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Parent Threats - Refusing
to Sign the IEP
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I wrote an e-mail to my child’s teacher saying that I will not
sign the next IEP if they do not give my child extra services.
IDEA does
not require parents to "sign" an IEP. Threatening to not sign
an IEP does not really mean much. Also, if you do not sign the IEP,
others may think you agree to it.
You have an absolute right to disagree with the IEP. Do not sit on that
right. If you disagree with the IEP, go ahead and sign it, but put a
note below or to the side of your name saying that your signature does
not mean that you agree with the IEP.
Read my article, Why
Do Schools Draw Lines in the Sand? Understanding the Playing Field,
Power Struggles, Schools Meetings & Follow Up Letters.
I also
recommend that you take good notes.
If taking notes is hard for you,
take a tape recorder. Do NOT surprise the school. Send a note to the
IEP team coordinator advising that you will be taping the meeting. Offer
to provide a copy of the tape to the school.
After you
leave the meeting, write a summary of all the things you asked for at
your child’s IEP meeting. Write down the things that the school
agreed to do and the things the school did not agree to do. Sign and
date the note. Keep a copy for your file.
After the meeting, send a polite note to the person who chairs your
child’s IEP meeting. Thank the team for meeting with you. Attach
your summary of what the school agreed to and did not agree to. If important
issues were not resolved, request another meeting.
From Emotions
to Advocacy has tips about how to prepare for meetings, how to use
a Parent Agenda and IEP Meeting Worksheet (see Chapters 25 and 26) and
how to write a letter to the IEP team about issues that were not resolved
(see Chapters 24 and 25) - these chapters include many sample letters
that you can tailor to your circumstances.
Read more Ask
the Advocate articles by Pat Howey.
Meet
Pat Howey
 Pat
Howey is an advocate who has helped parents obtain special education
services for their children with disabilities since 1986. She also helps
parents resolve special education disputes with their school districts.
Pat has a B.A. in Paralegal Studies from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
where she graduated with honors.
She is an active member of the Council
of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). The Learning Disabilities Association of Indiana honored Pat with its Outstanding Service Award for her commitment and compassion towards students with disabilities.
As
a member of the Wrightslaw
Speakers Bureau, Pat provides training for parents, educators, and
others who want to ensure that children receive quality special education
services.
Wrightslaw programs are designed to meet the needs of parents, educators,
health care providers, advocates, and attorneys who represent children
with disabilities.
"Changing
the World -- One Child at at Time."
Contact
Information
Pat
Howey
Special Education Consulting
POB 117
West Point, Indiana 47992-0117
Website: patriciahowey.com
Email: patricia.howey@gmail.com
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