Where/How to file a formal complaint against a school?

Question

My sister's son has a learning disability and the school is letting him fall thru the cracks. He is in 2nd grade and can't read or spell yet. He goes to special ed, but they aren't teaching him anything! When she corresponds with the teachers about it they talk around her questions. She is having a meeting today with teachers and principal this morning. Her son does not have any behavioral problems, just can't seem to learn. What are the steps she should take to get the help she needs for him? She lives in Arkansas.

Thanks

Answer 1

Call the Department of Education now!  They will look into the allegations.  The school will most likley get on the ball.  They hate the DOE to be involved

Answer 2

If, after the meeting your nephews needs are not being met, call the board of education and schedule an appointment with the superintendant.  My daughter has an IEP and we had the same problem.  I didn't have to go that far because I threw such a fit.  Be aware that the school is receiving a lot of extra money for his disability.  They must be able to prove that he is getting the extra help he needs.  They also should have goals for him to have mastered within a designated time frame.

Answer 3

Go to the board of education's special education coordinator.  See what kind of RESEARCH BASED programs the special programs is using in your child's school (such as SRA).  Ask what your child's teacher's credentials are because LOTS of special education teachers are only teaching on temporary certificates (they don't really have special education degrees) because of the extreme NEED for sp. ed. teachers and the lack thereof.  If the teacher doesn't have a degree, I'd find out why.

Answer 4

It is different for each state, but they should provide at your request a copy of your parental rights. In this document is the address and agency at the state level where you would file a complaint.

www.wrightslaw.com also has lots of good information about complaint processes, due process, mediation etc.

Answer 5

Every state is different on this - however, the IDEA is a federal program - and if he has an IEP - this falls under IDEA, and IDEA is very specific on the rules.  It is law - and schools must follow it, if they receive the funding for this child.  Hence, IF this child has an IEP (Individualized Educational Program), then the IEP team is required to meet and determine why the plan is not working... why the determined goals and objectives for this child to meet success academically, are not being met.

If the child does NOT have an IEP, then the school was required to test for academic discrepancies within a specific time period, which would determine whether or not there is a specific learning disability, etc. --- which determines what kind of support the child is entitled to.  However - the trigger to kick this off would have been for your sister to request - in writing - for the school to test her son for academic achievement.  These tests basically determine where the child should be (based on his own, unique capabilities) and compares that with how he is actually performing in an academic setting.  If the discrepancy is wide enough --- something needs adjusting before they get too far behind.

Unfortunately - schools too often, will not proactively test.  They will wait too long.  Neither will they advise parents that they are not required to test, until the request is made by the parent - in writing.  Sad, but it's the nature of the beast.

Answer 6

I would definitely write a letter or phone the board of education or head of the special needs programs of your city/state. Let them know exactly what the situation is, they will be very helpful, for next year your sister may want to try and find a different school for him to go to with different teachers. Or she can try a school that only deals with special needs children and nothing else, they tend to be a little more informative on the different needs of different cases. I am just a special needs bus driver and have been doing so for the past 4 years. We have had many parents who had dealt with problems similar to yours, and being one that interacts with the children, we have found it has been alot to do with the actual teachers and not so much the child themselves.

Answer 7

your having trouble with homework theres bullys stuff like that