I know that most of you have already read about my son dropping out of school. There were numerous reasons, but they all have to do with Lee's Summit refusing him the services that IDEA demands.
My daughters were also on IEPs. They started in kindergarten. They stayed on IEPs until Woodland was built. One daughter remained on her IEP, but the other was taken off. She really started to struggle and I had to demand that they retest her. Sure enough, she was falling behind and they put her back on an IEP for a month.
It seems as though Lee's Summit Middle Schools don't offer services. None of my children were given speech services while in middle school.
When one of my daughters started high school they put her in a reading lab. They don't have to count that as special education. I once again had to DEMAND that they test her. Her evaluations showed that she had a disability, but the district refused her services. She had to struggle through school and even take summer school.
She went to college last year. She had to take remedial courses because the Lee's Summit district failed her. This year she was forced to drop out because she couldn't keep up in English. Thanks to Lee's Summit the only children that are succeeding are those that make the district look good. How long will the residents of Lee's Summit remain bllind?
This is a classic case of the school system not putting the student 1st.
ReplyDeleteDid you attend the IEP meetings? Voice concerns? Keep in close touch with the teachers? I blame the system the majority of the time. I was a spec.ed. teacher for 10 years and recently left due to my frustration. Too many students are not getting the accommodations or placement they need. Many administrators have little knowledge of how different these classrooms are for these students.
The key steps to take from day one:
1. From day one, get involved. Be respectful, not demanding (at least not at 1st. I know many teachers do more for parents who seem to care.
2. Make sure your child gets a full evaluation at least every 3 years. They change as they grow physically, intellectually, and by school learning.
3. Keep in close contact with the teachers, but do not demand. Suggestions from you should be welcome. You know your child better than anyone else. Keep in mind, teachers are overwhelmed by increasing responsibilities and the many changes so get frustrated. Don't be a "pest" with constant calls and emails.(Emails are documentation-print them.)
4. Attend IEP meetings and ask questions. Feel free to ask for documentation from either the teachers or case manager for every goal on the IEP. I suggest asking the teacher(s) for this once a quarter.
5. When voicing your concerns, if the IEP team does not agree on the IEP, schedule a meeting and include another administrator.
6. If the team still does not agree request another meeting with the teachers, spec.ed. person, and administration (the school may require someone from the county also-to defend the school) and let them know you will bring an advocate with you to discuss your child's history, needs, and legal rights. Do not sound threatening. When the word "advocate" is mentioned, everyone will listen. They know they have to get their ducks in a row. Good advocates (they charge a fee) know the laws and are excellent at these meetings. This meeting can be for the annual IEP meeting or at another time.
If an agreement is not made, the next step is mediation. Final step is legal action.
An excellent web site is www.wrightslaw.com. It is a must for parents and all in education.
Every state and county runs a little differently, but the law is the law. You have to fight for your child. Do not give up. Think of why we have education for all students. It is so every person graduates and can be as productive in society as possible. If students in special education (depending on each of their potential abilities) do not get the deserved services, where will they go after high school? Did they learn any job skills? Independence? Social skills?
One final note, make sure you have a transition meeting early, not just the week or so before graduation. See what they are entitled to for services after graduation. There are so many options you may not know.
In defense of the school system, they are understaffed due to budget cuts and everyone in the school district is under a great deal of pressure. As a teacher, it is unbelievable how much paperwork is required from us. The last 2 years when I taught students in the profound (lowest ability) level, much of the day was spent with aids changing diapers and hand feeding. And I still was expected to teach multiple subjects daily and document everything on every student. Thus, my frustration.
I plan to either advocate full time or see what I can do to educate parents. Too many give up or just trust the school. I am studying and researching for a PhD in Education/Special Education.
Spend time researching! Use the internet! Good luck.
I had so much more to say and advice to provide, but comments are limited to 4,096 characters.
ReplyDeleteBasically-learn the law, follow wrightslaw.com, use the word advocate, and research the law.
Barb,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your wonderful suggestions. I have spent more hours on Wrightslaw than I have on anything else in the last few years.
I have filed complaints. It did no good. I have done everything short of hiring an attorney. It has all failed.
This district is powerful and has my tax dollars at their disposal to pay for high power attorneys. They use them all of the time.
I amm going to post my child complaints and then I will post the results. You will see that the district and the state have no desire to help our children.
I was on the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Advisory Panel. Once again I found corruption and no desire to help children.
I will keep fighting. I will never give up. There are too lives at risk.
Once again, thanks for all of your wonderful suggestions and commments.