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.
Showing posts with label independent educational assessment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label independent educational assessment. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
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.
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