Achievement First is developing formalized special education data processes and guidance documents. They are conducting a needs assessment of current practices and evaluating timelines. In October, they will evaluate current referral, evaluation, IEP and review processes. In November, they will modify these processes, producing guidelines, flowcharts and other materials. In December, they will train staff, rollout a trial system in one school, get feedback, and evaluate. The goal is to provide clear and compliant special education processes and guidance across the Achievement First network.

2. DEVELOPING & FORMALIZING
SPECIAL EDUCATION DATA
PROCESSES

3. PREPARATION & DESIGN PHASE:
WHAT ARE YOU SPENDING YOUR TIME DOING ?
CONDUCT NEEDS ASSESSMENT
How do students get
referred ?
How are special ed
students & programs
evaluated ?
What’s working ?
What’s not ?
Survey school-based/
network
staff
What system now
in place ?

4. PREPARATION & DESIGN PHASE:
WHAT ARE YOU SPENDING YOUR TIME DOING ?
O C T O B E R T I ME L I N E :
E V A L U A T E A C H I E V E M E N T F I R S T ’ S C U R R E N T
S P E C I A L E D U C AT I O N D AT A P R O C E S S E S
WHAT REFERRAL, EVALUATION, IEP DEVELOPMENT, & REVIEW PROCESS IS IN PLACE ?
• How are students identified/referred? How is problem behavior identified?
• Who/Which team initiates the identification/referral process?
• Once referral is initiated, who participates in determining eligibility for special education services?
How is eligibility determined?
• How is IEP developed?
• Before referral, what support system/interventions are in place for students?
• What pre-referral interventions are in place? Pre-Referral Interventions Manual 4th Ed. 2014
• What type of special education students are currently enrolled in Achievement First’s Network
schools? What is the breakdown by category (i.e. Autistic, Other Health Impairment, Emotionally
Disturbed, etc.)?
• Is NYCDOE SESIS data system used? If not, what system is used to log, track, and develop IEP
process?

5. PREPARATION & DESIGN PHASE:
WHAT ARE YOU SPENDING YOUR TIME DOING ?
N O V E MB E R T I ME L I N E :
M O D I F Y / D E V E L O P A C H I E V E M E N T F I R S T ’ S
S P E C I A L E D U C AT I O N D AT A P R O C E S S E S –
P R O D U C E G U I D E L I N E S & O T H E R D E L I V E R A B L E S
Modify/Develop guidance documents, process flowcharts, checklists for the following processes:
• PRE-REFERRAL
• REFERRAL
• EVALUATION
• DEVELOPING & CONDUCTING THE IEP
• DETERMINING SERVICES/RECOMMENDATION
• REVIEWING SERVICES/PROGRAMS
• Create Pre-Referral Educators Interventions Guide
• Create Educators Intervention Guide for Students Already in
Special Education/Integrated-Co Teaching (ICT)/Inclusion

6. DEVELOP & TEST PHASE:
WHAT ARE YOU SPENDING YOUR TIME DOING ?
D E C EMB E R T I M E L I N E :
C O N D U C T T R A I N I N G , R O L L - O U T T R I A L S Y S T EM
DELIVERABLES PRODUCED
• Demonstrate Use of Deliverables with Network Staff
• Preview Use of Deliverables with Select School-Based Staff
• Train/Implement Use of Deliverables with One School/
One Class as a Trial Run
• Evaluate Trial Run Process
• Review Feedback from Trial Run

7. RESOURCE ALLOCATION
What resources will you use?
Human Capital & Schools:
• AF School-Based Staff
• AF Network-Based Staff
• NYCDOE Charter School
& Accountability Support
Staff
• NY City Charter School
Center Staff
• NY Center for Autism
Charter School
• KIPP NYC Network
Reference Guides, Books, & Websites:
• NY City Charter School Center
• NY City Special Education Collaborative
• New York State Education Department –
Office of Special Education
• Connecticut State Department of Education – Bureau of Special Education
Resources (BSE)
• Rhode Island Department of Education – Special Education
• NYC Standards Operating Procedure Manual (SOPM), 2009
• NYCDOE’s 2014-15 Special Education & 504 Plan Compliance Checklist
• NYCDOE’s ELL Guide to Success
• Pre-Referral Intervention Manual (PRIM), 4th Ed., 2014
• Data Without Tears: How to Write Measurable Educational Goals and Collect
Meaningful Data, 2010
• Aligning IEPs to the Common Core State Standards, 2011

8. STAKEHOLDERS INPUT
WHAT STAKEHOLDERS WILL YOU SEEK
INPUT/GUIDANCE FROM ?
• AF Principals
• AF Teachers (ICT and General Education)
• AF Deans of Culture
• AF Academic & Curriculum Deans/Directors
• AF Social Workers/Counselors
• AF Network Staff
• AF Parents
• NYCDOE

9. WHAT GUIDANCE WILL YOU DEVELOP ?
GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS - DELIVERABLES
• Work Flow Process Charts/Documents - outlines steps for
students needing special services
• Pre-Referral Guide for Network & School-Based Staff
• Referral Guide for Network & School-Based Staff
• Guidance Documents for Each Step of Process
(i.e. referral, evaluation, IEP meeting, determination, review etc.)
• FAQ for Parents/Guardians
• Referral Process Guide for Parents/Guardians
• Quality Control Checklist for School-Based & Network Staff

10. WHAT GUIDANCE WILL YOU DEVELOP?
Example of Work Flow Process Chart

11. WHAT GUIDANCE WILL YOU DEVELOP ?
SAMPLE AF GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
AF SPECIAL EDUCATION STAFF GUIDE: Table of
Contents/Sections
Introduction – Laws & Regulations Preparing/Planning/Conducting The
IEP Meeting - Part 3
Pre-Referral Process
Referral Process - Part 1
Determining
Services/Recommendation – Part 4
Evaluation/Assessment Process –
Part 2
Reviewing Services/Programs –
Part 5

12. PILOT ROLL OUT
HOW WILL YOU KNOW THE PILOT IS READY TO
ROLL OUT ACROSS THE NETWORK?
• Initiate with Informational Timeline for Roll Out (Trial & Full Launch)
• Conduct Trial Run/Roll Out With One School/Class
• Evaluate Feedback from Trial Run
(i.e. Training, Helpfulness of Guidance Documents, Implementation, etc.)
• Make Adjustments/Modifications Based on Trial Run
• Process & Distribute Guidance Documents to Network & School-Based
Staff, Parents, other Stakeholders, etc.
• Conduct Staff Training through Webinars, etc.
• Inform Stakeholders About Program Launch