The Special Ed Advocate
Top 10 in 2020 . . . and What's Your Plan?
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This issue is a 3 minute read (674 words).
If you are like millions of parents, you've been counting the days until your child's school reopened for in-person learning.
America's virtual learning experiment is off to a rocky start.
Three of Texas’ largest school districts were hit with technical problems on the first day of classes, as were school systems in Idaho and Kansas, AP reports.
North Carolina’s platform crashed on the first day of classes last month.
Seattle’s system crashed last week.
Only 19% of children have in-person school every day, with another 18% in hybrid formats. (Source: Axios PM.)
An estimated 62% of American school children are starting the year virtually. Many others face a similar fate if virus caseloads in their communities rise.
Don't under-estimate this virus -- it's devious. Reopening schools for safe in-person learning is complicated. Staying open is incredibly difficult, even with strict safety measures.
As schools open and close, you need a clear sense of the issues that are important and those that will resolve in time. The law and regulations about special education, including IEPs, have not changed.
In this issue of the Special Ed Advocate, we answer your questions and provide useful strategies:
why can't I trust the school to do what's right for my child? managing parent-school disputes during the COVID-19 pandemic;
Pop-Up: Resolving Parent-School Disputes;
how to be a more effective advocate for your child, and
more COVID-19 resources from Wrightslaw.
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Why Can't I Trust the School to Do What's Right?
Managing Parent-School Disputes During the COVID-19 Pandemic
"Between COVID-19, job stress, school closures, virtual school, and a child who lost skills and regressed, we've been through the wringer."
"Now my child's team wants me to consent to providing all special education and related services on the school's 'virtual platform.' I don't agree that virtual learning will meet my child's needs or provide him with an appropriate education."
"The team says if I don't give my consent, my child will receive no services at all."
Advocate Pat Howey answers this parent's questions and provides other strategies you can use to become a more effective advocate for your child.
In Why Can't I Trust the School to Do What's Right? Managing Parent-School Disputes During the COVID-19 Pandemic, you learn . . .
why disagreements turn into power struggles;
about parent power and how to use your power wisely;
how to stand up as an equal team member; and
about the power of your written opinion after an IEP meeting.
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/virus.trust.howey.htm
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Resolving Parent-School Disputes Pop-Up Tool
If you have questions about resolving problems with the school, take a look at the Resolving Disputes Pop-Up Tool.
The Resolving Disputes Pop-Up Tool has 12 Questions and Answers.
Question #1. "I don't agree with the school's proposed IEP. What should I do?"
Other questions include:
My child's IEP isn't working. How can I get the school to create an IEP with measurable goals?
I have a comprehensive evaluation from a neuro-psychologist. How can I get the school to use the recommendations from the evaluator?
My child's IEP team says they only include academic skills in transition plans. Should other skills be included in the transition plan?
Can the IEP team "vote" for a child's placement, if the parent objects?
Can a parent demand that an IEP team member be excluded?
Our favorite: Is an effective IEP team a reality or impossible dream?
Take a look at the Resolving Disputes Pop-Up Tool at
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/iep.disputes.popup.htm
More Cool Tools from Wrightslaw at https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/advo.cool.tools.htm
Wrightslaw Training Programs
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Wrightslaw Training Programs are available as immediate downloads when purchased from the Wrightslaw Store.
Discounts Available: Perfect for parent and staff training, support or study groups. Save 20%-50% on purchases for group training.
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Be a More Effective Advocate at IEP Meetings
The IDEA specifically allows / encourages parents to submit their concerns to the IEP Team. One way to record your concerns and the team's response is to use a Written Report or letter.
Your Written Opinion ensures that the IEP team knows how you experienced the meeting and how the team answered your questions and requests, along with disagreements, untruths, misstatements -- all the things that never make it into the school's meeting notes or summary.
https://www.wrightslaw.com/howey/written.opinions.htm
More COVID-19 Resources
Advocacy Rule #1: Write Things Down When They Happen
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/virus.advo.document.sharon.htm
Worried about Regression? Failure to Learn Basic Academic Skills? Is it Time to Consider a Different Plan for Your Child's Education?
https://www.wrightslaw.com/heath/advo.sch.covid.htm
Can IEP Meetings Be Postponed Until After Schools Re-Open?
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/virus.postpone.iep.mtgs.htm
How to Prepare for IEP Meetings, Provide Info, Share Concerns
https://www.wrightslaw.com/howey/iep.mtgs.info.concern.htm
How to Use Teletherapy for Therapy and Related Services During COVID-19
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/virus.virtual.tx.htm
Good Tuesday morning! Today's issue is a 2 1/2 minute read (576 words).
By any measure, 2020 has been a rough year . . . the COVID-19 pandemic, school closures, virtual and/or remote education, personal losses, our racial reckoning, and the Election.
The Wrightslaw team are hoping 2021 will be a better year for all who are seeking answers in these dark, difficult days.
Looking back, our team discussed the subjects we covered in 2020 -- COVID-19 school closures, IEPs, progress and regression, paper trails and documenting, contingency plans, and compensatory education.
In this issue, you'll find the Top 10 articles about COVID-related issues from 2020.
We are also looking ahead at subjects we want to address going forward.
If you have a suggestion, send your idea(s) by email to myidea2021@wrightslaw.com. Please type "MY IDEA for 2021" in the subject line of your email.
Take a look at What 3,263 Parents Really Think of Special Education During School Closures. The parents who responded to this survey came from 49 states and the District of Columbia.
We hope you will invite your friends and colleagues to subscribe to The Special Ed Advocate.
Let's learn something new today!
Top 10 Articles in 2020
1. Is the School Required to Make Up Missed Services?
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/fape.svcs.covid-19.htm
2. Can IEPs Be Postponed Until Schools Re-open?
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/virus.postpone.iep.mtgs.htm
3. COVID Chaos! Write Stuff Down! Good Documentation is Essential to Your Success
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/virus.advo.document.sharon.htm
4. How to Prepare for IEP Meetings, Provide Information and Share Concerns
https://www.wrightslaw.com/howey/iep.mtgs.info.concern.htm
5. Five Rules for Incredibly Successful IEP Meetings
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/covid.5rules.iep.htm
6. Prepare for Your Child's Comp Ed Meeting, Part 1: Learn from the Experts
https://www.wrightslaw.com/nltr/20/nl.1008.htm
7. Prepare for Your Child's Comp Ed Meeting, Part 2: Simple Strategies to Track Progress, Get Data, and Make Your Case for Comp Ed
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/covid.data.progress.htm
8. Worried about Regression? Loss of Skills? Is It Time to Consider a Different Plan for Your Child's Education?
https://www.wrightslaw.com/heath/advo.sch.covid.htm
9. Child Isn't Receiving Services in the IEP? How Parents and Schools Can Use Tele-health to Provide Services Children Need
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/virus.virtual.tx.htm
10. Compensatory Education: What Does the Law Say?
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/comp.ed.law.htm
What's Your Plan?
Is it time to increase your knowledge, and sharpen your skills?
"What you taught me in one day changed the way I advocate for my children. I have a long road ahead with my four kids but you and the resources you provide are a beacon of light."
Time to get serious. Time to buckle down. If we work hard now, it will be easier to climb over the mountain we face.
Although you can't attend a live Wrightslaw training program now, you can learn from your home or office with the Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training Program.
The Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training Program is a 6+ hour training program divided into four sessions: two about law and two about advocacy strategies. Program description.
When you place your order, you'll also receive a FREE E-book Edition of Wrightslaw Special Education Law, 2nd Edition!
Earn CEUs! Learn How.
Required Books
You'll need two books for the Special Ed Law & Advocacy Training Program:
* Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition
* Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, 2nd Edition.
The Multimedia Training Program and Book Combo -$89.95.
If you own the two required books, you can purchase the Special Ed Law and Advocacy Training Program separately for just $49.95.
Use the Wrightslaw Training Program for Staff and Parent Training and Study Groups! Bulk discounts are available on the course books.
"Thank you for taking the initiative to produce a workable, affordable training program." - Brice Palmer, Advocate from Vermont.
Revised: 01/12/21
