I need more advice about my daughter/anyone familiar with OHIO law

[Guest guest]

First I will try to be brief with a little history. My daughter's

IEP will be on Tues. and I have become more educated in IEP's since

last year so I will not be doing the " usual " . " they " usually work

out the plan for her and have it all typed up and after they brief

me, I sign where they tell me to sign and that's it.

Not this time...

I sent the psycologist a letter last week " so that we might get some

things worked out prior to our meeting "

I proceeded to number 1-6 and stated what she needs for next year.

1. I would like to see Cassie " catch up " a little more by attending

a " pre-first " (I believe it is called) class next year. I don't see

her at all ready for 1st grade yet and while she has come a long

way, I'd like for her to have another year before entering 1st

grade.

2. I'd like almost " full Inclusion " next year with an aide. I want

her to learn to participate with her peers as I believe that to be

least restrictive for her. She is just now, in the past 2 months

learning to do on her own, what the other children are doing (in

Kindergarten)

3. I'd like to meet monthly with her therapists to discuss goals and

objectives. (one of you suggested that and I think it's a great

idea, thanks.)

4. I'd like 45 min. (M-F) /day for speech with Mrs. ____ Twice a

week- inclusion and 3 times a week " pull-out " .

5. I'd like 45 min/week " pull-out " time for PT and the same for OT.

6. I'd like 1 hr. a week for 7 weeks during the summer for speech

with Mrs. ____.

" These are what I believe to be Cassie's needs for 05-06 and in her

best interest. My goals and objectives for her will reflect this

when my husband and I (my husband has not attended an IEP meeting

until now) attend her IEP meeting on the 31st.

thank you for your time....

****I received an email back from the psyc. which states :

" " I just received your e-mail. We no longer have a pre-first class,

so that's

out. Full inclusion in a regular first grade classroom would not

benefit

Cassie in learning her skills. I like the part about inclusion as

much as

posssible, but we would have to do some individual learning in the

resource

room, because of the gap in her skills. We do not normally hold

children on

IEP's in kindergarten, but if that is your choice you may do it. It

was

suggested to me that Cassie go to an MH classroom which would have

to be out of

the district. I think, at this time, Cassie is ok where she is.

Meeting monthly with her therapists is fine with me. You know you

have the right

to call a meeting as much as you want. Maybe we could set this up on

a

scheduled basis so everyone will be prepared.

I will give you 30 minutes of speech 5 times a week, either with

Mrs. _____ or

Mrs _____. I cannot promise you Mrs. ____ that much time.

I will also give you the extended school year time with Mrs. ____ if

she has the

time to give.

I don't know how much time the PT and OT are suggesting for next

year, but I

will go along with the team decision.

Looking forward to seeing you on the 31st. " " "

Is anyone else out there a bit uncomfortable with statements like:

" reg. first grade would not benefit Cassie... " (How do we know

that?)

" gap in her skills " (this is the lady that has already placed her in

1st grade -per a friend of mine) without discussing it with me. If

we have a gap, why are we moving on???

" it was suggested to me " (why was it suggested to her without my

being present. Do I, or do I not have the right to be in on these

discussions?)

" Cassie is ok where she is " (ok? I don't want just OK)

" I will give you 30 min. " (she will give me?-what is this, an

auction??? are we barganing for my daughter's education?)

somebody tell me I'm not crazy here.

Now the real reason for my sharing with all of you today.

At my church this am, another good friend of mine said that this

psyco. and 3 other members of MY daughter's educational team had a

meeting FRI that lasted 2 hours to talk about plans for Cassie.

Does anybody know the law better than I do and can respond? I didn't

think this kind of discussion was supposed to be done without me.

planning for the big IEP

, mom to , Caleb, Collin and Cassie Joy, w/ds