Special Education and School Nurses
From Assessments to IEPS
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This book is the first of its kind to address the health needs of students in public schools written by an expert school nurse consultant with state-level experience in two states, and an expert former school nurse administrator in a large urban school district and former clinical instructor in a school nursing certification program at a major state university. This book is intended to be used by school nurses to understand the role of school nurse in the special education process and increase knowledge in writing student’s IEP goals for health issues impacting student’s learning. While the authors are currently practicing in the State of Illinois, the information contained in this book can be applied to other states and U.S. territories as most of the information and guidance is based on federal law and best practices. The reader is advised to check federal U.S. Department of Education websites and their own state department of education websites for any laws or regulations that may have been implemented after the date of this publication.
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About the Book
Special Education and School Nurses: From Assessments to IEPs is an essential guide for school nurses navigating the intersection of health and education. Written by two seasoned experts—a veteran school nurse administrator and a former state-level school nurse consultant—this book offers practical tools and deep insight into supporting students with health conditions that impact learning.
As more students enter schools with chronic and complex medical needs, school nurses are vital members of special education teams. This guide helps nurses go beyond routine health histories to identify both known and unrecognized conditions that affect academic performance.
You will learn how to:
- Navigate the special education process from referral through IEP development
- Conduct comprehensive health assessments and write health-related IEP goals
- Apply nursing interventions and instructional techniques that support student outcomes
- Collaborate with educators, families, and administrators to advocate for student needs
Grounded in IDEA, Section 504, FERPA, and evidence-based practice, this manual is applicable across all U.S. states and territories. While written for school nurses, it also serves as a valuable resource for principals, special education coordinators, teachers, and other school staff.
Whether you are new to school nursing or a seasoned professional, this book empowers you to support student health in a way that promotes learning success.
About the Author
Frances Belmonte-Mann, MA, BSN, RN, IL PEL/School Nurse, PEL/ADM, NCSN has been a School Administrator/School Nurse for over 25 years, which she continues to do part-time. She has attended and written over 1,500 IEP (Individual Educational Programs) for students in all educational settings. She has published nursing articles in the Journal of School Nursing. She was former clinical instructor at the University of Illinois – Chicago in the College of Nursing School Nurse Certification Program. Jessica H. Gerdes, MS, BSN, RN, IL PEL/School Nurse, NCSN retired from the Illinois State Board of Education as a school nursing consultant. Prior to her employment in Illinois, she served in a similar position in the North Carolina Department of Public Health. She is a former president of the National Association of State School Nurse Consultants. Her career in school nursing spans 26 years. She is on the adjunct faculty of the Lewis University School Nurse Certification Program.