Special education field trip?

Question

If a special education child (she has Down Syndrome) has the opportunity to go on a field trip with a regular ed class that she attends (a music class), is the school obligated to have someone available to go with her? (it is an all school day trip)...or can the school say that she can only go if one of the parents can due to lack of school staff?

Answer 1

Does the child have an IEP or a statement and does she get extra help in lessons? If it is written into the IEP or statement that she gets so many hours a week with a support assistant then going on a field trip should be no different. Even though she will not be in school the school still does have a responsibility of care to her. If the school are short of staff it is still up to them to find some one who can be responsible for this child. They cannot say she cannot go unless a parent accompanies her.

Answer 2

they cannot keep her from going if no staff is available to go there is no reason why she cannot shadow with the regular ed teacher but like most regular ed teachers (sorry for saying but its true) they have a tendency to be ignorant on how to deal with students who are in special education classes. this is another issue that has to be dealt with. I feel its about time that special education students are recognized as part of the school instead of just second class citizens of the school who are excluded from everything.

Answer 3

Well since she is in special education then the school should allow her Special Education teacher go with her and be with her.

Answer 4

If it is on her IEP - she goes.

Answer 5

She must have access to anything in the curriculum that other students have access to.  The school is required to provide an assistant if it is written into her IEP (which it should be if it is something that she needs).

Answer 6

I don't know if they are actually required to, but most schools will plan in advance and have someone to help her. I know the schools my mom & aunt work at always have extra people go with special ed children because it makes the school look better to be able to include every kid on the field trips.

Answer 7

School needs to provide someone to go with her. THey cannot prevent her from FAPE even during field trips by stating that they don't have the staff. Very illegal. If your school is saying this, call the special ed director immediately. It's ridiculous to say this needs to be in the IEP, if she is integrated at all it is understood.

Answer 8

Our elementary school has a girl who has muscular dystrophy. The class was going on an overnight field trip, so they hired a parapro to accompany her on the trip. Yes I believe it is up to the school to find staff to go with them.

Answer 9

Usually the school has an extra teacher go to be by her side if she is special needs child and that way if she needs something or if something goes wrong