Guest guest Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 Hi Ken, Since my children are in a special needs pre-school, and I work full- time and can't be there anyway, I have not had any problems. However, when I looked up FERPA on the web, I found the following phone number for additional information or technical assistance, you may call (voice). Why not try calling them (this is the US Education Department) and see if they can help you at all? I am reading everything I can find on FERPA and Special Education Law and will post again if I find anything helpful. Judith, Steve, (RSS) and (non RSS) 4 1/2 year old twins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 Hi Judith, Thanks. We did that also. We called the US Dept of Ed in Boston. He agreed with the school. We have spoken with the Dept. of Ed. for our state and they agree with us and are helping us to get a written opinion and have it sent to the school. Thanks for the tip. We'll try that agin if this doen't work. Ken M > > Hi Ken, > > Since my children are in a special needs pre-school, and I work full- > time and can't be there anyway, I have not had any problems. > However, when I looked up FERPA on the web, I found the following > phone number for additional information or technical assistance, you > may call (voice). Why not try calling them (this is > the US Education Department) and see if they can help you at all? > > I am reading everything I can find on FERPA and Special Education > Law and will post again if I find anything helpful. > > Judith, Steve, (RSS) and (non RSS) 4 1/2 year old twins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 What about asking your school if they would ask the other parents to sign a waiver allowing the " disclosure " of information so that you could sit in? We know it shouldn't be necessary, but in the end the school is probably only trying to protect themselves legally. If the other parents agree, it shouldn't be a problem. Judith, Steve, (RSS) and (non RSS) 4 1/2 year old twins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 Hi Judith, We did that too. That was the first thing we asked. The school refused, saying they don't have a procedure for doing that and that they don't have the time to create a procedure. We even offered to compose a note that could be signed and returned to the school. Again they refused. The school has dug in its heels and they are refusing to let us see our son while he is in any therapy session. They did offer to let us see a one on one session. We refused because we are concerned about his socialization when he is with one or two other kids. We have observed him in a class room and on the play ground and we see that he pretty much plays by himself. For his next IEP meeting, we need to know how he is doing, what the therapist is doing to get him to interact. The quarterly reports they send home are not very helpful. I do like your idea of calling the U.S. Dept. of Ed. again. I think we spoke to the wrong person. Thanks for the advice. Ken M > > What about asking your school if they would ask the other parents to > sign a waiver allowing the " disclosure " of information so that you > could sit in? We know it shouldn't be necessary, but in the end the > school is probably only trying to protect themselves legally. If > the other parents agree, it shouldn't be a problem. > > Judith, Steve, (RSS) and (non RSS) 4 1/2 year old twins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 Ken- I've never heard of FERPA before today but it sounds like an extension of HIPPA. And isn't HIPPA a wonderful thing? In some ways yes. In some way, NOT!!! Sigh. Is there another staff mamber, perhaps an educated but unbiased one (i.e. social worker, case worker, etc.), who could watch your son " in action, " in your absence? Then it's " another professional, " not a " private party. " Granted, it wouldn't be the same as YOU watching what he does, since you guys know him the best of all. But if the school is going to be THAT pigheaded about it... I wonder how long it'll be before parents aren't allowed into the classroom because it affects the privacy of the other students. Puh-LEEZ. -Sharon- Just an RSS kid who grew up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 Ken, While I am not familiar with this particular law, (I've never heard it before) I do know that the school systems are getting more and more strict about who can see classified children and when. It has its pros and cons, but ultimately the child of the concerned parents is the one who kind of loses out. The whole idea is to protect the rights of the other child/children who are also classified and working with your son. Some parents want confidentiality, so if you go observe , then the other child does not have that regarding his therapies and needs and goals/objectives. It's become a very complicated web and difficult to get through. Just like NCLB (No Child Left Behind), I think the intention is there, but the reality is that it is making things more difficult for our kids. Believe me, it is frustrating for me as a special ed teacher as well. I'm not sure what to say anymore, so I am very careful with how I word things. I don't even use another child's name when I am talking to a parent about a situation. I'm afraid that I am breaching that child's right. Sigh. On the other hand, what boggles my mind is that if we have a class party or project, I can let a parent come into the classroom and help. Doesn't that breach confidentiality? That same parent would not be allowed to view a group therapy session, yet she can help in the classroom. I know I am not giving you answers, but I understand your dilemma from a teacher and parent point of view. And things are going to get worse. Jodi Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 Hi Sharon, Neither had I until the school used it against us. You're right, it won't be long before schools try and keep all parents out. I think the main reason they are doing this is so we cannot watch the therapists and check to see if they are complying with the IEP. Another professional is a definite NO. Other parents are objecting to us watching having another professional observe would not go over well at all. We suggested that and one parent says she did not want some shrink ( even though it was another OT) watching her son. ly, I am very dismayed that we are having such a hard time. The teachers are always complaining that parents aren't involved. Well, here we are trying to be involved and the school is saying go away, stay home, don't bother us. Just can't win. Ken M > > Ken- > > I've never heard of FERPA before today but it sounds like an > extension of HIPPA. And isn't HIPPA a wonderful thing? In some > ways yes. In some way, NOT!!! Sigh. > > Is there another staff mamber, perhaps an educated but unbiased one > (i.e. social worker, case worker, etc.), who could watch your > son " in action, " in your absence? Then it's " another professional, " > not a " private party. " Granted, it wouldn't be the same as YOU > watching what he does, since you guys know him the best of all. But > if the school is going to be THAT pigheaded about it... > > I wonder how long it'll be before parents aren't allowed into the > classroom because it affects the privacy of the other students. > > Puh-LEEZ. > > -Sharon- > Just an RSS kid who grew up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 Hi Jodi, You are right. I can volunteer in a class room. Even bring kids to their therapy sessions. NO one says a word about confidentiality but I can't observe my own son. How nuts is that. However, the FERPA laws only extends to a childs records and not the child, so the school is miss applying the law. I have read them several times. It is a real cure for insomia. We will get to see sooner or later. Ken M > > Ken, > > While I am not familiar with this particular law, (I've never heard > it before) I do know that the school systems are getting more and > more strict about who can see classified children and when. It has > its pros and cons, but ultimately the child of the concerned parents > is the one who kind of loses out. > > The whole idea is to protect the rights of the other child/children > who are also classified and working with your son. Some parents > want confidentiality, so if you go observe , then the other > child does not have that regarding his therapies and needs and > goals/objectives. It's become a very complicated web and difficult > to get through. > > Just like NCLB (No Child Left Behind), I think the intention is > there, but the reality is that it is making things more difficult > for our kids. Believe me, it is frustrating for me as a special ed > teacher as well. I'm not sure what to say anymore, so I am very > careful with how I word things. I don't even use another child's > name when I am talking to a parent about a situation. I'm afraid > that I am breaching that child's right. Sigh. > > On the other hand, what boggles my mind is that if we have a class > party or project, I can let a parent come into the classroom and > help. Doesn't that breach confidentiality? That same parent would > not be allowed to view a group therapy session, yet she can help in > the classroom. > > I know I am not giving you answers, but I understand your dilemma > from a teacher and parent point of view. And things are going to > get worse. > > Jodi Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 You go, Ken!!! I know you will win out eventually. The laws are so messed up. It's so simple in the educator's mind, but the lawmakers make things way too complicated. Why don't they listen to US? Jodi Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2004 Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 Ken When is your next IEP meeting? I would make this one of your key issues in the meeting. With all the big wigs there, let them figure out how to get you guys in to observe. That's insane. On a lighter note, can the staff disguise the kids while you are there? (just kidding!) I can't understand this business, it makes no sense. Try suggesting (maybe at the IEP meeting) if this continues to be an issue, that the school should have " family visit day " to come and observe. So it won't just be you guys but other parents as well. That gets around this supposed need for confidentiality. It's published as a day for parents to observe and if anyone has a big problem with that, they can keep their kids at home. Geez poor you and poor Janet. Keep up the good fight. Debby Re: FERPA Regulations > > > Hi Judith, > > We did that too. That was the first thing we asked. The school > refused, saying they don't have a procedure for doing that and that > they don't have the time to create a procedure. We even offered to > compose a note that could be signed and returned to the school. Again > they refused. > > The school has dug in its heels and they are refusing to let us see > our son while he is in any therapy session. They did offer to let us > see a one on one session. We refused because we are concerned about > his socialization when he is with one or two other kids. We have > observed him in a class room and on the play ground and we see that > he pretty much plays by himself. For his next IEP meeting, we need to > know how he is doing, what the therapist is doing to get him to > interact. The quarterly reports they send home are not very helpful. > > > > I do like your idea of calling the U.S. Dept. of Ed. again. I think > we spoke to the wrong person. > > Thanks for the advice. > > > Ken M > > > >> >> What about asking your school if they would ask the other parents > to >> sign a waiver allowing the " disclosure " of information so that you >> could sit in? We know it shouldn't be necessary, but in the end > the >> school is probably only trying to protect themselves legally. If >> the other parents agree, it shouldn't be a problem. >> >> Judith, Steve, (RSS) and (non RSS) 4 1/2 year old > twins > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 Hi debby, You're right. It makes no sense at all. Janet and I have discussed trying to convince the school to have 2 days for the parents to observe their kids therapy. One in the fall and the other in the spring just before they meet for IEP's. What I am finding hard to understand is why more peope don't go and see what is happening in these therapy sessions. Very few here have heard of FERPA, and fewer have observed. The same goes for our school. We can find no parent who has ever observed a therapy session. So we don't understand how they know whwt is going on especially with very your children. Anyway, how are you? I hope all is well. You have been very quiet lately. How is Adam? Ken M > >> > >> What about asking your school if they would ask the other parents > > to > >> sign a waiver allowing the " disclosure " of information so that you > >> could sit in? We know it shouldn't be necessary, but in the end > > the > >> school is probably only trying to protect themselves legally. If > >> the other parents agree, it shouldn't be a problem. > >> > >> Judith, Steve, (RSS) and (non RSS) 4 1/2 year old > > twins > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 Hi Ken I'm fine and Adam is, well Adam!! He has a teacher who calls me for a meeting every 2 weeks, not to complain (like all, and I mean ALL, of the other teachers Adam has had for 9 years in total) but to tell me what accommodations he is planning to try now. Which ones are not working since our last meeting, which ones are working and he has actually READ the IEP. I can't believe it. I'm taking a course on Wed. nights so I am busy adding " student " to my many jobs and responsibilities. I tend to catch up on this group on the weekends, but I am always around somehow (I do scan the subject headings daily) just " quiet " right now. Good luck with this business. I was thinking more about the observations. Ultimately, you will never really see what is going on, because teachers will change the minute they see a parent anyhow. Keep us informed on how this all transpires. Say hi to Janet and Debby Re: FERPA Regulations > > > Hi debby, > > You're right. It makes no sense at all. > > Janet and I have discussed trying to convince the school to have 2 > days for the parents to observe their kids therapy. One in the fall > and the other in the spring just before they meet for IEP's. > > What I am finding hard to understand is why more peope don't go and > see what is happening in these therapy sessions. Very few here have > heard of FERPA, and fewer have observed. The same goes for our > school. We can find no parent who has ever observed a therapy > session. So we don't understand how they know whwt is going on > especially with very your children. > > Anyway, how are you? I hope all is well. You have been very quiet > lately. How is Adam? > > > Ken M > > > >> >> >> >> What about asking your school if they would ask the other parents >> > to >> >> sign a waiver allowing the " disclosure " of information so that > you >> >> could sit in? We know it shouldn't be necessary, but in the end >> > the >> >> school is probably only trying to protect themselves legally. If >> >> the other parents agree, it shouldn't be a problem. >> >> >> >> Judith, Steve, (RSS) and (non RSS) 4 1/2 year old >> > twins >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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