I would like to move my son from special ed public school classes to a private school...?

Question

I am not happy with his IEP, haven't been for a long time...it exhausts me to even go to an IEP meeting...I never get anywhere...my son belongs in general ed...but they feel it would be overwhelming to him...(aspergers)...and I somewhat agree...because the enviroment....would be stressful...but academically he is doing fine(????). I don't want him to become behind...They will not consider an aide....LRE isn't happening...the school just decides...and guilts you into it...and talk over my opinion...because they try to say...they know what is best. I have looked at other schools and would like to just like to move him somewhere else....where I think he would get the attention he needs...any advice?

Answer 1

As a parent you have legal rights to request an aid if your child would benefit from the service. You need to find an advocate in your city. But first try to work with the special education department where your child is now. Let them know how you are feeling towards the various issues with the service and IEP meetings, if they do not work with you them seek help. IT IS YOUR RIGHT!!!

Answer 2

Many times students with aspergers do need some extra help, and there is no reason why your son should not have it.  However, if you feel that the school is not working for him, then he should be moved.  For example, one of my best friends is a special ed teacher in the Bronx.  What they have there is a classroom that is designed to have high functioning special ed students (this year she has 3 with aspergers) in a class with lower functioning general ed students.  The class does go a bit slower, but also it goes a bit faster than a strictly special ed class.  You should maybe see if your school offers a colaberation class like this.  If it does not, then based on your childs needs, certainly switch him to another school if they can offer him what he needs.  Obiously you are not ashamed that he needs the extra help, but you want him to be a bit more challanged and that is the way it should be, your child working up to his fullest potential.  I know the IEP meetings are long and not convenient for working parents, but it is important to listen to what they have to say so that you can take that with you when you switch schools.  It is not right however, that they are not listening to what you have to say.  Depending on how bad his aspergers is (it varies from person to person, Im sure you know this) extra help is fine so long as he wants to work and is doing work that is at his level.  Good luck hun.

Answer 3

I would do whatever I could to help my child. If you don't think the public school system is doing all they can, and they probably aren't, look into private schools. Even an after school program may help him, there are several , such as Sylvan, that are good and get results. I used them with one of my children and it made a difference. Sometimes you have to fight for what's best for your child. The school systems are overwhelmed and don't have the resources to really work with these kids.

Answer 4

All you can do in my eyes is keep suggesting in the meetings that your child should be in general ed classes.

Answer 5

I have 4 children. One is on an IEP. She has specific learning disabilities including other  disabilities. I ALSO work with individuals (children and adults) with disabilities. First of all...DO NOT let the school bully you! The overall assistance your son  is provided is decided by the IEP "team"...YOU, teacher, administrator present, SPED teacher and a school psychometrist or psychologist. A child with Asperger's is (you already know) high-end autistic. Your son is VERY capable of learning what the other children do in a mainstream classroom, but he will, more than likely, need additional assisitance. he just learns it in a  different way. It takes a good PATIENT teacher, too. If you are not getting what your son needs, then consult an attorney OR go to the principle, call another IEP meeting (you are allowed as many as needed!), superintendent maybe?...and DEMAND something be done. Remember..there is ALWAYS due process! taking your son from friends he has made may not be a good move for him.

Answer 6

Hey Ruby....    i completely understand wht ayour saying about the schools....    my son has aspergers {8 years old} and it has been a veritable fight almost everyday, just for the teacher to follow the IEP....    if  you wanna chat wiwth another Aspie parent, feel free to im me {go thru m y sn}...   also,  there are things out there,  parent to parent program, parent mentor program....

remember that the IEP is a legal document... they HAVE to follow it.  and if you arent please with whats in it, ITS YOUR LEGAL RIGGHT to fight them on it- even if you have to take it to litigation.

Answer 7

what ever you choice BECARFEUL PRIVATE SCHOOLS DO NOT have to honor iep's nor provide special education

classes

Answer 8

This is normal for most schools all over the USA, being this way with special ed kids. They do this because they know you do not know the special ed laws and don't follow them.

You have to follow the federal laws that mandate special ed, called IDEA. The best site for this is www.wrightslaw.com

Children in special ed are SUPPOSE to be in regular classes WITH the help that the IEP mandates, and NOT in 'special ed classes'

*UNLESS* the child can NOT suceed in the regular ed classroom.

They can not say the child can't suceed in the regular classroom until they put him in there to see!  

So they are doing this backwards and ILLEGAL.

Most all schools are like this with meetings, saying they know 'what is best' (SHEESH ) being intimidating, violating FEDERAL laws without the bat of an eye.

It wouldn't really do any good to go to another school. They will do the same thing if you don't know the laws and follow them.

And private schools do NOT help with special ed services at all *unless* that school gets state and/or federal funds.

It is like pulling teeth to know if a private school gets these funds, even though it is public information.

The reason they don't want you to know is that THEY don't want to provide help with special ed, just like public schools don't.

The way to find out if private schools get these funds is to ask your state dept of education.

Your best bet is to learn the special ed laws and follow them, from the site I listed above.

The laws are VERY complicated. But here's what to LEGALLY do for now -

Write to district special ed director and request 'prior written notice' for their refusal to put your child in regular ed classes WITH special ed services given in these classes.

They have to have LEGAL reasons for this decision and they DON"T because this is ILLEGAL.

(Also in this letter request prior written notice for refusing an aide.)

See, when you write this prior written notice request to them, and they DON"T have LEGAL reasons for their decisions, they will then *magically* change their minds and do what IS LEGAL because they will NOT put their ILLEGAL reasons in writing.

SO, write and request the prior written notice and 'voila', your child should soon be in regular ed classes.

If not, there are even more things you can do.

Another thing to do is file a formal state complaint with your state dept of education for the school not having your child in the 'least restrictive environment'. This is another 'magically' changing thing you can do .

But it is LEGAL and it is what IDEA law mandates that parents MUST do when the school is violating the IDEA law.

When you file state  complaint the state should make them put your child in reg ed classes.

If you need help, email me [e-mail]

Answer 9

I am a special education teacher also, and it bothers me that the school is practically "forcing" you to go along with what they think is best. I agree with the poster who said that we are experts in our field, but the parent knows the child better than anyone, and your opinion and feelings should be valued in those meetings.

I understand you wanting to put your child in private school, but another option would be to find a child advocate or a lawyer to attend the meeting with you. Have someone who knows the law and who has a more "authoritative" voice to help you move your son to general ed classes. There seems to be no reason why they could not amend the IEP and put him in general ed for a trial period (9 weeks?) and then revisit to determine if it is helpful or detrimental to his education.  Good luck.

Answer 10

Interesting.  I'm a college student who is making a film about equal eduaction and one of the subjects of my film is a mother who sued a school district over this very issue...and she won.  The school district had to pay all of her attorney fees, plus the tuition for the private school her daughter now attends.

You may contact me for details.

Answer 11

If LRE "isn't happening," then they're in violation. That's one of the most important parts of special ed law, and the district doesn't get to decide whether or not they're going to follow the law (even though plenty of them seem to, anyway).

The general school environment is taxing for a kid with Asperger's, but there are a lot of ways to handle that -- an aide (even one shared with another kid, which spreads the cost), partial inclusion working up to full-day inclusion as he can handle it, resource room availability as needed when he needs a break. They need to try.

Do you have any outside professional recommendations about his best placement (like a neuropsychological evaluation)? Some schools respect these, some don't, but it can be useful to have such documentation as you build your case.

Also, I know many parents who have found that just going into meetings with an advocate causes the school to change their tune, because they know that you will be advised about the law. If you have a local autism or Asperger's society, they might be able to tell you where to look for advocacy services. Many of these folks work for reasonable rates and they're versed in the law, so school just can't ignore LRE and the welfare of your child.

I totally sympathize with how exhausting it is trying to work this out. But there are ups and downs to private school, too, and my inclination would be to try to get a better public school situation going, so he can get support services as his needs develop. Good luck.

Answer 12

Is this something you want to do on your own? and can afford to do?

People put their children in private schools all the time for a better education as a public school person this does not bother or offend me.

If this is something you are thinking about doing on your own unilaterally and paying for it.. then you don't need anyone's blessing or permission. You just write the school district a letter saying that you are unilaterally placing your child in a private school as of X date. and you no longer require services. You can get some kind of service plan in a private school but it is usually very minimal consultation to the school staff once to twice a year .

If you are asking how can you get the school district to agree to and fund a private or non-public school for your child that of course is a much more difficult question.

You basically have to prove that the school does not have a program that can meet your child's needs and that your child requires services or supports beyond what the district can or will do and that the progress on the child's goals is not adequate without these supports. You will likely need an advocate or attorney to make this happen if the school district is reluctant or unwilling. In this case I recommend starting at www.wrightslaw.com to find out how to effectively advocate for your child.

Answer 13

you should really try home schooling. these days the teachers dont care if your child is behind!

Answer 14

As a Special Education teacher myself, I feel we are experts in the field.  We've seen many students with vary degrees of disabilities and from our past experiences are making our recommondations based on that.  His teachers are doing what they believe is in the best interest of your child.

Having said that, there is no reason why you should feel pressured into agreeing to something in an IEP if you honestly feel that it is not in your son's best interest.  You can demand that they put your son in general ed classes.  If they refuse, you can take it to due process.  Right now, you can request that an amendment take place for the current IEP.  During this meeting, you can state your feelings about his currrent placement.  The best thing to do is to try to get them to compromise - whatever your son's best class is, have him mainstreamed in that.  If after 5 weeks, he's being successful, then have him mainstreamed in another class.  If he's not successful, then the option for him to be pulled back into special ed classes should be available.  

I would try this course of action before I moved him to a private school.  Good luck.