Submitted by Benjamin Johnson (not verified) on March 14, 2008 - 10:52.
I am an administrator and I don't agree with what you say is happening. No, they are not getting any extra money. They just want to minimize the "work" they have to do. Certainly, the administrators and teacher would be doing you and your son a disservice if they did not encourage the most rigorous placement possible. So challenging your son is a good thing. However, the thing that is worrisome to me is that there should have been an immediate change or adjustment before the very first "f". Your son's special education teacher should have intervened at the first unacceptable progress report. Did that happen? In the IEP I am fairly certain that it doesn't say that your son was to be placed in the regular classroom, with no aide or assistance from the Special Ed. teacher. Also, given the grade, it is pretty clear that the help the IEP describes, was not given during the year. In essence, the school did not follow the IEP and is out of compliance.
The special education law is clear on what rights a parent has. I need to point out that the law is there to protect you and your son, but be prepared because when you begin to apply your rights, given what you have already stated, you will meet with resistance. If you don't feel that you can hold your ground, by all means request an advocate, or at the very least another person who you think can help you stand your ground. Also, please understand that you want to work with the school as partners rather than adversaries, but if they force you, the law is on your side.
The other advice I would give you is to read the documents that they give you carefully. Rather than just calling the school, write them a letter. It may even be time to write a letter to the district Special Education Department. In that letter be detailed and include names and dates of when you met and who was there. State that you felt they were pushing you and your son into something that was not right. Indicate what you did when you got the progress reports and what the school said they would do and if they did it. If they do not respond after 10 days, then send a letter to the State Special Education office.
The bottom line is that the schools have to listen to you, by law. If you do not like what is happening in the IEP, you can appeal it, even if you signed it. Good luck.
Special Ed Railroad
Submitted by Benjamin Johnson (not verified) on March 14, 2008 - 10:52.
I am an administrator and I don't agree with what you say is happening. No, they are not getting any extra money. They just want to minimize the "work" they have to do. Certainly, the administrators and teacher would be doing you and your son a disservice if they did not encourage the most rigorous placement possible. So challenging your son is a good thing. However, the thing that is worrisome to me is that there should have been an immediate change or adjustment before the very first "f". Your son's special education teacher should have intervened at the first unacceptable progress report. Did that happen? In the IEP I am fairly certain that it doesn't say that your son was to be placed in the regular classroom, with no aide or assistance from the Special Ed. teacher. Also, given the grade, it is pretty clear that the help the IEP describes, was not given during the year. In essence, the school did not follow the IEP and is out of compliance.
The special education law is clear on what rights a parent has. I need to point out that the law is there to protect you and your son, but be prepared because when you begin to apply your rights, given what you have already stated, you will meet with resistance. If you don't feel that you can hold your ground, by all means request an advocate, or at the very least another person who you think can help you stand your ground. Also, please understand that you want to work with the school as partners rather than adversaries, but if they force you, the law is on your side.
The other advice I would give you is to read the documents that they give you carefully. Rather than just calling the school, write them a letter. It may even be time to write a letter to the district Special Education Department. In that letter be detailed and include names and dates of when you met and who was there. State that you felt they were pushing you and your son into something that was not right. Indicate what you did when you got the progress reports and what the school said they would do and if they did it. If they do not respond after 10 days, then send a letter to the State Special Education office.
The bottom line is that the schools have to listen to you, by law. If you do not like what is happening in the IEP, you can appeal it, even if you signed it. Good luck.
Ben Johnson, Assistant Superintendent