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37 responses so far ↓
IEP GOALS UNCHANGED FOR 2 YRS
Caprice, unfortunately schools get stuck using the same goals year after year. This has happened to us. We put together some goals we thought were appropriate to our son & brought them to the IEP meeting to get them incorporated. We brought up the fact that the goals seemed to be unchanged from the previous year. We were able to get the goals updated. The best bet is to get an IEP meeting together & discuss.
DUE PROCESS ISSUES
Miranda, Yes but you better be sure you can prove this with strong evidence or it could be disasterous.
TESTS ADMINISTERED ONE PAGE AT A TIME
Kendra, My children also got extended time but got the test all at once. In college my son takes his math tests over a 2 day period because of the stress level. It has helped reduce his stress but the test is not delivered one page at at time.
That does sound ridiculous.
TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS – COMPLAINT
Miranda. Did you send a reminder letter? They may have lost the original letter. You can call the board office to request this information also. There should be no problem getting this information. I complaint may not be necessary yet until you have exhausted all options to get this information.
SCHOOL ENDED IEP
Hala, First of all the school cannot make a change of placement without the entire team agreeing to it. Did you sign the IEP? You don’t have to. You can disagree & they need to provide you with a prior written notice letter as to why they want to do this. Did you request the evaluation in writing & sign the consent form so they have to perform the evaluation in 60 days? You can also get documentation from your physicians that help your cause. That can go far.
SERVICES BEFORE KINDERGARTEN – NOW ELIGIBLE FOR IEP?
Jennifer, My son also got services prior to kindergarten. Once that was over & he was going to first grade the school did another evaluation to determine if the services were still needed. Once they did the evaluation we met & it was decided to put him on an IEP because he still needed services. You can request in writing to have this done & make sure you sign their consent form as the 60 day requirement to get the testing done does not start until the consent form is signed.
HOW TO GET SCHOOL TO ACCEPT NEW READING METHOD TO TEACH MY CHILD
Julie, We got the school to accept paying for an outside tutor to teach our dyslexic son who was 6 years behind in reading. She used the Wilson method & the Alphabetic PHonics reading method & now he is reading at college level. He is 23 now. At 15 he was reading at first grade. We requested an evaluation from the school that showed that he did not progress in reading over a period of the entire school year with extensive help. Unfortunately my son had to show failure in order to prove he needed a different reading approach. I had the tutor that the school ended up paying for do an assessment & it showed that David could improve by the program. The school agreed to sending my son to her because no one in the school could provide the service & paid for transportation. I think it was cheaper for them to do this than to go to court.
EFFECTIVE DATES (& OTHER PROBLEMS) AT IEP
HELPME: I agree with you. I believe the effective dates for an IEP are one year. One time we had an IEP meeting in December after a requested evaluation and the effective dates ended up being from December to December which they are usually September to June. Remember you do not have to sign the IEP or you can put on the IEP that you disagree with items on it. Once you do this the school must provide you with Prior Written Notice letter. You can take a copy of the IEP home, mark it up & reschedule a new IEP meeting & bring a professional with you (ie speech, OT, physician, psychologist, etc) or an attorney if this gets that bad although I always wait until there is no other options before I hire an attorney. Stick to your guns. YOu have a say so & and they cannot bully you.
TESTS ADMINISTERED ONE PAGE AT A TIME
The first place, if you have not already done so, is sit down with your child and role play a discussion with the teacher about her concerns and suggested ideas. This promotes self advocacy. She must go in with a plan with alternative solutions which are comfortable for her. I know teachers who use the one page at a time but if it is not working for your daughter have her work with the teacher or you can talk to the teacher as long as you have alternatives to bring to the table. Seems like the teacher is trying. Sometimes, it is simply just a conversation.
DUE PROCESS ISSUES
If district personnel have mechanically forged parent signatures onto documents and falsified documents, such as consents to IEPs and evaluations, are these acts addressed in due process?
STANDARD SCORES ON WOODCOCK ACHIEVEMENT
From kindergarden until fifth gr. many of his standard scores have consistently gone down year to year.One or two have gone up when more/different intervention is used. I state that he is regressing compared to himself and they say no he isn’t. I thought with proper intervention these scores are supposed to remain the same. The school maintains that to go by raw score and grade equivalent to show their progress. Is there any time when they would be accurate? Am I in left field?
TESTS ADMINISTERED ONE PAGE AT A TIME
My ADHD high schooler has an IEP and gets extended time on tests. The teachers give her the tests one page at a time in case she needs to use the extended time. This is embarrassing to her. It really does not seem right to me.
TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS – COMPLAINT
Over the course of 6 weeks, we have asked in writing that district personnel provide teacher and para qualifications and received nothing. Who do we file a complaint with?
EFFECTIVE DATES (& OTHER PROBLEMS) AT IEP
Help Me: this has happened to many of us. Write a polite letter stating what occurred during the meeting. Try to state just the facts in chronological order. Do not let emotion dominate the letter tone. In a week or two (or maybe at the start of the new yr) ask them to schedule an IEP meeting. Once the meeting is scheduled & you know who will attend, inform them that you will be audio recording all IEP meetings. 10 days before the mtg. provide the district with your agenda to be added to theirs. Before the start of the meeting, inform everyone that you will be audio recording & that you are happy to provide them a copy of the audio recording or they can record the meeting as well. If you can find an advocate to accompany you, do so. This person serves as someone who can speak calmly to your child’s needs as well as a witness..
SCHOOL ENDED IEP
I have an 8 year old in second grade in Public Schools in Michigan. On Tuesday May 14, 2013 my son was removed his IEP the district stated that his physical disability no longer affects him in his educational performance therefore he was removed. I requested an IEE and I am currently waiting for a response on that if it will be approved or not. I am unsure what to do after the IEE.
His physical impairment is that after 80 different corrective surgeries he now can walk around. He has popliteal pterygium syndrome so his knees are in a contracted position looks like legs are bent. His left leg is much shorter than the right, causing him to be extremely tired when he walks for a long period of time. He also has a cleft plate and cleft lip so his speech can be difficult to understand.
Any ideas?
SCHOOL NEGLIGENCE
My son is twelve yyears old currantly in 6th grade and failing. His school never informed us of a medical plan for him ,or a 504 plan for him ,until recently. in April they had me bring documentation from our doctor everything they signed all the paperwork on April 28,2013 .Now here’s my dilemma,they want to hold him back still in the sixth grade, Once theyve signed everything doesn’t become a binding contract and they have to abide by it? They tell me no and they can still hold him back. I’m very frustrated Dont know what to do. I had mtg yesterday which I was told it was supposed to be to discuss the 504 plan. they only had bits and pieces ready for him. they told me they didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t believe it. aren’t they the ones as the school that are supposed to know about these things? PLEASE HELP
PLACEMENT PROBLEMS
My 5yr.old son suffers from a Traumatic Brain Injury,he was only in kindergarten 2 mths b4 the injury. He’s a different boy now w many issues. I moved to get him “special accommodations”in a city that SUPPOSED to be great w IEPS,504. I was told he’d b evaluated immediately+b in a class of only 3-4kids. over stimulation is a huge problem for him. After 6 mths of bedrest he started school but because of his intelligence+w/o notifying me, they placed him in young 5′s w 24kids, I’m furious. Going to a meeting today at 2pm finding out y he wasn’t evaluated+he still goes to OT,PT,SPT,THERAPIST out of school. They r ignoring his TBI because of his intellect! I’ve been doing research+they CAN’T do this,any info on in area?? Thank you
IEP GOALS UNCHANGED FOR 2 YRS
I have twin daughters in the 5th grade M/M special day class. They transferred at the end of last year from a severely handicap class.
1. IEP Goals are the same since 2011
2. Assessments show growth but goals are the same
3. Minimal documentation or lack -documentation exists from 2011
4. My daughters come home distressed- para claps her hands loudly , gets in heir face and tells them to focus( tone of voice is elevated)
I am concerned because their goals have not changed. I don’t feel that they are getting their needs met. My concern is that they will push aside concerns as they have done before. How can I ensure that new goals will be formed and my children will be respected.
ENROLLED IN A SPECIAL DAY CLASS – NO IEP
I wanted to ask if a student can be enrolled in a Special Day class with no IEP or 504 plan. This student may be a harm to other students in the class, as he has behavioral issues the current students do not. The director unilaterally decided to enroll this student in the Special Day class, as their solution to this student’s needs. However, he was assessed, and at the IEP it was decided he does not qualify for special education services.
SERVICES BEFORE KINDERGARTEN – NOW ELIGIBLE FOR IEP?
My daughter is 5 and entering kindergarten in the fall. She has been receiving services from the school district through PSSE for speech. She has a severe articulation delay with a 15% intelligibility. She is also receiving OT services for SPD, Auditory Processing, Visual Processing, Vestibular deficiency, Touch Sensitivity as well…to name a few. She was also approved for summer services for both speech and OT. For kindergarten we are only being offered informal services instead of an IEP, which I feel is necessary. I have to meet with the head of Student Services to plead her case. Am I wrong in thinking that she is eligible? Where do I begin?
EFFECTIVE DATES (& OTHER PROBLEMS) AT IEP
I attended an IEP meeting today and the Special Education Director very abruptly started taking out goals and services for my child. Goals and services that were recommended by the Intervention Specialist, teachers and therapists and was part of the draft IEP they presented to us. We objected repeatedly, tried to present our arguments and they just kept cutting us off and refused to listen. They also changed the IEP effective dates, making the IEP effective for only 6 months. They did not listen to us and said they could do whatever they wanted. Has this ever happened to anyone else? I have not been able to find anything in my Wrightslaw Special Education Law book stating that the effective dates can be anything other than one year. Any advice?
SCHOOL NEGLIGENCE IMPLEMENTING 504 PLAN
My son is graduating GPA2.9759 this year (TX). He was diagnosed with ADHD/ gifted in 2nd grade. Our doctor mention about 504 plan and we asked elementry school counselor to put hm n 504. She said ok but didn’t talk much about help he can get. He struggled all his school life that affects him academically and socially . Because sometimes 504 was not implemented OR with couple of accommodations. He lost confidence in him and low self esteem. He is a bright and intellegent student, took all Pre AP/AP classes and did well even though 504 was not helpful. I came to know about 10 weeks ago that if we help him just a little he can graduate with Honors. Because of un cooperative behavior of school administrators we both lost confidence that he can graduate with Honors. His GPA was 2.93.. Needed 3.0 for Honors. I asked help from school but nobody would help. What can I do?
RETENTION LETTER
Janice, WE had been asked to retain our sons different times during their school years. 2 of my son’s have ADD & dyslexia, 1 has ADHD & SLD. We never allowed the school to retain any of them. My husband had been retained & never forgot it his whole life. It is an upsetting thing to the child. All we had to do was tell the school we did not want them to retain our children & that was it. We never had to put anything in writing. We always felt like they wanted to retain our children to make it easier on them to reach the goals instead of doing the work required to have them progress. All of my sons are now grown up & doing well & thank me for not retaining them.
HOW TO GET SCHOOL TO ACCEPT NEW READING METHOD TO TEACH MY CHILD
I have a son in 2nd grade with ADHD and Dyslexia who has been receiving spec educ for 1.4 years in reading. In the classroom, he is testing at first Q_1st grade for reading and last Q_Kindergarten for writing. We had a private assessment done which showed he is 1 to 3 SD below the mean for read/writ. They tell us that “he is making progress” and he is a “slow learner”. He has not moved a single reading level in the past 10 months. The school only uses reading mastery as their curric. and refuse to change. We hired a private tutor who uses the wilson method and he has shown a little progress in a short time. This proves to us that the curric is the problem. Any advice on how to get the school to accept they need a new method to teach our child?
DETENTION CENTER NOT ANSWER TO ANGER ISSUES
My son is autistic with anger issues. He had an instance on a short bus where he hit a bus monitor. The school has told me that they are recommending a strict detention center. I expect elevated frequency of anger issues at this location. I wish to challenge this ruling. My question is: can I keep him out of the detention center until the appeal without truancy or other difficulties.
RETENTION LETTER:
Janice: We can’t provide a “protest” letter. A story-telling letter is the way to make your case. You’ll find a sample retention letter at this link. This letter describes the parents’ concerns about the proposal to retain their child. The tone of the letter is polite and businesslike. The letter does not blame school personnel or criticize. Instead, the parents describe their concerns about their child’s lack of progress, their concerns about the school’s proposal to retain her, and proposes a solution to the child’s problems. http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/retain.letter.htm
RETENTION LETTER
I need help writing a protest letter for my daughter’s retention in 2nd grade. She is not immature and is one of the oldest in her class. She has been diagnosed with ADD and has just recently been put on meds. She has an IEP and is showing improvement but they want to retain her. I don’t feel this will help and no matter how I put a positive light on it, she is upset.
FAILING ART STUDENT
There is a special needs child in our school district that was failed by an art teacher. The child was required to take art again the next semester because of the failing grade. I am disturbed and appalled by this!! I want to know if there is anything I can do to make sure this doesn’t happen again in the future!
18 YEAR OLD vs PARENTAL/GUARDIAN RIGHTS & CONSEQUENCES for SCHOOL
I am a parent advocate being asked to support an 18 year old EI student.
Q#1: IF a school has acted wrongly in suspending an EI student with a social behavior plan attending a segregated school building, and when a manifestation meeting is held to reinstate the student from this ‘indefinite’ suspension, is there any consequence or ‘slap on the hand’ that can be administered to the school?
Q#2: What is regulation regarding parental/guardian rights with an 18 year old student with a label of EI? This student appears to need to stay in school (even until age 26) but it appears to me she is being nudged out. It has been made clear to her that she is her ‘own adult’ and while she wants to be making her own choices, she is asking for advice from her grandparents and me (an advocate). I am providing confidentiality releases so the school will address us at a meeting. Since this girl is 18, the school is not allowing anyone to make decisions for her. She is not emancipated. Her grandparents did not have legal custody at any point but she lives with them.
CANNOT SPEAK FOR SELF
Recently, my autistic 12 yr old started repeating a “demeaning saying” & hitting self, doing this right after school each day, I feel bullying is going on,but was told by school,if it wasn,t witnessed,it didn,t happen.Child now refuses to go to school. What can I do? What rights are there for this child? ( is mostly non verbal!&has 1 ON 1 aid).
child.
NOT ENTITLED TO 504 BECAUSE OF GOOD GRADES
I keep running into this issue, and I can’t seem to find a concrete answer. Is a student who has been diagnosed with a “disability” as defined by Section 504 (ie. anxiety and/or slow processing speed), but nevertheless gets good grades, still entitled to a 504 plan with 504 accommodations? This is the second case I’ve had where a student has slow processing, which leads to anxiety and even panic attacks during timed tests. Nevertheless, the student gets mostly As, but is an emotional wreck. The school is saying she is not entitled to a 504 plan because of her “outstanding grades” and the challenging classes she is taking, and is offering a “Student Support Plan” instead. What is my argument here?
IEPs ALIGNED WITH COMMON CORE STANDARDS
I have iep meetings coming up for high school and elementary kids. Common core and how ieps are aligned with it is my concern. Are there any red flags to watch for? What are the biggest changes to this? I think its tying curriculum standards to the iep, as well as this self teaching approach within it. Would love some insight from those who have been down this road already. Thanks Deb
OT ASSESSMENT
I have a 14 year old child with Tourettes and she was given a independent evaluation from John Hopkins. John Hopkins recommended an OT evaluation. The school gave her one and I disagree with the report. The report was demeaning to my daughter and to the doctors from John Hopkins. In addition, the school has refused to provide her with any OT services.
What are my options? What do I do about the report that I disagree with?
PRIVATE DUTY NURSING
Our son has private duty nurses that goes to school with him. Our son uses a communication device to speak but is in the process of learning how to put sentences together. The school has informed us that nurses are not allowed to speak to us in regards to what happens during the school day. They can only tell us what happens medically. Our son is unable to inform us of what happens during the day right now and our nurses are the only option. His nurses are employed by us and not the school district. We wouldn’t know a lot of information unless the nurses tell us and when a teacher emails us it is always to complain and not collaborate. How do we reply back to the school with our concerns regarding their demand?
SCHOOL QUESTIONING MY SON ABOUT HIS DIAGNOSIS AND MEDS
The school psychologist as part of her giving me 15 year old son an updated psychological test asked him if he has ADHD,.also asked him what meds he is on..how many he takes and also for what reason..Is this legal to ask a minor. Am I required under any law that I MUST give psychotropic med info such as dose, times given etc..school doesn’t give him meds.. I do at home..I feel they are over interegating..I have in past given school name of meds he’s on and MD name and his diagnosis,,seems they want a lot of details they don’t need under law. I’m feeling uncomfortable..is what they are doing legal? Thanks
CHILD FIND
I am very concerned about what I feel is a total disregard for Child Find within my school district. It took 5 years of advocating before the district would evaluate my child. Now I am finding out from more parents that they have children who have a diagnosis (ADHD, Asperger’s, etc.) and the school verbally tells them no evaluation, no help. I tell every parent that has told me this to get a copy of IDEA and to come to the Wrightslaw web site for help. I told them they have to request an evaluation in writing. The district just went through an audit by the Ohio Dept of Ed last year and have received extensive Spec. Ed training. These episodes have occurred this school year after the training. Do you think talking to ODE or filing a complaint with ODE for violating Child Find is reasonable? Thanks!
PULLED OUT OF SCIENCE FOR RTI READING
My son gets pulled out of science to go to RTI reading. He gets sent home with homework from what he missed in science. Hard to get a child with a LD to do more homework than other kids. Is this wrong for me to have to teach him what he missed?