FW: Our Rights as Mito Parents

[Guest guest]

Sorry folks! I tried to post this directly

but my e-mail wouldn’t go through.

Wow! – where to start.

First let me know how organized you are. Do you keep all of

’s IEP documents and medical history in a binder? Do you have a

copy of all his educational testing (WISK, ISTEP, CAT, IQ, …)? Have you kept track of all your correspondence

with his teachers, administrators and Special Education Coordinator?

If you want the school to pay for an alternative placement

there are a few legal battles you are going to have to overcome. Step One is

ORGANIZATION and DOCUMENTATION. Since you already mentioned litigation

I’m sure you’re painfully aware of this.

Once organized you need to do your homework. Brainstorm

– How has the school failed ? Is there anything that they should be

doing but can’t or won’t? What alternative placements are there

within the school district and why won’t they help progress

towards his goals; such as Homebound, Resource Assistance, Full time Special

Ed. ,… (I know some of these are not appropriate – but take the

time to list why).

What are ’s current goals? Are they being met?

If not, why?

What is ’s Present Level of Performance? (Math,

Science, . . . ) In other words what is he able to do now.

What are ’s Goals? – Where would you like

him to be academically at the end of the school year?

What are the Objectives to meet those goals? – How are

the goals going to be accomplished? (Nurse, use of Braille, Software that reads

to him, .. .)

Now – why can’t these goals be met in the

current environment? In order to get the school to pay for a Private School

placement you have to build a strong case that the school has failed your son.

In fact the school has let him down by not providing an appropriate education

– one in which is improving academically in. If you can not build a

case with years of documentation, then you still have the right to place

in any school you desire BUT the school district won’t have to pay for

it.

If you really want to fight the school – invest your

next $35 in Emotions to Advocacy by Pete and Pam

www.wrightslaw.com – this

book actually has sample letters in it for what your wanting to do.

Good Luck,

Sue Ann Bube

President, UMDF Indiana

Mother to with Mito and Special

Needs Educator for 11 years