It's that time again, and Parents everywhere are scrambling to get out of summer mode and back into school mode. If you have a child who receives special education, you have the added pressures that come with trying to make sure all services are in place when school starts. Here are a few tips to make it a little bit easier on yourself:
CHECK IN WITH THE ADMIN
1. Look at your child's last IEP, and find who the administrator for that IEP was on the sign in sheet. Call that person a week ahead of the first day of school and have them assure you that all services are in place. If you have questions about where to go or what to do for placement, they should be able to either answer you or point you in the direction of someone who can.
GO TO THAT IEP MEETING
2. If the school district wants to hold an IEP meeting at the beginning of school, GO! Many times, parents do not want to go through the rigors of an IEP meeting that early, but this is a great opportunity for you as a parent to be able to discuss any and all IEP-related issues early in the school year.
GIVE THE SCHOOL THE NEW INFO
3. If your child has any new diagnoses, medications, or services providers they gained over the summer, provide a list of all to the person in charge of your IEP or in charge of special education at your school immediately.
TAKE THE INITIATIVE
4. At the end of last school year, did someone tell you, "Well, the end of the year is coming up so we'll address that at the beginning of next school year." OK, guess what? THAT'S NOW! Any time after the first day of school, bring it up with whomever told you to wait. Submit a request in writing for an IEP meeting to discuss the issues immediately. Don't wait for the school district to address it on their own.
MAKE YOUR REQUESTS
5. If you want evaluations, changes made, additional services, different services, etc., don't wait to ask! Legal timelines give the school district time to consider your requests, but not until you make them. Submit formal written requests to your admin or the person in charge of special education immediately, and they can use their 2 week timeline to reply.
STICK WITH IT, YOU'RE DOING GREAT
6. If you're making that effort to be an active advocate for your little one, you're doing great! Keep it up! If you feel like you have questions, or need help, call us at (626) 765-9607 or email at eli@economoulawgroup.com.
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Timelines Are Important!
This time of year, it is important to think about certain timelines with regard to special education and certain requests.
Once you make a request for any special education-related assessment, a school district has 15 days to give you a response and/or an assessment plan to sign. Once a parent signs and returns that assessment plan to a school district, they have 60 days to complete the assessment and hold an IEP meeting to discuss the assessment results.
You may be asking "So why does this time of year have anything to do with that?" Good question. Those statutory timelines are tolled during school holidays of 5 days or longer. That means that all timelines stop during summer break. So if you request an assessment, and sign an assessment plan, and on day 59 the school district goes into summer break. that means your IEP will take place no later than the 2nd day of school NEXT school year.
The school district can finish the process sooner, but they are not compelled to do so by law. This also goes for a direct request for an IEP meeting, which the school district must comply with within 30 days. If that 30 days goes into summer, again it will take place NEXT school year.
The moral of the story is: Be prepared to wait, or, in the alternative, make sure to get those requests in prior to 2 months before summer break if you want your meetings to happen during the "current" school year.
Once you make a request for any special education-related assessment, a school district has 15 days to give you a response and/or an assessment plan to sign. Once a parent signs and returns that assessment plan to a school district, they have 60 days to complete the assessment and hold an IEP meeting to discuss the assessment results.
You may be asking "So why does this time of year have anything to do with that?" Good question. Those statutory timelines are tolled during school holidays of 5 days or longer. That means that all timelines stop during summer break. So if you request an assessment, and sign an assessment plan, and on day 59 the school district goes into summer break. that means your IEP will take place no later than the 2nd day of school NEXT school year.
The school district can finish the process sooner, but they are not compelled to do so by law. This also goes for a direct request for an IEP meeting, which the school district must comply with within 30 days. If that 30 days goes into summer, again it will take place NEXT school year.
The moral of the story is: Be prepared to wait, or, in the alternative, make sure to get those requests in prior to 2 months before summer break if you want your meetings to happen during the "current" school year.
Friday, July 31, 2015
Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)
Many people ask me about independent assessments. Mostly, the questions are:
1. Do I need an independent assessment?
2. Are independent assessments better than school district assessments?
3. Can I get the school district to pay for an independent assessment?
4. Is the school district bound by what the independent assessment says?
The most basic answer is that you are entitled to an independent assessment at school district expense in the event that a school district has done an assessment that does not meet legal standards. This includes any and all special education assessments, including comprehensive assessments, speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc.
In my experience, while independent assessments are generally more extensive than school district assessments, they are not always "better." You must make sure that, prior to getting an independent assessment, you get a copy of the assessor's resume or CV and see their qualifications. Make sure that it will be them personally doing the testing, or, if not, who will be and how they are involved. Also, ask if they have redacted reports that you can look at as examples. The biggest issue that I have had with independent assessments is assessment reports that do not contain recommendations, or contain recommendations so broad they are useless in terms of aiding at an IEP meeting.
School districts must take into account an IEE at an IEP meeting, but are not bound by what the independent assessment says. As such, if you anticipate litigation, make sure the assessor you choose has experience testifying and is willing to do so on your behalf.
The Economou Law Group has extensive experience reviewing special education assessments, including IEEs, and also has direct relationships with many IEE providers in all areas. Call today at (626) 765-9607 if you think your child needs an IEE.
1. Do I need an independent assessment?
2. Are independent assessments better than school district assessments?
3. Can I get the school district to pay for an independent assessment?
4. Is the school district bound by what the independent assessment says?
The most basic answer is that you are entitled to an independent assessment at school district expense in the event that a school district has done an assessment that does not meet legal standards. This includes any and all special education assessments, including comprehensive assessments, speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc.
In my experience, while independent assessments are generally more extensive than school district assessments, they are not always "better." You must make sure that, prior to getting an independent assessment, you get a copy of the assessor's resume or CV and see their qualifications. Make sure that it will be them personally doing the testing, or, if not, who will be and how they are involved. Also, ask if they have redacted reports that you can look at as examples. The biggest issue that I have had with independent assessments is assessment reports that do not contain recommendations, or contain recommendations so broad they are useless in terms of aiding at an IEP meeting.
School districts must take into account an IEE at an IEP meeting, but are not bound by what the independent assessment says. As such, if you anticipate litigation, make sure the assessor you choose has experience testifying and is willing to do so on your behalf.
The Economou Law Group has extensive experience reviewing special education assessments, including IEEs, and also has direct relationships with many IEE providers in all areas. Call today at (626) 765-9607 if you think your child needs an IEE.
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Special Education Assessments
The backbone of special education (aside from the IEP team) are assessments. Many parents have seen assessment reports if their children are qualified to receive special education services. However, most parents probably don't understand a lot of the information in those reports. Moreover, many parents do not get sufficient explanation of said reports during IEP meetings.
Tell me if this situation rings a bell: You're at your child's IEP meeting, and an assessment report is put in front of you for the first time. The assessor then reads the report to the IEP team. Once the reading is done, the administrator asks if there are any questions. As a parent, you don't really understand a lot of it, but you are embarrassed to ask questions because it took so long to read and everyone just wants to get out of there.
This is the case of many parents out there. However, as the most important members of the IEP team, you are entitled to a full understanding of all reports. Next time, ask for a copy of the reports in advance of the meeting. Come prepared with questions about anything / everything you don't understand, and go through those questions rather than having the assessor simply read their report. That way, you can meaningfully participate in the IEP.
The Economou Law Group has extensive experience reviewing all types of special education assessments, both for their content and legal appropriateness. If you have questions or concerns regarding your child and their assessments, call us today for your free consultation at (626) 765-9607.
Tell me if this situation rings a bell: You're at your child's IEP meeting, and an assessment report is put in front of you for the first time. The assessor then reads the report to the IEP team. Once the reading is done, the administrator asks if there are any questions. As a parent, you don't really understand a lot of it, but you are embarrassed to ask questions because it took so long to read and everyone just wants to get out of there.
This is the case of many parents out there. However, as the most important members of the IEP team, you are entitled to a full understanding of all reports. Next time, ask for a copy of the reports in advance of the meeting. Come prepared with questions about anything / everything you don't understand, and go through those questions rather than having the assessor simply read their report. That way, you can meaningfully participate in the IEP.
The Economou Law Group has extensive experience reviewing all types of special education assessments, both for their content and legal appropriateness. If you have questions or concerns regarding your child and their assessments, call us today for your free consultation at (626) 765-9607.
Monday, July 27, 2015
Private vs. Nonpublic Schools
Parents often wish to take advantage of the environment that private schools have to offer their children. However, many times when I speak to parents, they believe that a "private" school is the same environment as a "nonpublic" school. While the terms seem to be interchangeable, for purposes of establishing special education requirements, they are different.
A private school is an educational institution which is completely private, not receiving any public funding whatsoever. These institutions are not subject to the terms enumerated in the federal Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA). As such, Private Schools do not have any enumerated special education service requirements. Many do offer certain accommodations and services for children who require special education, but legally they are not beholden to federal law as private schools.
Nonpublic schools, on the other hand, are institutions registered with the CA Department of Education, that do receive public funding. Most often, the nature of these schools are that they are entirely populated with children who are qualified to receive special education services in a certain area. As such, they are one of the most restrictive placements in the continuum of special education placements. However, they are required to follow the federal and state laws as they receive public funding.
Knowing the difference between these two terms for special education purposes may be necessary, especially if a school district is offering your child placement in a nonpublic school. The Economou Law Group can aid in determining the need for nonpublic placement based on your child's records, and also the appropriateness of nonbpublic placements throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. Call today at (626) 765-9607 for your free records review and consultation.
A private school is an educational institution which is completely private, not receiving any public funding whatsoever. These institutions are not subject to the terms enumerated in the federal Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA). As such, Private Schools do not have any enumerated special education service requirements. Many do offer certain accommodations and services for children who require special education, but legally they are not beholden to federal law as private schools.
Nonpublic schools, on the other hand, are institutions registered with the CA Department of Education, that do receive public funding. Most often, the nature of these schools are that they are entirely populated with children who are qualified to receive special education services in a certain area. As such, they are one of the most restrictive placements in the continuum of special education placements. However, they are required to follow the federal and state laws as they receive public funding.
Knowing the difference between these two terms for special education purposes may be necessary, especially if a school district is offering your child placement in a nonpublic school. The Economou Law Group can aid in determining the need for nonpublic placement based on your child's records, and also the appropriateness of nonbpublic placements throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. Call today at (626) 765-9607 for your free records review and consultation.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Consent and Agreement in IEPs
One of the biggest issues that Parents routinely bring to me is the issue of consent to their child's IEP. The situation frequently occurs where you've just had a long meeting with a lot of information presented, and then the IEP administrator plops down the consent page in front of you for signature. As a parent, you're not sure about all the information you've heard, but you feel tremendous pressure with a table full of people staring at you. What do you do?
The majority of parents, in my experience, sign right then and there whether or not they understand or agree. If you've been in that situation, trust me you are not alone.
As a parent, you are the most valuable member of the IEP team (according to both federal and CA state law). You have to be afforded meaningful participation in all IEP meetings, which means your full understanding and agreement with all provisions. Unfortunately, many times this doesn't occur for whatever reason.
I advise all my clients, and anyone who I speak to on this topic, to take the IEP document (along with any and all assessments) home with them to review prior to signing their consent. This doesn't necessarily mean to have them reviewed by an attorney, but just to go over them in more detail so that you understand all provisions. If you have specific questions, write them down and ask for a follow up IEP meeting to discuss them. That way, when you sign consent, you are providing consent and agreement rather than just feeling pressured into signing at the end of a long meeting.
The Economou Law Group has extensive experience in reviewing IEP documents, assessment reports and records for children with all disabilities. If you feel that an attorney review is necessary, we offer free record review and consultation. Call us today at (626) 765-9607.
The majority of parents, in my experience, sign right then and there whether or not they understand or agree. If you've been in that situation, trust me you are not alone.
As a parent, you are the most valuable member of the IEP team (according to both federal and CA state law). You have to be afforded meaningful participation in all IEP meetings, which means your full understanding and agreement with all provisions. Unfortunately, many times this doesn't occur for whatever reason.
I advise all my clients, and anyone who I speak to on this topic, to take the IEP document (along with any and all assessments) home with them to review prior to signing their consent. This doesn't necessarily mean to have them reviewed by an attorney, but just to go over them in more detail so that you understand all provisions. If you have specific questions, write them down and ask for a follow up IEP meeting to discuss them. That way, when you sign consent, you are providing consent and agreement rather than just feeling pressured into signing at the end of a long meeting.
The Economou Law Group has extensive experience in reviewing IEP documents, assessment reports and records for children with all disabilities. If you feel that an attorney review is necessary, we offer free record review and consultation. Call us today at (626) 765-9607.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Educational Records
One of the best ways to determine appropriate progress (or inappropriate progress) for your child is to review their educational records. I advise all my clients to purchase a three ring binder and organize all of their child's educational records in chronological order for easy review and organization.
The reason for this structure is simple. Any person that has ever attended an IEP meeting knows that, at the very best, the school district in question is looking at your child's IEP from the year prior and their current offer. They are not viewing your child in terms of the entirety of their academic career. However, in order to truly know an ineffective or effective program for a child, review of more than one year's school records is frequently necessary.
More times than I can count, parents have said to me "I know that my child is not performing appropriately, but the school district says they are making progress toward their goals." With the child's entire file at your fingertips, you have information to support your contention. All you have to do is make the request, and the school district has to provide those records to you within 5 days.
The Economou Law Group offers free records review and parent consultation, and will make that request on your behalf, along with organization and review of scholastic records for any and all legal issues. Call today at (626) 765-9607 for your consultation!
The reason for this structure is simple. Any person that has ever attended an IEP meeting knows that, at the very best, the school district in question is looking at your child's IEP from the year prior and their current offer. They are not viewing your child in terms of the entirety of their academic career. However, in order to truly know an ineffective or effective program for a child, review of more than one year's school records is frequently necessary.
More times than I can count, parents have said to me "I know that my child is not performing appropriately, but the school district says they are making progress toward their goals." With the child's entire file at your fingertips, you have information to support your contention. All you have to do is make the request, and the school district has to provide those records to you within 5 days.
The Economou Law Group offers free records review and parent consultation, and will make that request on your behalf, along with organization and review of scholastic records for any and all legal issues. Call today at (626) 765-9607 for your consultation!
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