It is likely in the best interest of your child to not believe everything a school’s special education department tells you about your child. Now this is not to say that our local schools are not absolutely dedicated to our children, because that may be. However, it is certain that not all of those who work within the special needs arena are equally as dedicated. A parent should always question the findings that affect their child especially within the special education department of your child’s school. Not all are created equal. If there is an outcome that you disagree with, by all means, argue and don’t stop until the school satisfies your request or you are convinced that they are right.
There are occasions today where schools are desperate to fill desks within their Special Needs program, in order to maintain sufficient funding. This is not as bad as it used to be, but still it occurs and can create issues that parents need to keep an eye out for. The outcome of a poorly funded special needs program are easily observed. Some of the signs that a parent needs to look out for are: classroom wall art that may be a few years old; inequitable learning situations such as the difference in learning materials between a regular and special Ed classroom and finally teachers that seem tired or short tempered. Parents should talk often with their children’s teachers, in order to determine their ability to deal with children with learning disabilities. On occasion there are teachers who have become so stressed in the working environment that they are no longer effective as teachers. If a parent sees any of these warning signs it is their personal responsibility to inform both the school district and other parents of the concern.
Parents with Special needs children should always keep in formed, not only for their children, but for those parents that are within their childs education plan. Parents of Special Needs children should collaborate together, within the local school, and keep one another informed about national, state, and local issues regarding their children’s education. Often the stress of raising a severely disabled child, or even a slightly learning disabled child can take a toll on a family. This is why it is a good idea to become good friends with the parents of your child’s classmates. This can not only insure some sanity during difficulties, but assist greatly in assuring that the school not try to skimp on an educational program.
By: Gary Kammer
Posts Tagged ‘Special Education Department’
Special Needs Children and the Public School District
January 16th, 20106 Important Things to Know About Special Education – Independent Evaluations at Public Expense
November 21st, 2009
Are you the parent of a young child that you believe may have autism, but special education personnel disagree? Was your child recently tested, by school personnel and you disagree with the test results? Parents are entitled to an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE’s) at Public expense, under certain circumstances. This article will discuss 6 things that you need to know about IEE’s at public expense.
An IEE is an Independent Educational Evaluation that is conducted by a qualified person who does not work for your school district.
Below are the 6 things that you must know about IEE’s at public Expense;
1. Parents are entitled to an IEE at public expense if they disagree with the school districts evaluation. You may disagree with the tests, how the tests were conducted, the results of the tests, or how the results of the tests were interpreted. If your child was tested and you believe that they have an undiagnosed disability, such as autism, then you would be entitled to an IEE at public expense.
Several areas of disagreement may be included in one IEE at public expense. For Example: If your child needs testing by a Neuro psychologist and an occupational therapy evaluation, these can be handled at the same time, though by different personnel.
2. School personnel may ask you what you disagree with, but they can not require you to answer.
3. If you ask for an IEE at public expense the school district has two choices; either pay for the evaluation, or file for a due process hearing to prove that their evaluation is correct. The problem is, that most states do not state how long special education personnel have to decide, which course they are going to take. If you feel that your school district is taking too much time making a decision, try filing a state complaint with your state special education department.
4. If special education personnel in your district, agree to pay for the IEE at public expense, they must pay for the entire evaluation.
5. In your request for an IEE at public expense include the qualifications that you want the evaluator to have. This is especially critical if you believe that your child needs to be seen by a Neuro psychologist; due to the cost of the evaluation.
Also include in the request the areas that you want tested. IDEA states that school personnel and parents must agree on areas to be tested, but does not state that they must agree on the tests. If the areas to be tested cannot be agreed upon, the school district should file for a due process hearing.
For Example: Because my child’s IQ dropped 40 points I am asking for a comprehensive independent evaluation conducted by a Neuro psychologist to include: testing for any undiagnosed disabilities or neurological problems, IQ testing, academic and functional level testing, adaptive behavior testing. I am also asking for an evaluation with a Registered Occupational Therapist because I disagree with the school’s evaluation.
6. School districts can make criteria for IEE’s at public expense but only under 2 circumstances. A. They must allow for parents to ask for a waiver of criteria if the situation warrants, and B. The criteria must not prevent the parent from getting an IEE at public expense.
An IEE at public expense can help diagnose undiagnosed disabilities, help you figure out what special education and related services your child needs, help you with placement recommendations etc. By knowing these important things about IEE’s at public expense, you will be able to help your child get the services that they need and deserve.
By: JoAnn Collins
