Mys son needs a new IEP what is the procedure for obtaining one?

Question

My son needs a new IEP for K. He has an old one from a special ed preschool, that was in MD, I now live in NC and I am unsure of the procedure required to generate a new one from an old one.

Answer 1

According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), "IEPs must be reviewed and revised at least annually, and each child must be seen for reevaluation at least once every 3 years."  Since your child's IEP was made a year ago, it should be up for review this year.  Aside from IDEA, transferring to another state should also have prompted a new IEP meeting (differing curriculum, laws, etc).  You have the right to request mediation (1st step) of your child's IEP at any time if you are not in agreement with it, and have the right to due process (after other methods have been exhausted).  Usually you must submit your disagreement in writing to the school, and they have a set time to respond (or risk non-compliance).

You should contact your son's school to request this information (the school psychologist would be a good place to start), and determine how/when your request should be filed.  Hope this helps.

Answer 2

You need to register him in the new school district and give them a copy of the old IEP. Make sure they give you the forms to request an evaluation and Committee meeting when you register him. Don't fall for the "Let's see how he does in the new school for a couple of months" routine. If you think he needs a self contained class tell them you want that placement now.

Answer 3

First it's a new district, forget everything that worked with the old district and do everything "by the book" cross your Ts and dot your Is at least until you've learned their system.

Anytime a child is transitioning between schools they should have an IEP Transition meeting. (Ideally reps from the previous team would be there to advise the new Team.) Remember parents are members of the team. To expedite your transition meeting: when you register the child, provide the new "district" with a copy of the current IEP, a release so they can request  copies of evals, records and IEP from the former school, and a written request for a Team transition meeting ASAP.  They do not need to wait for the records because you have provided a copy of the current IEP.

At the time you register him ask the receptionist for the appropriate sp ed contact information. "Who is the sp ed coordinator for my child's age, grade, needs? How can I contact them by phone, fax, e-mail, mail?"

Follow-up with a call to this contact person within 48hrs. If they say they need time to coordinate schedules and arrange the meeting, let them know you'll call back to follow-up WITHIN A WEEK.

Answer 4

You will need to contact the school your child will be attending.  Tell them that he has an IEP from a school in MD.  They will have you sign a release that allows them to send for your sons records (you can speed up the process- by giving them a copy of the current IEP and the most recent Eval. Report- if you have your own copy).  You can also tell the former school where your new one is and request that they send your sons' records....  The new school will then need to set up an IEP meeting where they will most likely accept the old IEP and/or write a new one which will reflect his services in Kindergarten.  My advice would be to be proactive to getting this meeting set up- he cant receive services until they have accepted his old IEP and gotten your written permission!  I am a special ed teacher in MN, and most school districts proceed like this.  Good luck!!

Answer 5

The first IEP stands until the new school district holds an IEP team meeting.  Request an IEP team meeting as soon as you can, in writing.

A great website that has a terrific parent to parent board is www.schwablearning.org.  On it you can get suggestions from many, many parents who have dealt with this same situation.

Another great Internet resource is www.wrightslaw.com.  On it you'll find a lot of great information regarding your son's legal rights as a child with an IEP.

Good luck!

Answer 6

As soon as you registered your son, the school should have been informed (and if possible) provided with a copy of the old IEP.  They are legally madated to follow the old IEP, even with it being from another state, until they have completed testing and assesments, including placement issues, and a new IEP is written and accepted.  Of course, they will not place him in a preschool program, but since he was in a specialized program, they would most likely place him into as similar a placement within the public schools as possible while evaluations go on.  If the school has not been told of the old IEP, do so immediately and request they begin the process of getting a new one done up.

Answer 7

You need to either give them a copy of his old one, or give them permission to access his records from his old preschool and then they should send it.  If you don't hear of anything within a few weeks, I would request that some sort of "conference" be held so you can formulate a new IEP with your son's new goals and objectives for kindergarten.

Answer 8

The school that your son is in should have to offer one so check with the school administration to see if they provide one if not they might have to (depending on state laws) provide one for your son. In Illinois they do. Let me know if this was of any help.