In This Issue . . .

• How I Won a Private Placement
• Paper Trails
  
• Wrightslaw Training
• Parent Involvement in Placement

Circulation: 71,821
ISSN: 1538-320

Kim Riley never anticipated she would have to battle or provide testimony before her school board.

But, Kim realized if the district continued to put up road blocks, use stall tactics, and turn a blind eye to the truth, her son and other kids with disabilities would never learn and live up to their potential.

Kim created a paper trail and used her advocacy skills learned at a Wrightslaw Conference to battle the school board. She won a private placement for her son.

In light of yesterday's Supreme Court Opinion and the Wrightslaw alert to you about it, Kim's success story is timely.

In this issue of the Special Ed Advocate you'll find the story of Kim's battle and learn the importance of documenting events.

Please don't hesitate to forward this issue to other friends, families, or colleagues.

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How I Won a Private Placement

By documenting my case and telling my story, I won a private placement for my son, a 6 year old with autism. Wrightslaw gave me the tools to endure a very stressful battle with the Kansas City School District. Two weeks after I made this presentation to the school board, the district entered into a settlement agreement with me.

This story is a summary of that battle.

Good Documentation: Train Yourself to Write Things Down!

When you advocate for a child, you use logs, calendars, and journals to create paper trails. You write letters to clarify events and what you were told.

If you have a dispute with the school, your logs and letters are independent evidence that support your memory. Documents that support your position will help you resolve disputes early.

Take steps to protect your child's interests. Learn how to create a paper trail...

Special Education Law & Advocacy Training

This Wrightslaw Training is being offered at no cost by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council. Parents, families, and guardians of Florida students will be given priority registration.

August 5: Weston (Spanish language translation available)

August 7: Tampa (ASL interpretation available)

August 10: Gainesville

August 12: Chipley

Check out these four cities and dates in August.

If you know others who may be interested in attending one of these programs, please forward this information to them.

On the Blog...

Parental Involvement in Placement Decisions. Courts have held that schools may not predetermine placement. The placement decision must be made by the team.

IDEA Section 1414(e) requires that the school “…ensure that the parents of each child with a disability are members of any group that makes decision on the educational placement of their child." ...more

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