Re: Independent Evaluator request

[Guest guest]

Jacki,

As you know, parents can request and even obtain an outside evaluation but

N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.4(i) states that the CST can consider outside reports but

does not have to use them.

I had an external evaluation done where it indicated that my daughter needed

additional services above the Valley Program's curriculum and am still

trying to convince my district to accept them. This would mean add'l

services and add'l $$ so it is not unusual for the districts to be resistent.

K.

At 10:17 PM 8/16/00 EDT, you wrote:

>Does anyone have any experience with an issue like this?

>

>After I signed by son's IEP for this coming year, I decided that it is

>worthwhile trying to get more than just school-based services for him--He is

>4 and at Valley Program in River Edge. I spoke with the CST Director on the

>phone and explained that we feel that independent evaluations in several

>areas would benefit our understanding of our son's needs. She agreed that it

>is her obligation to provide that and to please put my request in writing.

>Two weeks later, her written response to us is that she suggests a review of

>his needs and his program in a meeting with us, the school and the team. Is

>it difficult to accomplish independent evaluations and was I naive to think

>that it is simply a matter of course?

>

>Jacki

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jacki,

As you know, parents can request and even obtain an outside evaluation but

N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.4(i) states that the CST can consider outside reports but

does not have to use them.

I had an external evaluation done where it indicated that my daughter needed

additional services above the Valley Program's curriculum and am still

trying to convince my district to accept them. This would mean add'l

services and add'l $$ so it is not unusual for the districts to be resistent.

K.

At 10:17 PM 8/16/00 EDT, you wrote:

>Does anyone have any experience with an issue like this?

>

>After I signed by son's IEP for this coming year, I decided that it is

>worthwhile trying to get more than just school-based services for him--He is

>4 and at Valley Program in River Edge. I spoke with the CST Director on the

>phone and explained that we feel that independent evaluations in several

>areas would benefit our understanding of our son's needs. She agreed that it

>is her obligation to provide that and to please put my request in writing.

>Two weeks later, her written response to us is that she suggests a review of

>his needs and his program in a meeting with us, the school and the team. Is

>it difficult to accomplish independent evaluations and was I naive to think

>that it is simply a matter of course?

>

>Jacki

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jacki,

As you know, parents can request and even obtain an outside evaluation but

N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.4(i) states that the CST can consider outside reports but

does not have to use them.

I had an external evaluation done where it indicated that my daughter needed

additional services above the Valley Program's curriculum and am still

trying to convince my district to accept them. This would mean add'l

services and add'l $$ so it is not unusual for the districts to be resistent.

K.

At 10:17 PM 8/16/00 EDT, you wrote:

>Does anyone have any experience with an issue like this?

>

>After I signed by son's IEP for this coming year, I decided that it is

>worthwhile trying to get more than just school-based services for him--He is

>4 and at Valley Program in River Edge. I spoke with the CST Director on the

>phone and explained that we feel that independent evaluations in several

>areas would benefit our understanding of our son's needs. She agreed that it

>is her obligation to provide that and to please put my request in writing.

>Two weeks later, her written response to us is that she suggests a review of

>his needs and his program in a meeting with us, the school and the team. Is

>it difficult to accomplish independent evaluations and was I naive to think

>that it is simply a matter of course?

>

>Jacki

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

More on requesting services. I had a big problem when I requested soomething

that would have set a precident. I went to mediation & to court and the

judge forced a settlement in my favor. All my other requests have been

honored with no problem. i did not request aba though. I am actually just

starting it. If it works I will request it from my district. I have had

an independent speech eval that resulted in speech 4x a week instead of 3x as

I requested. An educational computer eval by an expert to try to get special

programs created & implemented along with a laptop purchased & maintained by

the district-we just got the experts report back. A behaviorist to come 1x

a week to evualate & help institute a behavior program for Jen.

I have tried to develop a good relationship with the CST. I think it is

important to use your span advocate & do everything the right way. You need

to make your requests to the team in writing & then they are required by law

to reply within x number of days. Then you can go to mediation or court the

same way if you are denied. I think you can call an iep meeting to revise the

iep any time. I don't think they can refuse, but speak to yur span person

about this. If you do it all with the attitude that you are only trying to

help your child and want to work as a team to do so that will help even if

you end up in court.