Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of Detroit

Special Education Department

Procedures for Determination for Specific Learning Disabilities
Parent Information

Parents are an important proponent of the program and development that affect the lives of the Nataki Talibah students. Parents also have a role in assisting the children who have learning disabilities by working with professionals and learning about strategies for dealing with specific learning disabilities.

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 important changes as to how schools identify children with disabilities are determined eligible for specific learning disabled. Based on current research, Wayne County Schools are using new methods of assessment and instruction to monitor and maintain the academic progress of all students. To determine the existence of a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of Detroit following the Wayne County Committee for Specific Learning Disabilities Guidance Document (2009), utilizes both the Response to Intervention (RtI) and Patterns of Strengths and Weakness (PSW) model to look for patterns of consistencies among a combination of cognitive and academic skills that directly relate to one another within broader and otherwise normal ability profile.

Response to Intervention
With the Response to Intervention (RtI) method, all students are screened using evidence-based assessments. Student progress is monitored systematically and the instructional interventions are adjusted to teach the skills necessary for the student to demonstrate sufficient progress toward age and grade level standards. Based on the student’s response to the intervention, decisions are made by the group to determine whether or not the student demonstrates a specific learning disability.

Patterns of Strengths and Weakness
The Patterns of Strengths and Weakness (PSW) method requires use of, State approved grade level standards or intellectual development using appropriate assessments to analyze the student’s patterns of strengths and weakness in performance or achievement or both when compared to age.

As a participant of the Nataki Talibah Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation Team (MET) and the Individualized Education Planning Team (IEPT) all parents must be informed for further discussion and planning. Parents can find more information on the RtI and PSW approach that Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of Detroit use in a WCRESA trifold SLD brochure which is posted on the web at:

http://www.resa.net/downloads/special_education/trifold_brochure_for_parents_20100415_081414_4.pdf