Re: IEP ... Help

[Guest guest]

Dear Bindu

A great source for getting to know the law and IEP is found on

www.wrightslaw.com -- there are books that you can order but also an

extensive library of articles that you can access online. They also

have a monthly newsletter informing you of changes in regulations,

law, and new issues. There are two books that I have found valuable -

- " From Emotions to Advocacy " and " slaw - Special Education

Law. " Their seminars were also helpful.

Other sources are your states special education guides for parents,

which should have been given to you during the initial interview

process. In the tug of war that usually exists between school

districts and parents, you want to start documenting every possible

infringement made by the school district.

In any case, each school district " interprets " the law differently.

Each state has a set of regulations. IDEA which is the federal law

makes it clear however that the parents must have an equal share in

the planning of the IEP. There are things the school district can do

and there are many things they cannot.

The school district can meet without the parent as long as they

notified the parent of the meeting within a reasonable amount of

time -- usually 10 days. You would have to check what the

regulations are from your state. If there is no response from the

parent or if the parents cannot attend, they can proceed unless you

have given them notification that you would like to have the meeting

date and/or time changed. Again, you need to be aware of the

procedures for your district -- in some cases a phone call is enough

in other cases a written request. Within the IEP meeting there are

certain things that must take place and the books referenced above

can explain it best.

If the school district and you do not come to an agreement, there is

a step for mediation before an impartial hearing -- if you wish. You

may elect to skip mediation and go straight to hearing. Whether this

is beneficial to you it would depend on the culture of your district.

I would speak to other parents within your district to see their

experiences and how amenable the officials can be. If there is a

history of " hardballing, " you may need an attorney. There are a lot

of things to consider and keeping informed of all possibilities is

essential. I'm sure that most parents on this list can share their

experiences with you and offer you advice. Getting to know the law

and procedures is the first step.

Good luck to you,

Eileen