Why is it that public schools dislike IEPs?

Question

My son had been Dx with ADHD when he was 3 yrs old and medicated for it since age 4. We had looked into an IEP for him when he started 2nd grade, but were told he did not qualify for the testing. He did okay in elemetary school because we were fortunate enough to have teachers that worked well with him. He is now in 6th grd middle school and is failing miserably. Upon re-evaulation with his doctor, she told us his grades were not acceptable and he should have been placed on an IEP and/or 504 plan sometime ago. Simply because he has the Dx of ADHD automatically qualifies him for this. After doing some research on how to go about this, I am consistanly hearing that schools will avoid this and will give me the run-around. My daughter's elementary teacher has given me some wonderful advice, but asked that I do not tell anyone that she did as she'd gottin into big trouble for doing so in the past, but why? Aren't schools SUPPOSED give our kids the best edcucation they can provide?

Answer 1

The school doesn't like  the IEP because it holds them accountable for your child's progress. Having an IEP means they have no excuse not to help your child and if your child needs something that will cost money the school has to pay for it, such as a summer tutor or what not.

My son was struggling with academics in kindergarten and his teacher did the same thing. She sort of pulled me aside and told me I was going to have to fight for him. I am not an assertive person but I learned quick how to be one. I ended up having to write a letter to the director of special ed telling him that I was NOT about to allow my son to slip through the cracks and that I wanted a full evaluation. I had a meeting the next day and a set date for his evaluation to start.

In the end he was found to be eligible for special services as having a learning disability. He has low congnitive skills and processing/memory skills are weak. He is now in second grade and has an IEP and it's so funny because before he had the IEP I was giving the run around a LOT and now that he has one, everyone is SO nice to me. They know I can call a meeting anytime I want and request a change if I feel my son needs it.

Don't let the school tell you that he doesn't need it. That is what they tried to tell me, that he would "catch up" and I should wait until he was a little older to evaluate him. Thank God I didn't listen because he really did need the help.

I remember feeling so validated after he was validated and we had the meeting where we discussed his needs and how he was eligible. I felt like saying "I told you so!"

Answer 2

They're supposed to provide great educations suited to every educational need - but they're supposed to do it out of a limited budget.  IEPs are an expense a lot of them want to avoid when they can get away with it.

Answer 3

It isn't that they are suppose to give them the best education it is they are suppose to give an appropriate education.  They differ greatly!  Contact the director of Special Education and request a meeting with him/her.  Ask what the school proceedure is for requesting a meeting for the placement of an IEP and how their system works.  Go from there.

Answer 4

My husband and I has our son evaluated privately for learning disabilities and ADD.  We wanted control of the information. It was $1,000.00 and worth every penny. We are going to be meeting with a few learning centers this week, pick one  and have them work out a plan with us. We will go to the school and ask them to implement the plan.

My son has a really high IQ with learning disabilities and inattentive ADD. He has okay grades, but he is struggling. Normally when kids are doing okay the school doesn't want to spend the money. You have to push and push hard.  Good luck!!!!!!

Answer 5

you should keep asking the school for a IEP. just keep asking.

it took two years for my mom to get me a IEP. im only 14 and i still have a IEP.

Answer 6

According to the law, Public Schools are supposed to give our kids a Free and Appropriate education, not the best.

If the school does not want to test your child you can do a private evaluation and if something is found, submit it to the region.  They have to consider the eval and set an IEP meeting to determine if your child has a disability or not.  ADHD does not automatically qualifiy a student for IEP/504. It has to impede him/her to access education somehow.  I had a private eval done for my son, he has ADHD and a Learning Disability.  This year a found out that he is also Gifted.  He is very bright but needs accomodations like additional time to finish tests.  Do not accept what the school says to you, they do not know everything about Special Education.  And if it is necessary, hire a special education advocate, it is worth the money.

Answer 7

My son has ADHD and we had documentation from his pediatrician.  All I had to do is call the principal and ask for a 504 plan for him.  An IEP isn't always what is needed for Attention Deficit.  If you don't get the answer you want from the principal, then call the head of Special Education for your schools district.  This person will make sure you get the help you need and will do so quickly.  They don't want the negative opinion of them going public!  

A 504 plan is set up similar to an IEP.  The coordinator at the school level that implements 504 plans will meet with you, child's teachers, and sometimes the guidance counselor or testing coordinator for the building and/or system.  A plan will be put into place to help your child in the classroom.

Some of the things on my son's plan....

1.  copies of notes on board (he still had to write them down, but a better copy that anyone could read was given to him)

2.  study guide for tests

3.  extended testing time

4.  seating in classroom (usually up front and near teacher)

5.  prompts to help him with classwork

6.  smaller assignments (really the whole assignment but broken down to smaller parts so he wouldn't get overwhelmed)

There are TONS of modifications that you can work on for your child.  Don't let the school off on what they need to do.  You have rights under IDEA.  Good luck!

Answer 8

Get in touch with your son's school's guidance counselor and special ed. teacher.  They can help you.  When your son was in 2nd grade, his grades were probably good enough that they didn't feel he needed special ed...unfortunately, that happens.  Schools (at least the one I work in) are stretched to the limit.  We have one special ed. teacher for all of 4th and 5th grade.  Funds everywhere have been drastically cut.  It's a shame that it comes down to kids or money and money always wins.  Best of luck to you.

Answer 9

You can't be placed on an IEP just because of ADHD.  First, there has to be evidence that she is not performing well. Her test scores need to indicate a two year delay. Then, the school can request the necessary testing. If the necessary testing indicates that there is a problem, then he can go on an IEP.  He may be failing due to a lack of structure, organization, effort, motivation or poor teaching.  Testing and special ed classes are very costly.  There are rules and regs set up back in the seventies to keep kids from being placed in spec ed classes who do not need it. Public Law 94-142 sets the standards for the school to follow

Answer 10

Children do NOT have to be failing and get bad grades in order to qualify for IEP.  IDEA law states this.

And, IDEA law states that schools can NOT refuse sped services because of lack of funds. This is NOT a LEGAL reason to refuse services.

Parents CAN request testing to be done to see if their child qualifies for special ed services. THis is NOT left up to the schools to do or when to do it.  IDEA law states that when parents ask for this testing, it HAS to be done.

Schools do not like IEP's because it is spending their money even though they get money for each child on an IEP.

You have found out waht I have been telling people for years and they don't believe me, is that US public schools are CORRUPT with special ed.

Special ed is mandated by federal law IDEA. This law states that parents and schools must follow a specific legal process in getting a child qualified for IEP (special ed)

This law also states that schools are suppose to inform parents of all this and their rights, but they DON"T.

If you want the school to help your child thru special ed, you have to learn the laws and the process you have to follow.

I hate to say it, but that doesn't even work because even if you do win the war and get your child help with an IEP, you will be fighting the rest of the time your child is in school to get the school to follow the IEP plan and help your child.

All this happens because there is no enforcement to make sure schools follow IEP plans. If anyone else in the USA violates  FEDERAL laws,  they will get put in prison.

But not people in education!  They are exempt from FEDERAL law IDEA.  Have you EVER heard of ANYONE from a school going to prison for NOT helping a special ed child when they are MANDATED by federal law to do so??

So many parents, like me, are doing homeschool becuase of all this c**p.

WE as TAXPAYERS are paying these school people their paychecks to do this to OUR OWN CHILDREN !!

Answer 11

As a special educator, I can tell you IEP's are not always the answer.  Sometimes they may trap a student in an educational environment which makes things worse.  A child with a high IQ may find himself placed with students who may have retardation or severe learning disabilities in a resource classroom.  When I have several children in a resource class who need one on one help to do the simplest things and one or two intelligent ADHD students, those students will not be getting much of my attention until I can get the other four functioning independently.  It is a rather impossible job - a return to the one-room school house where everyone is learning at a different level or not learning at all.  I believe a child with ADHD does better with accommodations in a 504 plan.  This way, they get to remain in regular classrooms, and participate in the full curriculum.

Request a 504 plan.

Answer 12

Hello,

Trust your instincts.  You may be getting the run around from school partly because your son has yet to be evaluated and deemed disabled by the school's team.  If and once your son is evaluated by the school's team and you meet criteria, then the school may deal with you very differently.  The bottom line is that children identified as disabled under the IDEA 2004 law are protected (to a certain extent) from poor school services.  The law may not protect your son from bias but if you learn to speak the lingo of Special Education, you will be a powerful advocate for your son.  Schools will be required to listen to you and proceed with an eligibility process.  

The criteria to meet eligibility for ADHD is not as straight forward as other disabilities.  The main disability category under IDEA that ADHD falls under is OHI (Other Health Impairment).  However, many times children with ADHD also have a LD (Learning Disability).  You have a good starting point with your outside medical evaluation.  However, the school district probably has their own psychiatrist.  You formally request an evaluation for your son, the school can not ignore it.  

I don't know the criteria for acceptance off the top of my head for OHI.  However, observations, off-task frequency data, and standardized cognitive assessments need to be conducted by your school when evaluating disabilities.  So, learn about IDEA and process, so you can hold the school accountable.  Lastly, bring in an advocate from CHAAD or your doctor to get further advice.  The evaluation will focus on what characteristics of ADHD are negatively affecting his learning, social, (etc.) success.  Other considerations might be is the 'disabling' behavior or action on-going, chronic, and what is the level of disability.  

Good luck and be sure to look up CHAAD website for further support.  

Sarah

Answer 13

Special Education is expensive, and not all students (even with diagnoses) need it.

Schools are supposed to give kids the best education they can provide WITH THE RESOURCES THEY HAVE. If the taxpayers don't want to pay for education, then the schools can't give your child the best education possible.