Weekly Objectives

In this week you will...

  • review Florida laws that impact gifted students and programs.
  • describe the relationship between ESE and gifted programs.
  • explore the importance of parent, teacher and student advocacy.
  • explain the need for and benefits of parent involvement in the gifted program.

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Procedural Safeguards and Advocacy Issues

This week you will gain a better understanding of why gifted education falls under the ESE umbrella and what policies and procedures are in place to protect gifted children's rights. When we think of disability we tend to think of a lack – a child who is struggling because he has a learning disability which prevents him from performing and/or learning at grade level, a child who is physically or mentally challenged, a child who cannot communicate effectively, etc. The general opinion is that children requiring these special services fall at the center or left of center on the bell curve.

From this course you have gained an understanding that children with higher IQs (to the right of center) also are at-risk. They have their own set of challenges that set them apart from the accepted “norm.” You will learn what the state of Florida has in place to guarantee the rights of these special children.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) is a federal law which is designed to provide a free, appropriate education to all children with disabilities. The Act stresses special education and other services necessary to meet their unique needs. It mandates that the rights of these children and their parents are protected.

The purposes of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) are:

IDEA ensures that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education.
  2. to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living;
  1. to ensure that the rights of children with disabilities and parents of such children are protected;

  2. and to assist States, localities, educational service agencies, and Federal agencies to provide for the education of all children with disabilities;
  1. to assist States in the implementation of a statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families;

  2. to ensure that educators and parents have the necessary tools to improve educational results for children with disabilities by supporting system improvement activities; coordinated research and personnel preparation; coordinated technical assistance, dissemination, and support; and technology

  3. to assess, and ensure the effectiveness of, efforts to educate children with disabilities.