Help ISD wants to make us wait a month to get daughter into special program!!!?

Question

Our 7 yr old daughter, her regular school and IEP team agree that a special program at the ISD is what she needs...The special ed supervisor said he wants her to do a few more weeks in tthe regular classroom setting before he okays moving her...I need advice about how to convince him that she should be moved now...he has never even met her...any particular state or federal statutes would help...we are in Michigan.

Answer 1

Once the IEP team has concluded that your daughter requires a more restrictive program at the ISD, then it is the responsibility of the supervisor and ISD to make arrangements as soon as possible.  Under the federal guidelines, every child has the right to a free and "appropriate" public education and since the IEP determined this education to specifically be at the ISD, it must be implemented.  I will tell you that it is not uncommon for actual placement to typically take a few weeks anyway.  The best thing for you to do is to talk first to the director of special education in your district.  If you get no where with this person, then you can contact the compliance officer at the Intermediate School District and file a complaint.

Answer 2

What is ISD? I assume it is a type of program but what type?

Regardless, it is an IEP team decision. I'm not sure why there is a time issue. Perhaps more info about the program would help clarify.

Answer 3

OK, was the decision of putting her in the special school  put in writing and wrote into her IEP plan?

If it is, they are to do this IMMEDIATELY and CAN NOT stall.

If it's NOT, it is not considered legal and they can NOT put her in this school without it first being written into the IEP plan.

First you need to make sure this is written into the IEP plan that this is where she is to go. If it IS, what you have to do is write to the supervisor and request 'prior written notice' for their refusal to follow the IEP plan and place her in this school. Also state that this is a violation of federal IDEA law.

Also file a formal state complaint with your state dept of education for violation of the IDEA law.

If it is NOT written into the IEP plan, write a letter to the supervisor stating what was agreed upon, when, by whom, etc and request taht this new school be written into the IEP plan.

If they DON'T write it into the IEP plan, there is more you can do.  

If you need help please email me at   [e-mail]