The Wrightslaw Way

Can a parent request that the school use exactly the same tests when evaluating a student for his triennial IEP?  We want the same tests conducted to compare progress.
No, there is no requirement or regulation that a school use the same tests. If a parent requests this, it’s very unlikely that a school would comply.

I am a high school psychologist. What is the law for students who have already been tested 2 times. Colleges and our state Voc/Ed  Services tell me I need to do a WAIS AND achievement testing every three years - no matter what -  even if the student is placed appropriately.
1) When should I do [...]

New Book! Wrightslaw: All About IEPs is at the printer now!
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Answers more than 200 frequently asked questions & introduces key legal issues
Outlines your rights & responsibilities and explains the law in plain language you can understand
Provides the reference source of information, the law, regulation, [...]

My son is deaf and low functioning. What are the laws regarding using an interpreter as a teacher? My son’s education team feels that this is appropriate. I don’t. What is the guidance on this?
Interpreters are not teachers. It is ridiculous that an IEP team would design an education plan that does not specify [...]

Did you receive academic test results for your child that were much lower than you expected?
In some cases parents say they received no scores for certain subjects or were told their child “either scored so low she could not be graded or she was not given the test.”
What can you do? First, focus on [...]

My child has struggled in school for years. He hasn’t failed because we provide private tutoring and work with him at home. We asked the school for special ed services. They say he is not eligible because he does not have failing grades. Is this correct?
Nope. The law says just the opposite . . . [...]

What can you do if a school team refuses to evaluate a child?
What can you do if the school team insists that an evaluation will not provide relevant information for educational planning?

When the school doesn’t want to test a child, can you force them to evaluate?

Did your child have a great school year? Did your child make progress this year? Will your child make a major transition next year?
Here are some great tips for wrapping up the school year, reviewing your child’s program and services, and steps you can take to plan for a successful year next fall.
1. Visit the [...]

In January, Pete and I became adjunct professors at the William & Mary Law School. We teach a Special Education Law and Advocacy class and assist the Law School with the new PELE Special Education Advocacy Clinic.
Jack is a student in our Special Ed Law class. Jack and his wife have concerns about their daughter’s [...]

My extremely intelligent son is dyslexic. Without help from your web site about how to deal with the school, he would still be ignored. The school would still be telling us parents that he’s lazy, needs to apply himself, etc. I have some advice for other parents who are getting started.