Re: IEP question(s)

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone.....I hope all is well.

I have an IEP question.....we are not happy with what they are

proposing.....what happens if we do not sign?? What happens from there??

Has anyone " fought " before?

THanks!

in Michigan

[Guest guest]

Thank you Barb!!! Let me try to answer your questions and give a bit more

detail.....

.....(see below)

In a message dated 12/8/99 5:56:05 AM Eastern Standard Time,

gprogers@... writes:

<< How much time has elapsed since the presentation of the IEP? The IEP

meeting was last tues. Nov. 30th.

How was it presented? well part of it was

already written but only because we did actually have an IEP about 2 weeks

prior to that that we had to reconvine because the Teachers Supervisor was

not present. The rest was wrote there.......not much if I might say.

Was it already on paper waiting for you to sign? Did you have

any input into what was written in, did you make suggestions as to what you

wanted? THis is the part that keeps getting to me.......we asked for one

on one instruction........they said that while they do give it......they

can't put in to the IEP.....too limiting???? But she did make it clear that

she feels group interaction is mainly what she thinks my daughter needs. And

while I had NO objections to most of her day being with the other kids......I

just wanted 20 mins or so put aside for one on one time......due to the fact

that she is 16 months languaged delayed (they say 24 months).....and that she

is profoundly deaf.......only 3......the other kids are a bit older.....4 and

5 and other than one or two other ones.......they are all HOH....they listen

and speak quite well. So they refused to put that in.

Then we wanted speech therapy 3 times a week 20-30 mins........they said the

HI consultant that does the speech is only there 2 days and only has time for

about 15 mins during those two days.......so they refused to write anymore in

there. And it bothers me that the lady is NOT a SPT......she was a teacher

who went parttime due to her sons illness.......(I do like her as a

person.....and she does seem to care.... but she has no real training.....).

Then we sort of have a separate issue......my daughter gets bussed by our

home district.......which is different than where she attends........the bus

ride is about 35-45 mins depending on the day. Well we had to fight for a

carseat......finally got it.......so that part is solved......BUT.....she was

brought home LATE a few times and once she was brought home an HOUR AND A

HALF late......and the story we were first told as to why had flaws and

inconsistencies in it......it was just her and one other child.......and that

child was dropped off at 2:43pm and my daughter did not get home til 3:27pm

and we live 5 mins apart. Needless to say I was quite concerned. So this

is our biggest stickler point.......we are requesting an aide/attendent on

the bus and I offered to teach the driver and or the aide some useful signs

to help communicate with my daughter.......especially in cases like

that......when she is confused as to why she is not home yet etc.....

Well......they said that they can't give us an aide......no money.......but

that there is an aide on the late afternoon route m-th due to their PAL

program kids and that if we switched her one full day from Friday to tues we

could have an aide then on at least two drive homes a week (t and

th)......but no aide in the morning.....or on her 1/2 days...... Then

they said at the IEP that they were making it a requirement for the drivers

to learn sign. Well I wrote to the SpEDir yesterday and he said that while

they are asking them to do this.......they can refuse and they are not sure

how to deal with it yet......and that it becomes a contractual issue???

Sooooo...my biggest beef is that they basically want us to not write anything

special in there.........its 9 of 9 pages.......just a few comments here or

there......and sign it........They kept saying stuff like " Well this is our

program " ...... " This is how it works here " etc.......So I was like " Why do an

IEP then??? " " Why not just have a standard form if you are going to say this

is the way it is for everyone???? "

Sorry so long.........HELLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPP! I am in way over my

head......I have no idea what to do....... OH and we asked for audiological

checks on her digital aids and FM unit to be daily........they refused to

write that in........all they would put is..... " Audiological evaluation

yearly....by <Blank> schools " Thats it.

OH and as far as goals.......they did those........the lady that does speech

gave her 3 goals for auditon and 3 goals for expressive language.......and

the teacher did the same........

Thanks everyone!!!!

in Michigan

What part aren't you happy with: goals and

objectives, placement,

amount of services offered? >>

[Guest guest]

> I have an IEP question.....we are not happy with what they are

> proposing.....what happens if we do not sign?? What happens from there??

> Has anyone " fought " before?

>

Hi ,

There are others more qualified give you an answer and hopefully some people

will. There are many of us here who have " fought " and won! The winning

doesn't always come without a struggle though.

How much time has elapsed since the presentation of the IEP? How was it

presented? Was it already on paper waiting for you to sign? Did you have

any input into what was written in, did you make suggestions as to what you

wanted? What part aren't you happy with: goals and objectives, placement,

amount of services offered?

If you do not sign the IEP becomes the IEP anyway after seven days have

passed. (I think, someone correct me if I am wrong.) My director wouldn't

consider it an IEP unless I did sign it and we would keep coming back to the

table until we have something I would sign. Sometimes this takes giving in

on both our parts. This is my district with my special ed director, we have

a mutual respect after working together for a few years. This doesn't mean

I don't have problems or that I haven't yelled at her on occasion.

You need to know what you want, become familiar with the law as much as

possible, put what you want in writing, and not give up. We will all help

you however we can.

This is how I do an IEP. A few weeks ahead of the date I send in a list of

what I want to see in terms of placement, services, goals and objectives,

accommodations, etc. Then I ask for them to send me a draft IEP ahead of

the meeting. I look it over and make any changes or corrections that need

to be made and send it back. Next we have a planning meeting where all the

participants sit down and we go over where my daughter is and why what is in

the draft is being proposed. Staff or I may have additions or changes at

this point. I take it home again to look at it and read it when not being

pressured to make a decision. By the time we come back to the actual IEP

meeting it's pretty much a formality of signing the paperwork. I don't wait

until the actual IEP meeting. Technically there is not supposed to be

anything on paper until that day. But my daughter's IEP is usually a

minimum of 25 pages and has been known to be as long as 32 pages. It simply

is not effective to sit in a meeting that long to get everything on paper.

Things get rushed, things get forgotten and my poor brain cannot digest it

all. It is a much better use of everyone's time if we can get all of the

disagreements worked out ahead of time.

Sometimes the staff at the school will not feel comfortable ruling on

something I have proposed or not know the law well enough to know if they

should agree or not. So then they have the chance to make sure the special

ed director is notified and can attend the meeting. Sometimes she just

tells them it is fine. There are no surprises and no animosity.

I hope it can work this way for you. This doesn't work at the school my son

is in. Even though it is the same district. Sometimes it is just a matter

of educating the staff that you are really involved. They are not used to

parents actually being an active part of the process, even though we are

given that right by law.

Well, I've probably told you way more than you want to know and not really

answered your question. If you can give us more details on exactly what the

problem is I know there are many people who will be glad to throw in their 2

cents.

Barb

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/9/99 7:22:13 AM Eastern Standard Time,

gprogers@... writes:

<< This is illegal. Her IEP and services must be based upon HER needs, not

upon

what is offered, what all the other kids, or what the school district can

afford. >>

This was my point as well.......but I guess they seem to think because they

wrote 6 goals each for her that that makes it " individual " ......sigh.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/9/99 7:22:13 AM Eastern Standard Time,

gprogers@... writes:

<< You need to ask for an independent evaluation. >>

What does this entail? Do I have to notify her teacher or our home district

or just call the school for the Deaf???? Will it cost us anything???

Thanks....sorry if these are stupid questions...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/9/99 7:22:13 AM Eastern Standard Time,

gprogers@... writes:

<<

ILLEGAL, they cannot say they have no money. If your daughter requires an

aide, and at age 3 she should have one on the bus, they have to pay for it.

It must be in the IEP and it must be provided. >>

I called our state capital........we have NO laws regarding aides on the

bus..... We have no legal standing there. Pathetic huh?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/9/99 7:22:13 AM Eastern Standard Time,

gprogers@... writes:

<< This is part of

what is happening to you.

Is this her first IEP? >>

Her second for the school year........the first one does say one on one

instruction and 2-3 times a week spt.......but they claim their former

director should not of put that in there.......and that its impossible to

meet......

Thanks so much for your help........we really need it!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/9/99 11:51:36 AM Eastern Standard Time, MDUPLAN@...

writes:

<< As far as the bus, if I remember right Crystal signs. If that is right

then

I would suggest you ask for a person that can sign to be on the bus at all

times. This is a safety issue and it is her right to have equal access to

communication. This is covered under ADA. Crystal is entiled to have the

same access to communication as her non-hearing impaired peers, who would

give her instructions in an emergency? Or for that matter just the regular

daily instructions the other children get? As some one has alreday pointed

out MONEY can NOT be the reason they refuse anything!!!! I used this

argument to get our district to agree to have a person that can sign on the

bus for Zak. Unfortunately their idea of being able to sign and mine are

not the same, so keep that in mind and be as specific as possible when

writting it into the IEP. I am still driving Zak because the district feels

the aide on the bus has adequate signing skills and I do not. >>

Yes she does sign......they said they are making it a requirement for all the

bus drivers to take a sign course that starts in

Jan........however........they can " refuse " and if they do.....they said they

are not sure how they will handle it because it becomes a " contractual "

issue?????

I offered to teach them sign myself.......what would be appropriate in that

type of situation.......they just said " thanks for the offer " and that was

that.

Sigh......why does it have to be such a struggle????

Thanks,

mary

[Guest guest]

> << How much time has elapsed since the presentation of the IEP? The

IEP

> meeting was last tues. Nov. 30th.

I hope someone else will chime in here to make sure all the information I am

giving you is accurate. I think you have an IEP. I think if it is not

signed for seven days after the meeting it automatically becomes the IEP.

You can ask for another IEP meeting at any time.

Sharon made a suggestion about documenting every thing. This is a MUST.

Also you must become knowledgeable about federal and state laws.

> How was it presented? well part of it was

> already written but only because we did actually have an IEP about 2 weeks

> prior to that that we had to reconvine because the Teachers Supervisor was

> not present. The rest was wrote there.......not much if I might say.

>

> Was it already on paper waiting for you to sign? Did you

have

> any input into what was written in, did you make suggestions as to what

you

> wanted? THis is the part that keeps getting to me.......we asked for

one

> on one instruction........they said that while they do give it......they

> can't put in to the IEP.....too limiting???? But she did make it clear

that

> she feels group interaction is mainly what she thinks my daughter needs.

And

> while I had NO objections to most of her day being with the other

kids......I

> just wanted 20 mins or so put aside for one on one time......due to the

fact

> that she is 16 months languaged delayed (they say 24 months).....and that

she

> is profoundly deaf.......only 3......the other kids are a bit older.....4

and

> 5 and other than one or two other ones.......they are all HOH....they

listen

> and speak quite well. So they refused to put that in.

This is illegal. Her IEP and services must be based upon HER needs, not upon

what is offered, what all the other kids, or what the school district can

afford.

You need to ask for an independent evaluation. It is important that you get

going on anything you do immediately. You can have loss of rights if you do

not do things on a time schedule and if you do not do things according to

proper procedure. I just read about a court case the parents lost because

they did not follow all the rules. Here is the url for it.

http://www.wrightslaw.com/law/caselaw/case_8th_blackmon_springfield_MO_99120

2.pdf

> Then we wanted speech therapy 3 times a week 20-30 mins........they said

the

> HI consultant that does the speech is only there 2 days and only has time

for

> about 15 mins during those two days.......so they refused to write anymore

in

> there. And it bothers me that the lady is NOT a SPT......she was a

teacher

> who went parttime due to her sons illness.......(I do like her as a

> person.....and she does seem to care.... but she has no real

training.....).

I believe that the person must be qualified to administer therapy. Celeste,

can you help us out here. This is way beyond what I have knowledge of.

>

> Then we sort of have a separate issue......my daughter gets bussed by our

> home district.......which is different than where she attends........the

bus

> ride is about 35-45 mins depending on the day. Well we had to fight for

a

> carseat......finally got it.......so that part is solved......BUT.....she

was

> brought home LATE a few times and once she was brought home an HOUR AND A

> HALF late......and the story we were first told as to why had flaws and

> inconsistencies in it......it was just her and one other child.......and

that

> child was dropped off at 2:43pm and my daughter did not get home til

3:27pm

> and we live 5 mins apart. Needless to say I was quite concerned. So

this

> is our biggest stickler point.......we are requesting an aide/attendent on

> the bus and I offered to teach the driver and or the aide some useful

signs

> to help communicate with my daughter.......especially in cases like

> that......when she is confused as to why she is not home yet etc.....

> Well......they said that they can't give us an aide......no

money.......but

ILLEGAL, they cannot say they have no money. If your daughter requires an

aide, and at age 3 she should have one on the bus, they have to pay for it.

It must be in the IEP and it must be provided.

> that there is an aide on the late afternoon route m-th due to their PAL

> program kids and that if we switched her one full day from Friday to tues

we

> could have an aide then on at least two drive homes a week (t and

> th)......but no aide in the morning.....or on her 1/2 days...... Then

> they said at the IEP that they were making it a requirement for the

drivers

> to learn sign. Well I wrote to the SpEDir yesterday and he said that

while

> they are asking them to do this.......they can refuse and they are not

sure

> how to deal with it yet......and that it becomes a contractual issue???

>

> Sooooo...my biggest beef is that they basically want us to not write

anything

> special in there.........its 9 of 9 pages.......just a few comments here

or

> there......and sign it........They kept saying stuff like " Well this is

our

> program " ...... " This is how it works here " etc.......So I was like " Why do

an

> IEP then??? " " Why not just have a standard form if you are going to say

this

> is the way it is for everyone???? "

NO, NO, NO. It cannot be " their program " . The IEP must be based upon what

your daughter needs. You have every right to be dissatisfied. I don't know

what the next step is. I think I would ask to reconvene the IEP committee

and let them know that I know they violated federal law and you will give

them a chance to correct the situation before taking it further. You have

grounds for due process if the IEP is not based on her needs. But due

process is a big stressful step that will take a long time and I would do

everything else first to avoid it.

>

> Sorry so long.........HELLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPP! I am in way over my

> head......I have no idea what to do....... OH and we asked for

audiological

> checks on her digital aids and FM unit to be daily........they refused to

> write that in........all they would put is..... " Audiological evaluation

> yearly....by <Blank> schools " Thats it.

Do you mean that they just need to be checked to make sure they are working

and that the battery is not dead? If so federal law says that this must be

done daily. If you are talking about an audiologist actually checking it

then yearly is not unreasonable.

Of course this is what you meant. You want them checked everyday to make

sure they are in working order and that the battery is not dead and that

there is no static, etc. It gripes me when, as parents, we don't word

something exactly the right way the school personell become deliberately

obtuse and use our lack of knowledge to deny us something. It has happened

to me so many times. Once early on I was not in agreement with the IEP

being proposed. We went round and round about my reasoning. They

continually asked me if I disagreed with the results of the assessment. I

know now I should have said yes. I said no, because I thought it meant I

disagreed that my daughter was hard of hearing. So they used that to deny

what I wanted because I said I agreed with their assessment. I learned the

hard way that I had to learn the law and speak the jargon. This is part of

what is happening to you.

Is this her first IEP?

I really need someone else to jump in here. I am out of my element. I

don't know exactly what you do next. You do have some problems and you need

to get on this soon.

Barb

[Guest guest]

Well you have gotten some good responses already, I am not sure how

much I can add here but I will at least give you my thoughts.

First of all, you are absolutly right. The program should be designed to

serve Crystal's needs, NOT " this is our program " .

FEDERAL law requires that the goals and objectives be written FIRST. Then

the services and placement that will best fit those goals is to be

determined. Those services CAN NOT be based on what is available or

conveint for the school. This is very clearly spelled out in the law, so

don't let them tell you any different.

As for the speech therapy, first thing I would do is check your states

regualtions to see what they say about the qualifications need to admister

speech therapy in your state.

Of course you know Celeste is the expert on the law, especially in Michigan,

so I am sure she could shed some light on the exact process for your state,

but you need to get started on some type of complaint. Whether it should be

a local complaint, a state complaint or due process is really what you need

to decide based on your states proceedures and how far you are willing to

take this.

As far as the bus, if I remember right Crystal signs. If that is right then

I would suggest you ask for a person that can sign to be on the bus at all

times. This is a safety issue and it is her right to have equal access to

communication. This is covered under ADA. Crystal is entiled to have the

same access to communication as her non-hearing impaired peers, who would

give her instructions in an emergency? Or for that matter just the regular

daily instructions the other children get? As some one has alreday pointed

out MONEY can NOT be the reason they refuse anything!!!! I used this

argument to get our district to agree to have a person that can sign on the

bus for Zak. Unfortunately their idea of being able to sign and mine are

not the same, so keep that in mind and be as specific as possible when

writting it into the IEP. I am still driving Zak because the district feels

the aide on the bus has adequate signing skills and I do not.

Good luck . Dealing with the schools is never fun, and sadly it seems

to be an on going process.

RoseAnn

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/9/99 10:28:41 PM Eastern Standard Time,

tonya14@... writes:

> If you don't sign this IEP then the school has to fall back to the

> last one. They are legally mandated to provide the services specified in

it.

> Just don't sign

> this new IEP under any circumstances and appeal to the board of education

or

> whoever is indicated in your parents' rights if they don't

> deliver.

> Sharon

>

> >

IF you don't sign the new IEP it becomes effective within 7 days unless you

ask for a stay put on the old IEP, and it must be in writing, within 7 days

of the IEP meeting. You HAVE to write your objections to the IEP within 7

days!!

Orla

[Guest guest]

Freshstrt2000@... wrote:

> From: Freshstrt2000@...

>

> In a message dated 12/9/99 7:22:13 AM Eastern Standard Time,

> gprogers@... writes:

>

> << This is part of

> what is happening to you.

>

> Is this her first IEP? >>

>

> Her second for the school year........the first one does say one on one

> instruction and 2-3 times a week spt.......but they claim their former

> director should not of put that in there.......and that its impossible to

> meet......

>

If you don't sign this IEP then the school has to fall back to the

last one. They are legally mandated to provide the services specified in it.

Just don't sign

this new IEP under any circumstances and appeal to the board of education or

whoever is indicated in your parents' rights if they don't

deliver.

Sharon

>

>

> > All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each post is

the intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

[Guest guest]

On Thu, 09 Dec 1999 22:40:24 -0500, Sharon and Darby Ireland wrote:

>If you don't sign this IEP then the school has to fall back to the last one.

This is a very pervasive and persistent misconception. Due to sore

hands and limited time, following is what I wrote on this subject in

the past:

On Wed, 9 Sep 1998 00:47:36 -0400 (EDT), NYCuedSpC@... wrote:

>If she doesn't sign the new IEP, her old one stays in force.

This is a common misconception that continues to re-surface. It may or

may not be the case, depending on what action the parent(s) take

pursuant to their disagreement with the IEP as written. In any event,

a previously written, uncontested IEP cannot remain effective in

perpetuity. As an advocate of long standing, for many children, and

one who works for an attorney, the following is an explanation pursuant

to IDEA. There *may* be a state regulation which allow the old IEP to

remain effective if the parent(s) does not sign the new IEP, but I am

not aware of any. I would like to know if there are any such state

regs (which *could* supercede IDEA) and if so, how long the prior IEP

may stay in effect, if the parents will not agree to a new one as

written. However, in the absence of a state reg to the contrary, IDEA

(and case law pursuant to same) provides the following:

If a parent disagrees with what is written for the child's IEP (IDEA

does not give the parents control of the paper and pen) the parent may

contest the IEP as written. Then " stay- put " kicks in, meaning that

the last uncontested IEP remains in effect until the dispute is finally

settled. This requires that the parent must CONTEST the new IEP,

meaning that they must also request a due process hearing. They may

also request/agree to engage in, mediation, which would occur before

the hearing is initiated, and if successful, might resolve the issue(s)

without the need for a due process hearing. (Digression: even if the

parents only want mediation and cannot proceed with a DPH, they should

always request it, to preserve their right to appeal as well as to

initiate " stay-put " .)

But if the parent(s) does not request a due process hearing, merely

disagrees, or refuses to sign the IEP, it takes effect *as written* in

7 days, or on the initiation date, whichever is later.

If the parents proceed to a due process hearing, the non-prevailing

party, be it the parent or the school, may appeal the decision in

federal district court. (Pursuant to state regs, the non-prevailing

party may first be required to appeal to a state DOE review officer or

panel, if the state has a two-tiered sped hearing system.) Again, the

non-prevailing party may then appeal that decision to Federal District

Court. From there,

again, the non-prevailing party my appeal that decision to Federal

Circuit Court; and there,

again, the non-prevailing party my appeal that decision to the US

Supreme Court,

after which the process ends, with a Supreme Court decision.

The parents might not prevail, in which case, the IEP, as written (or

amended by the court,) with which the parents disagree, WILL go into

effect. At any point, the non-prevailing party may give up and decide

not to appeal, or the federal Circuit Court or the Supreme Court may

decline to hear the case. [Cert. denied.] If it is the parents

(whose pockets are not nearly as deep as school districts') who decide

not to continue to appeal, or whose request for appeal is denied, the

parents' disagreement is for naught, and the IEP as written or amended,

despite parental disagreement, WILL take effect.

Parents are granted some powerful tools, but they do not have

unilateral power for determining the final decision.

Celeste

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/10/99 1:51:10 AM Eastern Standard Time, OMac353@...

writes:

<< IF you don't sign the new IEP it becomes effective within 7 days unless

you

ask for a stay put on the old IEP, and it must be in writing, within 7 days

of the IEP meeting. You HAVE to write your objections to the IEP within 7

days!! >>

OH NO>........ We missed it then........

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/9/99 10:28:37 PM Eastern Standard Time,

tonya14@... writes:

<< If you don't sign this IEP then the school has to fall back to the last

one. They are legally mandated to provide the services specified in it. Just

don't sign

this new IEP under any circumstances and appeal to the board of education or

whoever is indicated in your parents' rights if they don't

deliver.

Sharon

>>

I thought no matter what the NEW one takes place then

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/9/99 10:51:32 PM Eastern Standard Time,

celestej@... writes:

<< But if the parent(s) does not request a due process hearing, merely

disagrees, or refuses to sign the IEP, it takes effect *as written* in

7 days, or on the initiation date, whichever is later. >>

Well we obviously missed this.........what do we do now??? Call a new IEP?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/10/99 6:19:21 AM Eastern Standard Time,

Freshstrt2000@... writes:

>

> << But if the parent(s) does not request a due process hearing, merely

> disagrees, or refuses to sign the IEP, it takes effect *as written* in

> 7 days, or on the initiation date, whichever is later. >>

>

> Well we obviously missed this.........what do we do now??? Call a new IEP?

>

> Thanks,

>

>

, reread Celeste's post, what is the initiation date (the date the IEP

will first be implemented)? If it is later than 7 days you still have time.

Dig it out and look it up!!

Orla

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/10/99 11:30:45 AM Eastern Standard Time,

OMac353@... writes:

<< , reread Celeste's post, what is the initiation date (the date the IEP

will first be implemented)? If it is later than 7 days you still have time.

Dig it out and look it up!! >>

Ok feeling very dumb........where is that written???? I don't see

that......all I see is " reconvened 11/30/99 " and " IEP Review/Revision "

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/10/99 11:30:45 AM Eastern Standard Time,

OMac353@... writes:

<< , reread Celeste's post, what is the initiation date (the date the IEP

will first be implemented)? If it is later than 7 days you still have time.

Dig it out and look it up!!

Orla >>

For " Operating District Commitment " Nothing is signed or dated.......or under

the " Parent/Guardian Consent " part either.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/10/99 11:35:15 AM Eastern Standard Time,

Freshstrt2000@... writes:

> Ok feeling very dumb........where is that written???? I don't see

> that......all I see is " reconvened 11/30/99 " and " IEP Review/Revision "

>

>

Don't feel dumb at all!!! I have to reread an IEP 3 or 4 times before it

makes sense to me!! (Mind you, I chalk that down to THEIR IEP and not my

brain - am I fooling myslef, LOL?)

The first page should state things like communication mode of the child,

placement, and look for something like, START DATE:

How old is Crystal now? If this is a turning 3 IEP, then it could start at

any time! Now that my son is 6, his IEP generally starts with the school

year.

Let us know! Orla

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/10/99 11:38:02 AM Eastern Standard Time,

Freshstrt2000@... writes:

>

> For " Operating District Commitment " Nothing is signed or dated.......or

> under

> the " Parent/Guardian Consent " part either.

>

>

>

Doesn't matter, unless you directly contest this IEP, a signature means

nothing! Orla

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/10/99 11:50:03 AM Eastern Standard Time,

OMac353@... writes:

<< The first page should state things like communication mode of the child,

placement, and look for something like, START DATE:

How old is Crystal now? If this is a turning 3 IEP, then it could start at

any time! Now that my son is 6, his IEP generally starts with the school

year.

>>

Ok......the first page says " Student Information " ...... " Purpose of the IEPC "

....... " Parent Contact " ...... " IEPC Meeting Participants and

Attendance " .....and " Multidisciplinary Evaluation " .....thats the first

page.....then the second page has " Student Eligibility " .... " Review of Current

IEP " " Student Profile and Progress " ......thats it for the second

page.......the third page says " Present Levels of Educational

Performance " ... " Consideration of Special Factors " .... " Reporting Progress " and

" Supplementary Aids and Services " .....the fourth page says..... " Least

Restrictive Enviroment Considerations " ...... " Student Placement " ........HEY I

FOUND IT.........LOL.......

It says proposed initiation date ....11/16/99.......continue through

11/16/00.............so what does that mean in terms of where we are at?? We

had to reconvene back on the 9th because their director was not present and

they could not answer some questions or make decisions......so the new date

was 11/30/99......????

Thanks.......forgive my ignorance.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/10/99 11:50:03 AM Eastern Standard Time,

OMac353@... writes:

<< How old is Crystal now? If this is a turning 3 IEP, then it could start

at

any time! Now that my son is 6, his IEP generally starts with the school

year. >>

She is 3......she started school this sept........they just always have IEPS

in Nov?????

[Guest guest]

> <<

> ILLEGAL, they cannot say they have no money. If your daughter requires

an

> aide, and at age 3 she should have one on the bus, they have to pay for

it.

> It must be in the IEP and it must be provided. >>

>

> I called our state capital........we have NO laws regarding aides on the

> bus..... We have no legal standing there. Pathetic huh?

,

You do have legal standing if it is in the IEP and they refuse to provide

it. Your job is to get it in the IEP.

If you want to talk to me then email me off list and I will send you my

phone number. I hate that this is happening. I hate that the school's play

fast and loose with the laws because the parents don't know what the law

says.

> Her second for the school year........the first one does say one on one

> instruction and 2-3 times a week spt.......but they claim their former

> director should not of put that in there.......and that its impossible to

> meet......

Who claimed this? How was it said? Is it in writing? Is it on tape? Did

you document the time, date, place, person, etc.? Do you follow phone calls

up with letters? If the IEP team said it was necessary and it was in the

IEP the school was obligated to provide it.

> Thanks so much for your help........we really need it!

I apologize if this sounds harsh but I don't have a lot of time right now.

You need to help yourself. If you are not willing to do that there is no

help that anyone on this list can give you. You need to call the district

and ask them for a copy of all federal special ed regs. Ask for IDEA,

FERPA, Section 504, and all state special ed regs. Sometimes just asking

for all of this is enough to get them to sit up and take notice. They often

get nervous when a parent starts educating themselves. All of these are

available on the internet as well.

Then read these. Read them again. It a lot of reading and pretty dry and

you will be learning new terminology but you must know and understand the

law. Read them again.

You are being jerked around. They do not have to provide a certified speech

therapist unless the IEP states they do. The IEP is everything. You must

get it all written in.

Who is your allay at school? Who is sympathetic to your child's needs?

Remember everything hinges on what she needs and what is appropriate. Learn

the correct terminology. Audio tape all meetings. Document everything, you

never know when it will come in handy. Make your documentation better than

theirs.

Barb

[Guest guest]

Well thanks to you guys giving me the little push.......I decided to write to

the Asst. Superintendent........they put me in touch with the " right "

person.....finally.......and (fingers crossed)....it looks like we will be

getting an attendent on the bus....... YAY!

One down.....two more to go......

Thanks everyone......I commend you all for your patience with me......I wish

you all a very HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!