Special Education Toolbox

Dr. Nicholas D. Young has worked in diverse educational roles for more than 30 years, serving as a teacher, counselor, principal, special education director, graduate professor, graduate program director, graduate dean, and longtime psychologist and superintendent of schools. Melissa A. Mumby, EdD has worked in various levels of K-12 education for over a decade. She began her career as a high school English and drama teacher, and then transitioned into a role as a special educator, working with both middle and high school students. From there she became a special education coordinator for grades K-5, and eventually the special education director for grades K-12 at a local charter school. She is currently an educational team leader for the Springfield Public Schools, Springfield, MA.Michaela F. Rice has worked in education for more than ten years. She has worked with students preschool age through high school with various disabilities in the home, community, hospital and school setting. Mrs. Rice holds a BA in special education, a MEd in reading and literacy, and she is a doctoral candidate in an EdD program for educational administration. She is currently a middle school special education teacher.

The world of special education can sometimes feel like a confusing place to novice teachers and families; however, The Special Education Toolbox: Supporting Exceptional Teachers, Students and Families is a primer that everyone can use to become an expert in their own right. Beginning with a brief walk through special education history and including the basics of assessment and IEP writing, this book considers student success from a variety of perspectives to include the role of the paraprofessional, the home-school connection, and transition planning to name just a few. The Special Education Toolbox will easily be one of the most used books on the shelf in any office, classroom, or home.

• PrefaceAcknowledgement1. The Fundamentals of Special Education: Defining Disabilities and the Federal Laws that Provide Guidance2. Response to Intervention & Multi-Tiered Systems of Support: A Close Examination of the Pre-Referral Process3. Determining the Need for Special Education Services: A Spotlight on the Assessment and Diagnostic Process4. Laying the Foundation for Success: Developing Meaningful Individualized Education Plans5. Finding the Right Fit: The Least Restrictive Environment6. Understanding the Role of the Paraprofessional: Leveraging Student Success7. It’s Not All About Academics: Addressing Disability-Related Behavior Problems and Social Deficits8. Expanding the Team: Effective Collaboration with Outside Services and Professionals9. Harnessing the Home-School Connections: Planning for Effective Parent-Teacher Partnerships10. Transition Planning: Ensuring Successful Post-Secondary Outcomes for Students with Disabilities11. Resources to Support Special Education ProfessionalsAbout the Authors