Lafayette Parish special-education director outlines services, legal requirements and assistive technology

Holly, director of special education for Lafayette Parish, told board members and attendees during a presentation that federal and state law require individualized education programs, related services and periodic reevaluations for students with disabilities.

"People first language is a major thing," Holly said as she opened the presentation, urging officials and families to focus on students rather than labels. She summarized the district's responsibilities under federal and state special-education rules and gave local counts and service details for Lafayette Parish.

The presentation said Lafayette Parish currently identifies 605 students for speech and language services and 4,160 students as receiving special-education services. Holly said the district completed more than 4,427 evaluations last year, including gifted-and-talented screeners, and that the district has 60 business days to complete an evaluation after a parent gives consent.

Holly reviewed the required membership and elements of an individualized education…