How do I find out about a district's special education?

Question

I'm finding out the real hard way that the school district we live in is not good when there are special ed children. My daughter is very high functioning (I don't like classifying kids like that, but to get my point across) autistic. She does need speech and social skills groups at the minimum. The school we're in is refusing all services. They're also claiming that no one in the school sees any autistic traits in her. I know this to not be true because I've spoken with other teachers. Anyway, I may have an opportunity to move, but I have no idea how to go about researching special education within a district. Both of my children are sort of stuck in the middle; They have enough issues to *need* help, but not enough to get the help.

How do I find out if the district we may move to is going to be better? Any online resources?

Answer 1

On the district's website there should be a special ed section. Btw, we are in the same boat with my son. He was diagnosed with AS by an outside psychologist. But, this doesn't really count. Is your daughter at least in the special ed system? My son is in under OHI Other Health Impaired. They agree that he has a problem that affects his behavior and has impeded his education, but they don't agree that it is AS. He does see a psychologist outside of school, but he doesn't have any other things done. He is a freshman in high school this year and seems to be doing very well, but we keep a close eye on it.

Answer 2

I am not sure  how to tell how specific schools are about special ed.

But I do know that most schools across the country are like the one you are experiencing now.

All public schools have to follow FEDERAL laws for special ed called 'IDEA' individuals with disabilitites education act'.

Schools and parents are suppose to follow this law. This law spells out a step by step process that must be followed in determining if a child qualifies for special ed.

The problem is, most parents don't know this law even exists and schools ain't about to tell them because they do not want to help with special ed.

To have any chance of the school (any school) helping your child, you will need to learn these laws and how to USE them.

Go to www.wrightslaw.com  and  www.reedmartin.com  

to learn the laws and the process.

If the school your child is in now did not follow every step, you can take action to get this corrected and the school will HAVE to follow the law, if not you can take action by filing complaints, mediation, etc.

Usually the corruption of special ed in public school is kept under wraps because they don't want the public to know they are wasting their tax dollars.

When parents have to take a school to court just to help their child, there is usually a 'gag order' which mandates the parent can not tell anyone how bad the school is.

If you need help learning the process and how to get help, you can email me   [e-mail]

Changing schools will not help, they are the same everywhere.  The reason for this is because even though there are laws that must be followed and that protect the parent and child, these laws do no good at all because there is no one to ENFORCE the schools to follow the laws. Some state dept of education allows and approves schools to be corrupt (like in GA for example)  

Parents really have to fight like crazy, but then it still does no good most times. Even if you do get past the hurdle of qualifying for special ed, then comes the years ahead of fighting the school ALL the time just to make sure they are doing what they are suppose to do. Most times they don't and they arent' about to.

Hate to tell you all this but it is the absolute truth. There aer many sites to find out about this corruption of special ed in schools. Wall Street Journal has had many articles on this.

Some of the things the school is/was suppose to do for you and your child is listed below, did they do any of this? If not, they are violating FEDERAL law and you can take action. If they did not do these things, it is because they know your child DOES qualify for help and they are getting out of it --

1. At the time you asked to see if she could qualify for special ed, they were suppose to give you a 'parents rights' and 'procedural safeguards' booklet

2. You were suppose to sign a parent consent form giving them permission to do testing to see if she qualifies for special ed. Did they do any testing?

3. They were to hold an IEP meeting after testing was done to go over results and determine eligibility.

4. You are suppose to recieve copies of all test reports and scores.

5. They were suppose to give you 'prior written notice' stating their reasons for refusing special ed including 7 areas required by law

Answer 3

Try Wrightslaw.com it's a special education website

Answer 4

I would tell you to fight the school for your child's rights to FAPE that she isn't getting. But this usually ends up hurting the child as districts have been known to mistreat kids and their families after they are called on the carpet for not following the law. Any form of autism is covered under special ed. and yes the school should do testing for the specific learning disabilities so an IEP can be developed. But it sounds like this would be better investigated at the new school. Contact the director for student services (special ed. director) of the new school and ask about their special ed program and what they offer kids with your child's diagnosis. She may talk on the phone or set up an appointment. Below are links to sites that offer free help.

Answer 5

If you are still unable to find info on the districts website, possibly the best way to get information would be to find the head of the special education dept and e-mail him/her to find out about their services.  For the most part they should reply!

  As for the issues that you are having with the school, I would due process or at least threaten it, the school is more likely to give you what you want if you threaten to sue!

Answer 6

First - I am certain whatever state you are in - there is an advocacy group that can help translate school speak and medical speak.  It is unfortunate that sometimes we all in schools know exactly what we are talking about and sometimes we don't know that the parent doesn't understand unless they ask questions.  If you don't ask questions - schools assume that you understand.

There are 2 basic things that you have to figure out - 1 is that there is federal law that sets out what the basic criteria is for special education services.  Then there is the state laws that may be more refined that the Federal Law although they need to comply with the intent of the Federal Law.

If the school evaluation indicates that your student meets one of the 'categories', there also has to be an educational impact that is based on that category.  (For example if your student has an IQ of 135 and is failing every subject - there is an educational impact - If your student has an IQ of 95 and is pulling C's and B's - no educational impact.

For some disability categories that schools have to use, there must be an MD diagnosis within the previous 12 months. (in my state this would be ADD, ADHD etc) For some disability categories the school can serve students who have a 'group' of symptoms and behaviors typically associated with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) with or without a medical diagnosis - if there is educational impact.

I have evaluated many students who have outside ASD diagnosis but are, at this time - ok in school.  I have evaluated many students who have NO ASD diagnosis but have needs along that line that are strugling and need service in school.

When you look in the realm of Neurobiological disorders - there is a lot of overlap and some students are impacted by different things at different times.  (Neurobio disorders included but are not limited to: Tourettes, Rhetts, EBD, ADD, ADHD, PDD-nos, ASD, etc)

Here's what you need to do:

1 - find an advocacy group - if you don't know where to start - start with ARC (Association for Retarded Citizens) they have been around forever and can direct you somewhere that fits where you live.

2 - go you your State's Dept of Education Website find a link to Special Education and see what, in your state the categories are and print of the criteria for getting services in those categories.

3 - Call the school district and ask if they have a Parent Educator who can help you sort through stuff.

4 - Make an appointment with the Special Ed Director or Coordinator to have them help you understand what they CAN and CANNOT do and what you can do and who can help you.  They are required to provide you with a Procedural Rights pamphlet that will give you phone numbers of who to call.

Hope this helps you to advocate for your child.

Answer 7

First, each party - you and the school - must base your requests/refusals on data.  Collect all of the reasons you believe your child needs these services and objectively present it.  Objectivity and individualized reasoning are very important.   I suggest that you request the school's data, which, i f she is in special education for autism, they should be keeping regularly.  I suggest you also request a copy of your daughter's educational records.

If your daughter has not yet been found eligible for special education, request testing.  If you disagree with what the school's testing finds, request an Independent Educational Evaluation, for which the school must pay.  

If your child has already been found eligible, then you are talking about the contents of the IEP.  You should not sign agreement to an IEP with which you disagree.  If you refuse to sign and head towards due process, please consider an attorney.  

I suggest calling your state's Office for Protection and Advocacy.  Each state has one.  They may be able to provide you technical assistance or even representation. You might also call legal aid and search your state's law schools for children's law clinics.  Please call them as soon as is possible.  

Importantly, begin keeping an organized notebook.  You can organize it either by straight chronology or you can organize it by section (medical, psychological, IEP, report cards, communication, et cetera) and within those sections organize the documents chronologically.  You should bring this with you to every single meeting.  You may also increase your chances of being represented by one of the agencies, clinics or an attorney because of your organized, rational presentation.  

Whenever possible, communicate with the school in writing.  If you have a verbal communication, follow-up with a dated  letter or email recapping the conversation.  Make and keep copies in your notebook.

Finally, your actual question.  There are many places that offer information about special education and autism in particular, but finding a reputable one is key.  Our friend above recommended Wrightslaw.  They publish a book called something like "Special Education Law."  It contains the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 USC 1400 et seq.) and the accompanying federal regulations.  Read this, all of it.  These are the rules.  Some parents do not read the rules, which make them very bad at advocating for their child, and makes them sound very foolish when they call actually knowledgeable professionals about their problem. Of course,  case law has clarified some of the Act, so not every single thing can be learned from the reading it, but it is really important.  Next, read your state's special education regulations by accessing them through their Department of Education website.  

The Council for Exceptional Children is very reputable.  There is an annual fee to join, but it is worth it in my opinion.  Their publications are considered among the most reputable by professors.  

To learn about a school system to which you might move you'll really have to rely on word of mouth.  There are not many times I will advocate relying on a non-professional's opinion with regards to (especially) autism.  However, this is probably a good time to do so.  Whatever the school system is or is not doing, they are held to the IDEA.

If this sounds complicated, post an update detailing what more you'd like.

Answer 8

go to the school board, ask bunches of questions and don't stop until you get answers. kids classified as special ed, they have different rights other than regular ed, some of them are even better. get on your p.c. look up as much as possible. you have the right to get a IEP too.

Answer 9

In the new district, go to a special ed PTA meeting. Meet other parents. You can visit the school and ask to talk to the special ed teacher.

In your current school, you can request in writing that she get fully tested at the districts expense (they will do the testing at school). Here the school has 30 days to hold a meeting with the parents once they get that DATED letter. If she is not passing or getting low scores, see if the teacher will write you a letter that states what she sees. If this is a public school, they MUST give her services if she warrants it. There are child advocates that can help you and one must be present at the meeting to help you.