In Indiana, children three years of age and older who need significant modifications in their educational programs may be eligible for special-education services through their school district. I asked Rich Burden, executive director of IN*SOURCE in South Bend, to give us a quick overview of special education in Indiana and suggest some things parents can do to get started.

Who should a parent in Indiana contact about having a child classified for special education?

Either the parent, the First Steps agency, or another public agency may contact the school serving the child's address to request an educational evaluation to determine if the child is eligible for Indiana special education and related services.

Parents can make this request to a school principal, administrator, or other licensed personnel.

What does special education look like in Indiana?

Special-education services in Indiana, as in all states, are provided according to the individual student's need. Each student eligible for special-education services has an annual case conference committee (CCC) meeting, which includes the student's parents and sometimes the student as well as school professionals. The CCC develops the student's individualized education program and determines whether the student will be educated in a general-education classroom, a self-contained classroom, or some combination of both. Some private and charter schools specifically address the needs of children with special learning needs.

Do you have any advice about special education in Indiana?

Parents who experience concerns or confusion about special education services can contact IN*SOURCE, Indiana's resource center for families with special needs, at 800-332-4433.

IN*SOURCE provides free assistance to families who need to know more about the law and their rights to special education services in Indiana, as well as information and training about ways to work with their school to help their child.
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About IN*SOURCE: The mission of IN*SOURCE is to provide parents, families, and service providers in Indiana the information and training necessary to assure effective educational programs and appropriate services for children and young adults with disabilities. IN*SOURCE provides parent-to-parent support to parents with questions and concerns about special education through phone consultation, case conference committee support, and regular training and education opportunities. At www.insource.org, parents can use the staff directory to locate the regional program specialist who provides parent-to-parent support in their area. Parents also can view extensive IN*SOURCE training opportunities about topics related to special education, both online and throughout the state. For more information and interaction, parents can connect with an online community and find ways to get involved through volunteering and contributing.