FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Question: In using the free version of Zoom, meetings can occur for up to 40 minutes. How should we mitigate when meetings last longer? Answer: Zoom has recently its 40-minute requirement for K-12 staff by offering free full zoom upgrade by registering through this link. Question: What’s our protocol for using interpreters during virtual IEP/504 meetings? How about inviting general education teachers? Answer: Use the same district protocol with the exception of inviting interpreters (and general educators) via the zoom link. Question: Will Special Services staff have a repository of lesson and activity ideas for students with disabilities during school closures? Answer: Yes. A Google folder in the WPS Special Service Handbook folder has been created for this exact purpose. Please upload your good ideas here for others to use. Question: Will all (re)evaluations for special education be delayed until school re-opens? Answer: No. Some reevaluations, especially for older students, may require only a record review or informal assessments that do not require face-to-face interaction. Only those (re)evaluations that require face-to-face interaction will need to be delayed until school re-opens. We recently received a reporting code from CDE on this exact scenario. Question: What if when we discuss ‘learning priorities’ and ‘services’ for students, families don’t want them? Answer: Parents and IEP teams can coordinate an IEP meeting to discuss and document circumstances that may lead to the delay of services until school reopens, so long as both the school and parents agree. Question: For meetings that require an interpreter other than Spanish, do we follow the same regular process? Answer: Here’s our process for requesting non-Spanish interpreters while brick and mortar schools are closed: ● Continue with SOP to submit online SPED Interpreter Request for language than Spanish. ●
We will provide the SPED staff member with the interpreter’s name, zoom video link, etc. once all details are confirmed.
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SPED staff members are responsible to provide the families the zoom video conference information.
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Please promptly reach out directly to me with notification if a meeting is canceled in advance as possible.
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Please reach out to bmoreno@mywps.org if you have questions.
Question: Do we hold Section 504 meetings in much the same manner as we would IEP meetings? And how do we collect original signatures? Answer: Yes. Section 504 meetings can also be held through video- or phone conferencing. Since original signatures of participants are not technically required, the 504 site coordinator should write the name of each participant on the 504 plan and indicate the meeting was held virtually or telephonically. Question: How should we handle new enrollments while school is closed and, say the enrolled student has an IEP needing services from one of our Learning Centers? Answer: If a family tries to enroll their child in their “boundaried” school (say, Sherrelwood), but child needs to attend an SSN learning center (say, Hodgkins), then teams from both schools, along with assigned special education coordinator(s), must hold a change of placement meeting with the family using video or phone conferencing capabilities. Once decided, services can begin the following school day.
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