I was floored when i saw my son's IEP!?

Question

my son is now in the 8th grade. i had his iep last june at the end of the 7th grade yr. well they couldn't print it at the meeting for some reason and said they would mail it to me. well i never got it. so i waited for school to start again and requested it from the spec ed secretary. i got 9/12/07.

i compaired the 7th and 8th grade ieps and it looks like they just used 7th's as a template and added a few paragraphs. it says he is still reading at the same level (same book, same section) there are 2 paragraphs that say the exact same thing but one says he is at a 4th/5th gr reading level and the says he is at 5th/6th gr reading level. the iep is horrible written.

then the other thing is, my son was put back on meds in may. we had the iep in june. but the iep says i refuse to put him on meds. (it makes no sense) it goes on and on how i will not go to the school during school hours, which is a lie, i work 4 block away and i always tell them to schedule things around my

Answer 1

This is from the US Dept of Eduaction :

To develop an IEP, the local education agency officials and others involved in the child's educational program meet to discuss education related goals. By law, the following people must be invited to attend the IEP meeting:

~One or both of the child's parents

~The child's teacher or prospective teacher

~A representative of the public agency (local education agency), other than the child's teacher, who is qualified to provide or supervise the provision of special education

~The child, if appropriate

~Other individuals at the discretion of the parent or agency (such as a physician, advocate, or neighbor)

With the 1997 Reauthorization of IDEA (P.L. 105-17), parents now must be included as "members of any group that makes decisions on the educational placement of the child." IEP meetings must be held at least annually, but may be held more often if needed. Parents may request a review or revision of the IEP at any time. While teachers and school personnel may come prepared for the meeting with an outline of goals and objectives, the IEP is not complete until it has been thoroughly discussed and all parties agree to the written document.

Parents are entitled to participate in the IEP meeting as equal participants with suggestions and opinions regarding their child's education. They may bring a list of suggested goals and objectives, as well as additional information that may be pertinent, to the IEP meeting.

The local education agency (LEA) must attempt to schedule the IEP meeting at a time and place agreeable to both school staff and parents. School districts must notify parents in a timely manner so that they will have an opportunity to attend. The notification must indicate the purpose of the meeting (i.e. to discuss transition services, behavior problems interfering with learning, academic growth).

Parents may encounter stipulations presented by school personnel that may not necessarily be supported by the provisions of the IDEA. Some statements have included:

"IEPs must be a predetermined number of pages."

"IEPs are to be completed without parental input and only a certain number of goals and objectives are allowed on the IEP."

"If your objective doesn't fit into the field length on our computer program, it can't be included."

There is nothing in the federal law that supports these type of statements or stipulations. While parents should not accept misinformation concerning the IEP, you don't need to approach the parent/school relationship in an adversarial manner. It is in everyone's best interest to remember that both parents and teachers share a common goal: to develop a program that will be appropriate for the child with autism. By sharing information and knowledge, parents and schools can collaborate to develop a truly effective IEP.

***Reviewing and Revising the IEP

The child's IEP is reviewed by the IEP team at least once a year, or more often if the parents or school ask for a review. If necessary, the IEP is revised. Parents, as team members, must be invited to attend these meetings. Parents can make suggestions for changes, can agree or disagree with the IEP goals, and agree or disagree with the placement.

*If parents do not agree with the IEP and placement, they may discuss their concerns with other members of the IEP team and try to work out an agreement. There are several options, including additional testing, an independent evaluation, or asking for mediation (if available) or a due process hearing. They may also file a complaint with the state education agency.

The IEP team must review the child's IEP at least once a year. One purpose of this review is to see whether the child is achieving his or her annual goals. The team must revise the child's individualized education program, if necessary, to address:

~the child's progress or lack of expected progress toward the annual goals and in the general curriculum;

~information gathered through any reevaluation of the child;

~information about the child that the parents share;

~information about the child that the school shares (for example, insights from the teacher based on his or her observation of the child or the child's classwork);

~the child's anticipated needs; or

~other matters.

Although the IDEA requires this IEP review at least once a year, in fact the team may review and revise the IEP more often. Either the parents or the school can ask to hold an IEP meeting to revise the child's IEP. For example, the child may not be making progress toward his or her IEP goals, and his or her teacher or parents may become concerned. On the other hand, the child may have met most or all of the goals in the IEP, and new ones need to be written. In either case, the IEP team would meet to revise the IEP.

*** When the IEP has been written, parents must receive a copy at no cost to themselves. The IDEA also stresses that everyone who will be involved in implementing the IEP must have access to the document. This includes the child's:

regular education teacher(s); special education teacher(s);

related service provider(s) (for example, speech therapist); or any other service provider (such as a paraprofessional) who will be responsible for a part of the child's education.

Each of these individuals needs to know what his or her specific responsibilities are for carrying out the child's IEP. This includes the specific accommodations, modifications, and supports that the child must receive, according to the IEP.

***About if you do not agree with the child's IEP or you are having a problem with the school about the child's IEP:

There are times when parents may not agree with the school's recommendations about their child's education. Under the law, parents have the right to challenge decisions about their child's eligibility, evaluation, placement, and the services that the school provides to the child. If parents disagree with the school's actions-or refusal to take action-in these matters, they have the right to pursue a number of options. They may do the following:

*Try to reach an agreement. Parents can talk with school officials about their concerns and try to reach an agreement. Sometimes the agreement can be temporary. For example, the parents and school can agree to try a plan of instruction or a placement for a certain period of time and see how the student does.

*Ask for mediation. During mediation, the parents and school sit down with someone who is not involved in the disagreement and try to reach an agreement. The school may offer mediation, if it is available as an option for resolving disputes prior to due process.

*Ask for due process. During a due process hearing, the parents and school personnel appear before an impartial hearing officer and present their sides of the story. The hearing officer decides how to solve the problem. (Note: Mediation must be available at least at the time a due process hearing is requested.)

*File a complaint with the state education agency. To file a complaint, generally parents write directly to the SEA and say what part of IDEA they believe the school has violated. The agency must resolve the complaint within 60 calendar days. An extension of that time limit is permitted only if exceptional circumstances exist with respect to the complaint.

Answer 2

Request a new IEP, given the reasons that you mentioned. Don't take no for an answer.

Don't worry about complaining. You have most of the power in the situation. The way you complain will make a difference as to whether you are heard the first time. Be firm and insistent as opposed to being angry and demanding.

If they refuse to write a new IEP, then it is time to go to the principal. Then go to the superintendent. If nothing works, file a complaint with your state's Department of Education.

Finally, read the Parent's Rights that should have been given to you at each meeting. That will help you structure your complaint. If they have not given one of these to you, that in and of itself is a cause for complaint that will cost the school district money. Remember though, that any money the school district loses results in less money for children.

Answer 3

Who attended the iep meeting?  When my kids were in speech they had to write ieps.  I know I had to sign it, the speech teacher had to sign it, the regular teacher had to sign it and an administrator.  I think when my oldest daughter joined the TAG program that iep came from the county level.  If I were you I think I would try to find the highest ranking person on the iep, whether that be the principal or someone from the county level.  Call and set up an appointment to go over what is written on the iep.  Take a note from the doctor showing that your son started the meds in May.  It might be beneficial to have your son's teacher in the meeting also.  Just show them the information that you don't agree with and ask that it be rewritten.  If you can't get the school to do anything then go to the county level.  Remember, it's the squeaky wheel that gets the oil.

Answer 4

YOU have all the rights.  Do not sign it and contact the Special Ed teacher and request a meeting, this is a thing they MUST do.  Have them explain the IEP to you and their rationale.  In the end, it is YOU and your SON who must be satisfied with what is going on with your son's education.  Try and be nice and if you do not get satisfaction within the school and the district, contact the Dept. of Education in your state, they can help you seek advocacy and they do take these things very seriously.  I do not know both sides of this situation, but generally speaking, parents have all the power when it comes to their children who receive services....keep that in mind.

Answer 5

Meds for what?  I am guessing ADD or ADHD.  My 14year old son is ADD.  We have not had him on meds and he is flunking everything!  I would write a very detailed letter.  Explaining that you do not appriciate being treated like this.  The school has gotten way too full of them selves.  You are a working mom and SO ARE THEY!  I would lay out exactly what you want to change.  Like

" I expect my son and myself to be treated with respect at all times.  I want the iep (im not sure what that is exactly) to reflect the truth re; all aspects of my child including medications"

  I would include a note from your Dr. stating when meds started I would personally hand deliver a copy to the special ed sec, the principal, the PTA president and the board of education.  Mention pulling him out and homeschooling him.   They loose federal and state money if you do.  Don't back down.  They do not have to be your friend but they DO have to treat you and your son with respect and dignity.  Be as professional as possible (hard for me i'd be in their faces) and make them be the same.

Answer 6

What you may want to do is request and IEP update, submit the "changes" in writing, like meds, etc. It may  be that they wrote the plan a few weeks ahead of time and didnt include the new info. This way, you dont put blame on anyone but get what you want.

Answer 7

I understand your pain.  In the future, meet with the teacher to go over all IEPs before the official meeting.  You two can adjust any goals or verbage at that time.  Believe me, this lowers the tension for all.

Answer 8

I am wondering if you signed the new IEP??  You should always get a full copy of the new IEP and read it before signing.  If you have not signed it yet, then you can refuse to do so and demand a meeting to address the issues you can and get corrections in place.  If you have signed it, you can file a complaint and ask for an immediate reveiw to be done to address the concerns.  I can't stress to parents enough...never , ever wait more than a few days for a copy of an IEP.  If you don't have it in your hand when you leave that meeting, call the school the next day to pick it up.  If they say they sent it out and you don't have it within five days, call them and demand they have it ready at the office that afternoon...period.  Waiting though the summer lost some valuable time.

Now it is not unusal for schools to have "canned" IEP comments...they use the same comments and adjust for grade levels and for new goals.  However, no two IEPS should be identical except for comments here or there.  Schools should also do their best to accomodate to your schedule, but they may have made comments if you refused several offered dates or had to reschedule frequently.  Now why that is in the IEP am not sure...is it possible those are copies of the meeting notes bundled up with the IEP?  You should get copies of notes as well, so that is possible.

Contact the school and get another meeting schedule immediately.  Keep track of the time limits they have for setting it up...look in the copy of parent's rights you should have gotten..and keep on them to be sure they meet it.  Good luck.

Answer 9

You can request (in writing) another IEP meeting and address all of these issues.  At the meeting the IEP can be modified and make sure you get a copy before you leave the IEP meeting.

Answer 10

Do you have a copy of your parental rights? If not you may be able to download from your district website under special ed. Or call the district SPED office and get them to send you another copy. On it it should have the contact numbers who to call. Take this one above the principal.

States may vary but it is obvious they screwed up. Call another IEP to amend the errors.Take someone with you to the next IEP to listen objectively

Answer 11

I would take it up with a program specialist or program coordinator for the special education department. If your district doesn't have one of those go to the director of special education. In addition you can call a new IEP. The district should schedule one 30 days after parent request is made, and if you feel their assessment of your child is incomplete or inaccurate you can request a full re-assessment of your child's present level of functioning. Also if you feel your child is not making adequate progress you should state that also.

www.wrightslaw.com has great information on advocating for your child and using the right legal language to make the school sit up and take notice.

Answer 12

Don't go to the Principal that's not where the IEP's are drawn up.  They are drawn up at the Special Education Office of your school board. You need to either go there or call there and let them know that you won't sign it.  But know this if you don't sign it they will have to use last years until a new one is written up. Than I would request another IEP meeting ASAP and let them know that  you're not happy with the way that things were done and that you except them to be done better the next time. You need to make sure that when you have the meeting that you make notes so that if what was said was not written on the new one you have proof of what was said at the meeting.  You also need to get your attorney on board just in case you need him to rattle the cage a little.  But request a new IEP meeting now and tell them you want it before the Columbus day off.  That gives them about 3 weeks.