Formation of Policy

Alternative
Katie Brogan
Wayne State University

Educational Plans
United States

Laws for special education are set by the federal

and state government.
Schools receive both federal and state funding.
Individual Education Plan (IEP) is used to ensure
students are receiving the services needed.

(Education, 2014)

Canada

Each one of the territories and

provinces set their own
special education policies.
Schools receive funding from
the individual territory or
providence the school.
Individual Education Plan
(IEP) is used to ensure
students are receiving the
services needed.
(Dworet, 2002)

Educational Plans cont.

United States

Once an IEP is requested the school has 30 days for an IEP

meeting and within 15 days after that meeting the IEP must
be in place.

IEPs are developed my a multidisciplinary team.

IEPs place children in the least restrictive environment.

IEPs are created to provide educational services to ensure
all children receive an education.

(Education, 2014)

Canada

IEPs are developed my a

multidisciplinary team.
IEPs are created to provide
educational services to ensure
all children receive an
education.
(Dworet, 2002)

Problems with education plans

in the United States
Lack of funding
Lack of qualified staff
Delayed response time for services over 30
days
Children not receiving services needed
Parents do not know their rights
Parents being told their child do not qualify for
services when they do.
(Education, 2014)

Problems with education

plans in the United States
Lack of funding
Lack of qualified staff
Delayed response time for services over 6
months
Children not receiving services needed
Children qualifying in one providence or
territory and not in others.
(Dworet, 2002)

Alternative Policy Partnering

for Success
Schools can partner with Universities using interns
to fill in the gaps.
School staff members will have reduced case loads.
Interns are free.
Interns can provide valuable resources to the
students and schools.
Schools will be able to help interns develop
professionally.
Universities can handle the demand for new interns
each school year.
This policy could work both here in the United
States and Canada.

Why this policy would work

Mutual relationship between school districts and

universities will benefit both students.
Interns will be able to work with school aged
students from all different races, ethnicities, and
social-economical backgrounds.
This policy would
free up school employees time, allowing them to
become more efficient.
This policy would save the school and community
the school serves by providing services for free.
The NASW Code socializes practitioners new to
the field to social works mission, values, ethical
principles, and ethical standards. (Workers, 2014)

My views of Partnering for

Success

This would be an innovative alternative mutually

benefitting all parties involved. Students would be
given services that they deserve and need in a
timely matter. Interns would receive the benefits
obtained from working with the children in a
professional capacity. This policy could change
the way children receive services in the school
system. Providing assistance during the most
crucial time period while educating future Social
Workers.

Bibliography
Dworet, D. (2002). A View from the North
Special Education in Canada. Teaching
Exceptional Children, 22-27.
Education, U. D. (2014, November 16). A
guide to the Individualized Education
Program. Retrieved from U.S.Department of
Education :
http://www2.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/iep
guide/index.html
Workers, N. A. (2014). National Association of
Social Workers. Retrieved from
http://socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp