IEp scheduled in a month

[ALLISA]

Hey all...Erin's IEP is for June 5.....just got notce today.....


couple questions......

First,,,,,I don't recognie HALF of her "team" listed on the attendance list.....

counselor...never met.....

ST & OT...swithces all the time... I never met these two.....

Evaluation Team Leader....don't know the name....

Am I just really out of it that I don't EVEN KNOW these people ??

Also....No SPED director.....we have a new one this year......I met her once "by accident"....old SPED director came to ONE IEP meeting in past...only 'cause I inquired about why she NEVER comes....and now new director not on list either....do you all meet all the time with your sped director ?

Also.....I have some REAL concerns that Erin would be better off in private school setting.....how do I bring that option up ?

I have appt tomorrow to touch base with her teacher and talk about some short term issues......should I "feel" her out regarding outsourcing Erin ?

Al;so......last few times I have been to stop in class.....her MAIn teacher NEVER there.....only the aides......I LOVE her teacher and don;t want to put her on the defense.....and maybe she is in the building....but strange that 8 out of last 10 drop ins.....she's NOT there......hhhmmm........how do I NICELY inquire about that ??

Thanks for any and all thoughts......

[Emilysmom]

Allisa,
I hope you get some really GOOD answers to your questions! My first thought would be for you to come up with a list of all the NEEDS that Erin has that can only be met in a private school. Then, if you spend the time at the IEP meeting bringing home the idea that these are things that Erin truly needs, when it comes time to talk about placement........it should be easier for the team to see that a private school would be the best place for those needs to be met.

Susan

[CC]

"I have some REAL concerns that Erin would be better off in private school setting.....how do I bring that option up ? "

K, first off girl don't use the phrase "better off" with your district. Stick to "most appropriate placement" Just my personal suggestion

We had Chris in our public school since preschool and it was going pretty good then around end of first and second it was just not working for him, so what I did was go investigate other programs, found one we loved and then went back to my district and called an IEP. Told them look I am always in here trying to get you guys to learn how to really include and requesting training and such for the staff, just seem like it was constant battles for us but mostly for Chris and he was losing out as they tried to get their acts together... I told them I have found a program that is most appropriate for Chris and thankfully ones at that school already had training and knew what needed to be done to help Chris learn and grow. Bla Bla Bla and BINGO they said we can't argue with you on this, we will send him and the district pays for it all. Now mind you this was coming from a district that is trying so hard to keep all in district weather its appropriate or not Makes no sense to me but what they are trying to do. Anywho I say do the leg work, compare and tell them why a private school/program would be more appropriate for Erin vs what they are giving her now.

Districts don't by law have to provide the "BEST" but they do have to provide the most appropriate. So you have to let them know why whatever you want to switch to is, KWIM??

Hope that made sense

CC ~

[momofrussell]

Every district I have been in has had the key people at the IEP but not all have been the same. In our last district we had a "rep" that is assigned to each building that would be there. They are to represent the Special School District and be there for your child. This new district has someone for the whole district that was there. Also, even if Erin is in a self contained class alllll day with no integration, a gen ed teacher to her grade should be present by law also. Just so the key components are there, you are good to go. Sounds like the list is what it should be

As far as private school... the burden of proof is on you and the district to prove Erin is not getting appropriate placement (LRE and FAPE) in her current setting. So, if she is not meeting her goals ect, you can state your case that way. If you really feel another setting is appropriate placement, then state it in writing and why. Then go from there.

And if the teacher hasn't been in class 8/10 times, my way of bringing stuff like that up is to kinda "joke" about it.... "oh, Miss so and so, I keep missing you everytime I come into the building... we are like two ships that pass through the night... I've come in a dozen times or so and you aren't there...when is a good time to catch you".... something like that would work. Smile and make it light.. but you will get your point across.

Good luck!!!!

A./

[Monique]

Uh.. not sure if the law is different in each state but we HAVE to have the Dir or Asst Dir of Special Ed present as they are pretty much the deciding factor as to what services your kid gets since they are the ones who pay for it. So I would definately make sure they are there! i have a close relationship with mine (not that she enjoys it LOL)!

The fact that you dont recognize most of the people serviceing your child would be a definate concern I would bring up as the constant change would be a warning sign that either school has a retention problem (and i would want to know why) or what the issue is but cannot be good for your child as the constant change could be regressive for them!

The private school thing may or may not be an issue depending on if the district wants to pay for it or not. But i would say your concern over the constant teacher changes would be a good arguement on your part for more stability (mainly because they dont seem to have a handle on the staffing situation). Get a good advocate in you area to help you with some of these questions! they can even come with you to the IEP if you can give them enough notice and they have enough advocates to do that!

Good luck and keep us posted.

M