What law guides notes during ARD

[Guest guest]

Hey all:

Does anyone know which law/procedural safeguards, etc., governs my right to have

copies of ARD committee member notes if I request them? Let's say we have a

segment of the ARD and recess -- can I ask that everyone hand their notes to the

diagnostician for her to make copies? Or is this done after the fact through

TPIA request and obviously if I receive none, and I have documentation that

notes were taken, that I have the basis for a complaint.

Also do they have a right to request mine, too? (Just making sure I cover all

bases, if so, I'll make sure I don't write notes this particular ARD).

If you feel more comfortable, please contact me off list at

HildaBowen@....

Thanks

Hilda

[Guest guest]

Both Your notes and their notes must be attached to the ARD document.  Insist that yours are.  They like to try to leave these out.  As a parent and important member of the ARD/IEP team, you may state items you wish included in the educational record.  Put it in writing and be sure to date it.  If you find they haven't included it, send a second request in writing making note of your previous request and that it was not fulfilled.

Do not sign the ARD document until you have had time to read the FINAL printed copy with all the notes attached.  You nay disagree with any portion of the ARD; you do not have to agree with every part of it.  Note this on the parts you disagree with.

Districts are notorious for goading parents into signing BEFORE the final copy is printed.  When they had you an ARD/IEP document, then write really big at the top " DRAFT " until it is the way you feel it should be.  You DO NOT have to agree OR disagree.  You do not have to sign it before you leave the meeting (and a parent never should in my opinion).  Take the FINAL copy home, read it in its entirety with notes attached.  You must TAPE the meeting.  Save the tapes.  They can tape too; that's fine, but keep your tapes in a safe place.

They have to show you their ARD notes and attach to your copy or the notes are invalid.  If it is not part of the document, it isn't real or legally binding.  Parents have a right to see all educational notes or anything to be placed int he child's school master file.  Your notebook at home would reflect what is in this file as well as any letters you have received or written to the school.  In addition, you have a right to view or get copies of the school board minutes to see if your child (or you) were ever discussed.  You have a right to request to view or get copies (though copies may cost a reasonable fee) of the special education budget and know all the sources of funding of that budget and how the money is spent (though I think most keep two sets of books).  This is why I think it is best to " view " these things on the premises and not wait for copies.

If they will not share their notes then their notes CANNOT be attached to the document.  You are a member of the IEP team.  You are an EQUAL member.  You cannot sign without all the facts.  To have you do so is unethical.

If they refuse to share the notes, I believe you have a basis for complaint.  I wouldn't sign in agreement until I had the notes, but that is just me.Haven

[Guest guest]

Haven..

You should have come with me today to the ARD.... It was really a soap opera.

I usually approach any thing with the school at this point as something complimentary to what I am doing at home. I am not intimidated nor desperate for their services. I go there with very low expectation and they still manage to shock me...

I am working on a detailed post to share with every one as I need to vent very badly.

Re: What law guides notes during ARD

Both Your notes and their notes must be attached to the ARD document. Insist that yours are. They like to try to leave these out. As a parent and important member of the ARD/IEP team, you may state items you wish included in the educational record. Put it in writing and be sure to date it. If you find they haven't included it, send a second request in writing making note of your previous request and that it was not fulfilled.Do not sign the ARD document until you have had time to read the FINAL printed copy with all the notes attached. You nay disagree with any portion of the ARD; you do not have to agree with every part of it. Note this on the parts you disagree with.Districts are notorious for goading parents into signing BEFORE the final copy is printed. When they had you an ARD/IEP document, then write really big at the top "DRAFT" until it is the way you feel it should be. You DO NOT have to agree OR disagree. You do not have to sign it before you leave the meeting (and a parent never should in my opinion). Take the FINAL copy home, read it in its entirety with notes attached. You must TAPE the meeting. Save the tapes. They can tape too; that's fine, but keep your tapes in a safe place.They have to show you their ARD notes and attach to your copy or the notes are invalid. If it is not part of the document, it isn't real or legally binding. Parents have a right to see all educational notes or anything to be placed int he child's school master file. Your notebook at home would reflect what is in this file as well as any letters you have received or written to the school. In addition, you have a right to view or get copies of the school board minutes to see if your child (or you) were ever discussed. You have a right to request to view or get copies (though copies may cost a reasonable fee) of the special education budget and know all the sources of funding of that budget and how the money is spent (though I think most keep two sets of books). This is why I think it is best to "view" these things on the premises and not wait for copies.If they will not share their notes then their notes CANNOT be attached to the document. You are a member of the IEP team. You are an EQUAL member. You cannot sign without all the facts. To have you do so is unethical.If they refuse to share the notes, I believe you have a basis for complaint. I wouldn't sign in agreement until I had the notes, but that is just me.Haven