Oh my gosh, talk about alphabet soup. What are these acronyms and words that people keep talking about? IEP, ETR? Please help!
Here are some common terms and definitions that are thrown around in this group and in these educational circles:
What is the Jon Peterson Scholarship?
This is a scholarship available to Ohio students who homeschool or attend a private school AND have an IEP starting in grades K-12. This provides $9,545-$32,445 a year that the family can put towards therapies and private schooling (NOT towards materials or supplies)
What is the Autism Scholarship?
This is a scholarship available to Ohio students who homeschool or attend a private school AND have an IEP in the area of autism (or a medical diagnosis of autism) and is available starting at age 3. This provides $32,445 a year that the family can put towards therapies and private schooling (NOT towards materials or supplies)
What is an AEP?
This is an Autism Education Plan available to students who have a medical diagnosis but do not qualify for an IEP in the area of autism (yes, this is confusing- more posts coming on this topic in the future)
What is a director of Student Services?
This is the person in your local school district of residence that is in charge of special education. They may also be called Director of Pupil Services. This is the person that oversees special education and knows the special education laws the best (hopefully!). You can find this person by googling the name of your school district plus "director of student services"
What is an IEP?
An IEP is an acronym for "Individual Education Plan". An IEP is a document that the school creates for a student with an educational disability. The document lists what special education services they will receive (intervention services, speech therapy, etc) as well as lists specific goals that the student will work on this year. Your child must have an IEP in order to apply for Jon Peterson or Autism Scholarship
What is an ETR?
An ETR (Evaluation Team Report) is the evaluation that the school district does on your child at the beginning of this process. It's only done if they "suspect an educational disability" (is this issue causing problems with their education). The school meets with the parent to go over the results and the team together decides if the child "qualifies" or needs an IEP.
What is a Scholarship Provider?
A scholarship provider is a person who is a therapist, business or school who provides a service that can be paid for by Jon Peterson or Autism Scholarship. The process in becoming a scholarship provider is somewhat intensive, so not all therapists/schools are scholarship providers. A list of providers can be found on the ODEW website.
What is a service?
A service is a direct therapy or intervention provided to a student. Examples of "direct services" including intervention services (help with academics/tutoring given by a special education teacher called an Intervention Specialist), Speech therapy, Occupational therapy, etc.
How do I apply for either scholarship?
Once your child has an IEP, find a scholarship provider. The scholarship provider will give you the scholarship application and submit the application on your behalf and walk you through the paperwork needed.
Does the parent have to pay for therapies?
The scholarship sends checks directly to providers, so parents do not need to pay for services unless the bills exceed the amount of the scholarship.
For more information visit:
Jon Peterson Official Site:
https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Other-Resources/Scholarships/Jon-Peterson-Special-Needs-Scholarship
Autism Scholarship Official site: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Other-Resources/Scholarships/Autism-Scholarship