Guest post from a grandparent advocate who says, “Excellent job again Wrightslaw! There is nothing like the power of getting organized!”
Our school district knows that I keep records and am well-documented when advocating on behalf of my grandchild.
The district’s ombudsman listens to me and treats me with respect. When I provide proper documentation showing genuine need, she helps resolve delays in approved services and even reverses unsubstantiated denials of service.
Every advocate’s goal…to foster positive action on behalf of their child, grandchild, or ward
I just love it when a school official says, I don’t have knowledge or evidence of the district’s approval of that “service” for your student.
I respectfully reply…
Oh, I am very user-friendly and eager to assist the IEP team in any way I can. I know you have my student’s best interests at heart.
I have the verification document you need right here. You are more than welcome to note this document and consider it in your decision-making process. Or, you may make copies of my original document (original marked in yellow marker) for the IEP team and return my original to me before I leave today.
How did the school learn I am well documented?
I carry a loose-leaf notebook instead of a big stick!
I carry lots of knowledge to school meetings and let them see it via an organized notebook full of documentation.
Sometimes I open my notebook with a Wrightslaw article tucked in the front pocket. I will carry my notebook into our grandson’s new school next year and introduce it to yet another new IEP team.
My big book has never failed to gain the immediate attention of new IEP teams!
I’ll share some TIPS
Start & maintain a smaller 1-year notebook each year for your child.
Compile all single-year notebooks into one file.
You will have a complete cumulative at the end of grade school, middle school, and high school.
Never go to an IEP meeting or other important school meeting alone. Bring a case manager or another team member.
What I have to say is that official “outside” agency personnel give far more consideration when they attend and take notes at IEP/school meetings.
Compile your notebook.
Organize weekly, and it will be easy to maintain a complete student record.
I cannot underscore the importance of maintaining an ongoing “flow” of documentation of all school activity pertaining to your student.
Examples of documentation I keep:
- Aims Testing
- Grades
- Independent Comprehensive Psycho-Educational Evaluations at Public Expense
- School placement, IEP meeting dates
- IEPs (both drafts & final versions)
- IEP team names, teacher names
- School district evaluations
- CFT team names, Psychiatrist name, address
- BH student diagnosis
- Updated monthly Medication List
- PCP name
- School physical information
- Doctor excuses
- School & Bus incident reports
- School & bus disciplinary action taken against your child (with copy to the school and/ or bus driver report)
- details of services approved & rendered by the school district on behalf of your student
All are important to overall positive advocacy on behalf of your student.
Also important for creating the paper trail:
- Parent request letters
- Denial or approval letters from the school district
- Communication log and dates of all e-mails, letters, & phone calls
- Services provided (or not) to your child by the school district
In addition, note the name, title & tone/ attitude of the person in communication with you. I rate each of them from user-friendly & respectful to non-user-friendly & seemingly resentful. 🙂
More Resources
The Power of Getting Organized – Summer School 2012 https://www.wrightslaw.com/nltr/12/ss.organize.file.htm
The Paper Chase – What documents are keepers? Guidelines for managing your child’s documents by Robert Crabtree, Esq.
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/advo.paperchase.crabtree.htm
