The Wrightslaw Way

Want to become an advocate or fine tune your advocacy skills?
It’s never too late to catch up on Summer School for Advocates at http://www.wrightslaw.com/nltr/09/summer.school.advocates.htm
When you complete the 5 part series, you’ll find your certificate here.
Need A Pocket Manual for Advocates? Get a free download…

Does a teacher or service provider have the right to refuse to be recorded during an IEP meeting? Is there caselaw or code that deals with this?
An IEP meeting should focus on how to provide appropriate education to a child with a disability. There should be no conversation at an IEP meeting that cannot [...]

New Book! Wrightslaw: All About IEPs is at the printer now!
Shipping second week of December                        $12.95    Order now

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, [...]

What a great line - from Special Ed e-News at the Special Ed Connection.
e-News advises that in the panic to write the IEP, cover all the necessary goals, objectives, benchmarks (if applicable), and figure out how to accurately measure progress, the PLOP (present levels of performance) often gets neglected.
If you are into acronyms, the [...]

Don’t miss the fall Parent Education Session at the Special Education Advocacy Clinic at William & Mary Law School - “Keeping Your Child’s IEP on Track.”
Tuesday, November 3, 4:00-5:30 p.m.

It’s free and open to the public.
 
Find out - (1) How to Design a Good IEP, (2) How to….

This time of year the football chant is ringing in our heads - “We’ve got the pow-er!” This year, get some of that advocacy power!
“Key changes in the special education arena this year have given parents more decision-making power regarding their children with special needs. For example…

My child’s IEP said she was to receive ESY services - OT, PT, and Speech Therapy. ST was provided throughout the summer. There was no OT or PT. The district stated it was not able to find therapists. They said I could find a therapist, and I did. Then, the district failed to provide information [...]

Good question from Marissa on the Community Helpline today.
I had an IEP meeting with my son’s school on Monday. I didn’t agree with it, but signed it. How many days do I have to revise his IEP?
You have a right to request an IEP meeting to review and revise your child’s IEP at any time. [...]

If you are a parent of a child who has an IEP, you know that schools must ensure equal access to educational opportunities for students with disabilities and provide a free, appropriate public education (FAPE).
What happens if your child’s school must close for an extended period because of an outbreak of swine flu? Is [...]

Act today to share your concerns about:

Closing the disability achievement gap
Ensuring a meaningful education that enables every child to succeed
Meaningful parent participation in IEP meetings and as equals in educational planning
Using effective, research based programs and highly qualified teachers
Restraint/seclusion

Do it today! Email deadline for comments/concerns is Wednesday, September 9 by 5:00 pm EDT
Email [...]