I think the IEPs "look" different, mine does not have a section like that, only "A copy of this IEP was given to parents"....ours is written in during the meeting, afterwards, copies are given to all. It's a computer program through CASE (Cooperative Association for Special Education) called "OneSystem for CASE", again, there's no place to sign or agree or anything...like Tammy said, we have to send any issues in writing. They are required by law to respond promptly.
Here are links I used...
US Dept of Education (although I'd suggest going to the state board of education web sites...I found while the laws are very similar, the more specific I was to saying "Illinois Law states....." the better off I was.
http://www.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/edpicks.jhtml?src=ln
IDEA policy/laws:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/idea2004.html
Here's an example, I'm in Illinois:
www.isbe.net
for our state rules and regs: (I printed out indiv. sections that related specifically to our needs....I printed only those parts having to do with services that I knew they weren't wanting to give to my son...yet he does have rights!
http://www.isbe.net/rules/archive/pdfs/226ark.pdf
Wrightslaw...can't say enough about this one: :)
www.wrightslaw.com
Good site for IEP suggestions:
www.iep4u.com
Good luck to all...truly!
Cyndie....GET ON THEM! YOU are part of that "team" we unfortunately have to remind them over and over of that fact...but it IS a fact! Good luck!!!!! don't let them get away with that! It took a lot of work, I think I put in about 80 hours of prep before our May Disaster meeting, and another 20 or so for this most recent one. But I have to believe, it can be done, for all these kids that get scr*wed around.
And again....(I'm sorry, I know I'm repeating myself) I have a book called "Nolo's IEP Guide: Learning Disabilities" It's the GREATEST! Easy to read, understand, lots of references, a huge help with us the past year. Our school was a nightmare, even our ST told us last year that we should move, yet here we are and I'm actually excited for school to start...
"The complete IEP Guide, How to Advocate for Your Special Ed Child"
http://www.nolo.com/product.cfm/ObjectID/53269B09-7112-4E95- A90F8979BEA1F73A/118/
Nolo's IEP Guide: Learning Disabilities
http://www.nolo.com/product.cfm/ObjectID/6383438D-6F9F-4A83- 979310DC11EA847A/118/
On an IEP that I did not sign because of the effect date, wouldn't go into effect until the next year , it says:
"received your implied consent to the proposed IEP by waiting fourteen (14) calendar days from your receipt of the proposed IEP mailed/delivered (circle one) to you on _________ without any written objection by you to that proposed IEP."
Tammy
On an IEP that I did not sign
because of the effect date, wouldn't go into effect until the next year , it
says:
"received your implied consent to the proposed
IEP by waiting fourteen (14) calendar days from your receipt of the
proposed IEP mailed/delivered (circle one) to you on _________ without
any written objection by you to that proposed IEP."
Tammy
[/QUOTE]I am mad with you. I vented about my school system around here last week. Sunday I emailed the super attendant and made my complaints known. I ended the letter by saying that I was tired of being the nice parent becasue that isn't working for my daughter. I also said if I didn't hear back from them I would continue to write to the school officials until I did hear a response.
At least by doing that I was able to express my concerns and fustrations. I went to the website for the county schools and found all the numbers and emails I needed.
So if the school isn't going to work with you then going over their heads may start some things rolling. What things? I don't know...I hope good things but I still have to wait and see how my letter went over. I still haven't heard back.
i am sorry to hear all these problems that you all are having with your school system. I know that i live in a small town and we are in the process of getting my son in preschool. he will be three friday. my school system is trying very hard to make sure that my son is going to get what he needs when he starts school this coming monday. we are having an iep tomorrow morning about what needs to be done. he does receive speech therapy at home and I kow that he will have more speech at school and we plan on other things to when we discuss it. I think in the whole school system there is about 1000 kids and I would have never thought that it would be this good in helping to make sure my child gets what he needs.
Send the letter off asap. I think they could have the one they sent you, the IEP, go into effect in 10 or 14 days. And say you disagree, that no one from the school even attempted to call you and you are requesting another IEP meeting and you want this IEP meeting held within 10 days. Oh yeah send it certified.
Tammy
An IEP is meaningless unless you sign it. Also, they cannot conduct anI agree! do not sign it, and request another one in writing. That pisses me off hearing your dealing w/ this, I'm really sorry about it...I'm sometimes in shock learning about some of these school systems and how they work! I wish I could be more helpful...come back and let us know, we are here for you hon!
giant hugs!
You too (((Jean)))! UNBELIEVABLE grrrr!
Ali
We are not required to sign IEP's....at any time. The only thing we sign is that we were in attendance. If we disagree, we have to notify them in writing. If nothing is sent, they go ahead with the new one, if there is something in writing stating we disagree, then the previous IEP is used.
They are required to contact you, if they say they tried by phone, they should have also sent a letter, Cyndie...you definitely are entitled to another IEP, send off that letter! (certified?...excellent idea Tammy!)
Also, I'd personally also ask for a complete copy of your child's school file, let's just see how many letters they sent to you that you supposedly "ignored"! If they want to charge you, you are entitled to review them for free.
UGH!!!...I'm so sorry this happened to you Cyndie...I hope things get worked out quickly...Good luck to you!
~Lesley
I wish that I had time to post the new IDEA regs regarding this topic. I'm about to pass out onthe computer. If someone has time please post a link or appropriate section for us all to see. This whole thing is so discouraging andI am a ESE teacher. I'm not real proud of that right now. My son's IEP seems to be ignored. I plan to chage that very soon. I am so tired.
Janet
[QUOTE=horanimals]We are not required to sign
IEP's....at any time. The only thing we sign is that we were in
attendance. If we disagree, we have to notify them in writing. If nothing
is sent, they go ahead with the new one, if there is something in writing
stating we disagree, then the previous IEP is used.They are required to
contact you, if they say they tried by phone, they should have also sent a
letter, Cyndie...you definitely are entitled to another IEP, send off that
letter! (certified?...excellent idea Tammy!)
Also, I'd personally also ask for a complete copy of your child's school
file, let's just see how many letters they sent to you that you supposedly
"ignored"! If they want to charge you, you are entitled to review them for
free. UGH!!!...I'm so sorry this happened to you Cyndie...I hope things get
worked out quickly...Good luck to you!~Lesley
[QUOTE=IBGECKO]An IEP is meaningless unless you
sign it. Also, they cannot conduct an IEP without you unless you checked
the box on the original IEP notice that says "I plan to attend, but if I am
not there, start the IEP without me". As another poster stated, send them
a letter requesting a new IEP, and make it very clear that you will not be
signing this one.[/QUOTE]
That is very misleading!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOu do not have
to sign an IEP for the school district to go ahead with it. I repeat, you do
not have to sign the IEP for the school district to go ahead with it. If you
do not sign it within 14 days, they will still go ahead with that IEP. You
have to object to that IEP in writing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it will say someone in
the file that the parent didn't sign the IEP but the district went ahead with
the IEP.
Tammy
[/QUOTE]O.k. I think that they need to give WRITTEN
notification about an IEP and give ample warning. However, I don't think
that all IEP's need to be signed. My daughter was having her annual IEP
with the school district and we didn't sign because we weren't asked to-
there was no place to sign it.. I asked the SSC (special ? coordinator) and
she said that only the first one (entry level) needed to be signed.... Never
heard that one before. The new IDEA went into effect July 1 and there are
some significant changes, and I think that changes to the IEP can be made
without the parents there...not all members of the team need to be
present; however, you as the parent have the right to disagree...just be
sure and do it in writing. Supposedly the new IDEA is supposed to help,
but when I read through it..seems like it will favor the school
district...again. Gee when did I get to be so cynical.
Good luck Cyndie! We are behind you all the way!!
Renee
[/QUOTE]O.k. I think that they need to give WRITTEN notification about an IEP and give ample warning. However, I don't think that all IEP's need to be signed. My daughter was having her annual IEP with the school district and we didn't sign because we weren't asked to-there was no place to sign it.. I asked the SSC (special ? coordinator) and she said that only the first one (entry level) needed to be signed.... Never heard that one before. The new IDEA went into effect July 1 and there are some significant changes, and I think that changes to the IEP can be made without the parents there...not all members of the team need to be present; however, you as the parent have the right to disagree...just be sure and do it in writing. Supposedly the new IDEA is supposed to help, but when I read through it..seems like it will favor the school district...again. Gee when did I get to be so cynical.
Good luck Cyndie! We are behind you all the way!!
Renee
OK well I was under the impression that they arent allowed to do the IEP or IFSP Unless the parents are present and you have to approve the IEP for it to be effective! On My daughters IEP it states we have the right to change anything and we also have the right to call a meeting if we feel our childs IEP isnt right for her! This is in Ohio! I been reading about all the problems everyone is having with the schools and i considers us lucky! Our school is very supportive of our feeling and are very helpful! Our daughter is going to a school for children with MRDD! She is in a call of 8 autisic children ranging on the spectrum from ages 3-5 and there is a tteacher and 2 assistance! We chose this over public schools! WE went to visit both schools and seen that RobertBycroft was our better choice! She starts tomorrow and we are excited and so is she! I hope all of you get the help you deserve! Have you tried contacting your county MRDD council? I know in ohio i get letters from them for school and letting me know if there is ever a problem at the school to call them! Just a sugesstion Good luck to all of you! I hope you get everything taken care of!
[QUOTE=IBGECKO]An IEP is meaningless unless you sign it. Also, they cannot conduct an
IEP without you unless you checked the box on the original IEP notice that
says "I plan to attend, but if I am not there, start the IEP without me".
As another poster stated, send them a letter requesting a new IEP, and
make it very clear that you will not be signing this one.[/QUOTE]
That is very misleading!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOu do not have to sign an IEP for the school district to go ahead with it. I repeat, you do not have to sign the IEP for the school district to go ahead with it. If you do not sign it within 14 days, they will still go ahead with that IEP. You have to object to that IEP in writing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it will say someone in the file that the parent didn't sign the IEP but the district went ahead with the IEP.
Tammy
WHAT THE HECK DOES "MEETS CRITERIA FOR DISABILITY OF OTHER HEALTH IMPAIRED"? I am so dam mad at the school district.I COULD SCREAM!!!!!!!! OK,DIDNT GET TO MY MAILBOX TILL TODAY, so in it was the IEP N EVAL.THEY SUPP.DID.ON MY SON, i was under impression wasnt finished yet..so now there changing it all around THEY HAD MY CELL NUM. BUT NEVER CALLED IT.SAYS 'WE TRIED YOUR PHONE MANY TIMES BUT NO ANSWER OR BUSY SIGNALS..BULLCRAP...SO THEY DID THE IEP W/OUT ME..N NEVER MENTIONED AUTISM SO IM CALLIN HIS DRS.TOMM,N THEM I.U. IF I DONT GET ANSWERS BY WED. THERE PLACING HIM IN REGULAR PRESCHOOL..OMG..VERY P.O'D...I am having like problems here. But the answer is simple, just send them a letter telling them that you are not in agreement with the IEP and are requesting another ARC meeting regarding his placment and IEP. I am also requesting a complete evaluation (psychological, occupational, speech and communication, physical, transportation, educational supports. If you have not contacted your states protection and advocacy unit, you may want to do so. Here we have 10 days to dispute the findings of the ARC. P & A has the forms to use.
My son is also to be in a regular classroom, with no additional supports and 'group' ST and OT. THis from a child who has such behaviors that we have had to stop out patient therapy.
Hang in there.
You have the right to request another IEP meeting, and another evaluation. It isn't set in stone. It stinks, but you have to be a 'female dog' about this. This is the one thing I hate doing is being forced to be an advocate for the rights of my child. I am typically a shy, quiet go w/ the flow person. How we change so much when we become parents of ASD kids.
Good luck. Please let us know what happens. I have requested an IEP meeting and am waiting for a response.
Hi
From what I have "learned" through an IEP is that you best LOOK at what they write down! I demanded another IEP for AJ's Speech. However, since they did not have "enough" Speech Therapists (at that time) they said we could go outside to get help. Being this is ALL new to me, I just figgered that what was said in the IEP was on that piece of paper. Turns out there wasn't hardly "anything" that was said during that meeting that stated any of it! Ugh! That was the ending of last year. The person that "was" supposed to come visit us once a week, was a no show. Here, in the IEP, they put (upon request) Grrrrrrr!!! Be SURE to READ anything the school gives you upon signing it! It is sad that they jump through "loop holes" to deny our children from these therapies they sooo much NEED! I am very happy that there is a "law" stating "...No Child Left Behind! On that note, Fight, FIGHT with ALL your MIGHT!!!
thanks to ALL U ARE THE BEST...STAY TUNED RESULTS FROM IEP IN NEW POST ON THIS BOARD.WELL TOMMOROWS THE iep mtg. i missed and asked them to have a informal mtg. so tomm. at 3p.m. its happening.Gotta luv how they put him back at the special school he grad. from in june last MONDAY was first day of school.The day after LABOR DAY there having this mtg. I think I dont have a chance.there such A-bleeeeeeeeeeeeeep...there willing to place him in a preschool where they dont even have him on the list its reg.kids.I called the placement school.SENSORY issues are NOT academic issues,when it comes to preschool age i was told.WHATEVER.!!!!SO now how can I explain to him hes going to a NEW school,which he doesnt even wanna hear the WORD!! only 3 half days..his routine is gonna be interupted.I guess we might have to try it and maybe itll b shoved back in there face,after he beats a kid up,or bites a teacher,my kid will be the one on the news IN HANDCUFFS and i can sue the DISTRICT,for not listening to his dr.s HE CAN ONLY FUNCTION IN A CLASS w/no more then 10kids and at least 3 teacher/assts. on hand.Im telling you all im in for TROUBLE..AGAIN..ANY ADVICE BEFORE 3P.M. TUES. AFTERNOON WILL HELP..THANKS ALL.CYNDIECyndie, Sensory issues that interfere with your child's ability to participate in his free and appropriate education ARE to be considered. I heard that same old thing too, but anything that prevents your son from being able to receive his FAPE, is a concern and should be addressed by the ARC.
Adaptations - Modifications or alterations of the curriculum, the support systems, the environments, or the teaching strategies to match individual needs. The adaptations ensure that the student can participate actively and as independently as possible.
Special education is defined as instruction that is specially designed, at no cost to you as parents, to meet your child's unique needs. Specially designed instruction means adapting the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction:
Special education can include instruction conducted in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals and institutions, and in other settings. It can include instruction in physical education as well. Speech-language pathology services or any other related service can be considered special education rather than a related service under State standards if the instruction is specially designed, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. Travel training and vocational education also can be considered special education if these standards are met. (Section 300.26)
I agree with Jean...they told me that too, as Riley only had DSI dx...However, if you read the law - it most certainly does have an impact on education: (however if you have an Autism/PDD dx, doesn't that include sensory issues that need to be addresed by them??)
Sec 300.7 (9) Other health impairment means having limited strength, vitality or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in a limited alertness with respect to the educational environment …
As for the worry of disrupted routine, I'd certainly mention ALL your concerns to them, even if they don't prepared for it, when it happens, you at least have some backup that you warned them about it, they refused to deal with it, and maybe next time they'll take the time to listen to you!!! Let it be on them that they're negatively impacting his education.
Good luck Cyndie...sending powerful thoughts your way!
~Lesley