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Post by Chester on Mar 30, 2006 15:10:13 GMT -5
First of all this isn't for JT. This is for my 10 year old. We just moved to a new state. My son has a hearing loss in one ear. We just had his first ARC (IEP) meeting today. The Hearing Impaired teacher is bound and determined to make it so he doesn't qualify. I can't even tell you how many times she said she is already overloaded.
To be very honest, IDEA and the IEP laws overwhelm me. Does anyone have a starting off place for me to start researching that is pretty friendly?
Thanks in advance!
Dawn
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Post by momofrussell on Mar 30, 2006 15:35:50 GMT -5
www.wrightslaw.com and... since I always do my book plug... order from their site or go to a bookstore and buy "From Emotions To Advocacy" by Pam and Pete Wright if you don't have it....it really IS a must have!!!!!!!! Also... you are in KY now? Here is KY's dept of Ed spec ed section online.. you can cruise around here too. www.education.ky.gov/KDE/Instructional+Resources/Student+and+Family+Support/Exceptional+Children/default.htmI will tell you RIGHT now... IF you already have an IEP for your 10 yr old and you move... either to the next county or state... they HAVE to follow the IEP until another IEP meeting is done. So.. they can't NOT address your son's needs. And... her saying she is "overloaded" isn't a legal thing to say.. so... just ignore that! Also..if you are still overwhelmed... I can give you my phone number or you can give me yours and we can talk.. I can try to make it simple  Just send me a PM if you need anything! The laws read easier then most think. There are some grey areas...like with any laws.. but they are also pretty cut and dry when it comes to IEP's and needs. They can cry money woes and overload all they want... the IDEA laws don't really care! LOL A.
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Post by Debi on Mar 30, 2006 18:30:06 GMT -5
lol A is correct...money woes and overwork do NOT qualify as excuses for lack of evualation and services! Another website to try is www.reedmartin.com but if you are feeling overwhelmed or in need of personal contact you can also pm me. Another resouce closer to home is to search your school system or local education agency for a parent advocate. I had one through our ed. agency (SO not a member of the school district thank goodness!) who went to meetings to help support me and was a helpful mediator between me, Gabe and the school district. Another place to try is a local parent group of any disability cause I promise you there is a parent out there who's been there, done that.. and they are very good supports. In addition, altho IDEA is a BIG law with many many pages there are several core tenets: Every child is entitled to a free appropriate public education (The education and related services that would most enable the child to learn) Every chiild is entitled to an evulation which the TEAM (not just the Hearing Impaired teacher) must then act upon and for me, the most important is: the services follow the child ; the child does NOT follow the service. There isn't a hearing impaired teacher in the school system who is not overloaded.. find a way to make this work! |
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Post by Chester on Mar 30, 2006 20:27:18 GMT -5
Thanks guys. I emailed the HI teacher that we had in WI and she said that what the HI teacher in KY said is very outdated. She's going to track down some info too. I personally thought the HI teacher made herself look like a fool, and nobody else jumped on her bandwagon. I did have a shortened IDEA descripition of HI with me, but she of course was too busy and forgot her "real" (her words) version of the law.
I will order the book and I do believe I'll look for a parent advocate. I have two kids with IEP's and being new to the state it can't hurt.
Dawn
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Post by michellew on Apr 2, 2006 21:18:55 GMT -5
I just wanted to tag on to Debi's post about IDEA basics. Until recently courts were finding that "appropriate" in FAPE meant "receiving SOME educational benefit." No Child Left Behind calls for MAXIMUM educational benefit, and may be cited when requesting services, placement, etc. Second - make requests in writing, with proof of delivery - special ed attorneys say "if it's not in writing, it doesn't exist." And I want to emphasize what Debi said about the services following the child - this means that once you establish an educational need, the school district MUST have a plan to meet that need. Hold them accountable for this - in writing.
Good luck!
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Post by CC on Apr 2, 2006 21:35:48 GMT -5
"make requests in writing, with proof of delivery - special ed attorneys say "if it's not in writing, it doesn't exist." I second that BIG TIME  I have found when things seem to go well we or at least I tend to get a bit lacks (sp?) on things BUT when the trouble begins with the districts its a PLUS to have all the back up in writing. I would really love to see your Hearing Impaired teacher put into writing that she is already overloaded  and even if she is, whats her point, she should be telling the district that NOT you, cause they obviously need more help and thats NOT your problem. BEST of LUCK, you can beat them at their silly game CC ~ |
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Just send me a PM if you need anything! The laws read easier then most think. There are some grey areas...like with any laws.. but they are also pretty cut and dry when it comes to IEP's and needs. 
and even if she is, whats her point, she should be telling the district that NOT you, cause they obviously need more help and thats NOT your problem.