EC Program Specialists

The EC program specialist is crucial during the initial stages of the special education process, which begins with a referral. 

• Receive and manage referrals: The specialist receives and reviews all referrals, which can come from a teacher, a parent, or another school staff member.
• Ensure compliance: They oversee the initial referral process to ensure that all state and federal guidelines are met and that timelines for evaluation are followed.
• Parent communication: They ensure parents are included in discussions and notified of their rights under federal and state laws. 

• Notify evaluation staff: The specialist notifies school psychologists and other related service providers of pending evaluations.
• Administer assessments: They may administer educational tests for initial eligibility and reevaluations.
• Interpret data: They help interpret evaluation data to determine a student's eligibility for services. 

Once a student is found eligible for special education, the EC program specialist supports the development and implementation of their Individualized Education Program (IEP). 

• Chairing IEP meetings: The specialist often acts as the Local Education Agency (LEA) representative in eligibility and IEP meetings.
• Writing compliant IEPs: They coach and monitor teachers to ensure that all IEPs are properly written and fully compliant with regulations.
• Guiding the team: They provide guidance to the IEP team on policy requirements and best practices when determining appropriate services. 

• Provide instructional support: They offer program and instructional support to teachers, including assistance with classroom management, behavioral strategies, and data collection.
• Monitor IEP implementation: The specialist monitors the implementation of IEPs through informal observations and feedback to ensure students are receiving their mandated services.
• Audit records: They routinely audit student records to ensure all documentation is complete and compliant.
• Disseminate information: They act as a liaison between school staff, the EC department, and parents to facilitate communication and ensure that everyone is kept up-to-date on procedures. 

The EC program specialist's role extends beyond individual cases to include broader administrative and professional development functions.

• Training and mentoring: They train and mentor EC and general education teachers on compliance standards, IEP development, and other special education-related topics.
• Data analysis: They analyze student data to identify program strengths and weaknesses, informing decisions at both the school and district level.
• Advocating for rights: They advocate for the rights of students with disabilities, ensuring that policies and practices are followed to protect those rights.