet all needs of SPED students. Private and charter schools often do not have to accept SPED students if they do not have the faculty or the specific technology needed to provide services.

Answer 4

I really hope you meant parent not principal.

I may be wrong to assume that principals are required by law to have taken courses in special education topic but I understand every state is different....