Like anything else in life, there's a method to the special education process. It was put in place to help people who deal with learning disabilities get the best services possible. In order to help you understand this method, here's a simplified version of the Special Education process.
1) Request for evaluation
Someone sees that the child is having difficulty in school and asks that testing be done to find out what's causing the problem. This request can come from parents or educators. If the parents make the request, the district must agree to give a full and individual evaluation. If the request is made from someone else, such as a teacher, a team of educators and an administrator will meet to review the reasons and decide whether to pursue testing. No matter who makes the request, you as the parent, must give written permission for this testing to be done. At this point, you will be informed of your rights and those of your child.
If the district decides not to test, then it must let you know that and inform you of your rights. You can continue to pursue the option through a due process hearing if you wish.
2) Results of the testing
You have the right to be notified of the results of the testing before the meeting. If you don't understand what is being said in the report, you have the right to have someone explain the results to you.
When the testing is done, you will meet with the team of professionals to be told of the results. If your child is found to have a learning disability, and you agree that he should receive special education services, then you must give written permission for this to happen.
If he is not found to have a learning disability, you and his teachers will still have valuable information about him and the ways he learns best.
If you disagree with the results either way, you have the right to have him tested by someone outside the school district. The district must pay for the evaluation or show at a special hearing why it refused.
3) Placement
If you and the school district agree that a learning disability was found, then you and the team will decide the best program for your child. The team will make up an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that will include goals and ways to measure those goals during the year. It will also list the services your child will get and any special aids or helps your child can get, such as special transportation or speech therapy if he needs it.
Your child is entitled to receive his services in the "Least Restrictive Environment. "That means that he will receive the services that are best for him in the place that's best. For example, he won't be placed in the resource room for help with math if he needs help only with reading. He won't be asked to stay in the mainstream for spelling if he has a learning disability in that area. In other words, he will only receive help in things he needs help in.
It's important to be active in this process for your child. If you know the process, you can make sure that it's followed correctly and that your child's rights are recognized. This doesn't mean that you always have to be on the attack, but it does mean that you need to keep a watchful eye. Again, it all comes back to acting on behalf of your child, since he can't do that for himself. And, in the long run, he will be more successful because of you.
For more plain talk about learning disabilities, please visit us at www.ldperspectives.com.
About the Author
Sandy Gauvin is a retired educator who has seen learning disabilities from many perspectives - as the parent of a daughter with learning disabilities, as the teacher of children with learning disabilities, and as an advocate for others who have diagnosed and unrecognized learning disabilities. Sandy shares her wisdom and her resources at www.ldperspectives.com.
Is it hard to communicate with your teenager about issues... Read More
How to Get Your Child to Love Reading was conceived... Read More
Are you a frustrated parent who sometimes finds it is... Read More
It happens every year. Just when you are settled in... Read More
It can be difficult on all family members to have... Read More
Memorabilia ? Children can create enough artwork for an entire... Read More
A study done by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute found... Read More
The girl's jaw dropped in horror as the police officer... Read More
1. Create... Read More
I'll never forget my first lesson in a glider.I'd been... Read More
1) It's not my (pot, beer, cigarettes, etc.), I'm just... Read More
The school holidays are a great time for the kids,... Read More
What is hard for parentsLetting them learn from their mistakes.Trying... Read More
Did you know that the number of twin births have... Read More
Teachers know that children thrive in an environment with routines,... Read More
I hear from many parents that their child is stressed... Read More
Some public schools try to turn children against their parents... Read More
As with everything, names go through cycles of change with... Read More
The legend and myth of the Tooth Fairy is a... Read More
Some children practically potty train themselves, while others struggle and... Read More
"Money is tight, and my husband's obsessed with doing everything... Read More
According to a September 2004 study by the RAND Corporation,... Read More
For the first year or two of life outside the... Read More
? Let the child choose his or her own lunch... Read More
Ritalin has been shown through the years to be very... Read More
Dowagiac cheap limo service ..There are many useful jogger stroller accessories out on the... Read More
We've got spirit, yes we do! We've got spirit how... Read More
I wanted to share with you one of the most... Read More
The back-to-school shopping is done. Brand new pencils, colored markers,... Read More
Bearers of life, wipers of noses, givers of unconditional love... Read More
The debate in many towns continues throughout this country about... Read More
In speaking with parents a comment I frequently hear is... Read More
When a parent is deployed with the military it can... Read More
Most of our Founding Fathers, including Ben Franklin, Sam Adams,... Read More
Ah, potty training! Go to a local bookseller and you... Read More
"No thank you. Don't bother to send me the report... Read More
In memory of 14 year old Matthew Smith; 11 year... Read More
Once upon a time, I thought I had it all.... Read More
If you are a parent, then more than likely you... Read More
It is human nature to feel competitive and envious toward... Read More
Lets face it becoming a mum is a bit of... Read More
In 1996-97 we were contracted by VAXA International of Tampa,... Read More
Have you made your usual New Year resolutions? You know... Read More
"Money is tight, and my husband's obsessed with doing everything... Read More
Whenever parents discuss how to deal with bed wetting, the... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed being a parent? Do you want... Read More
While most fathers aspire to become the best Dads they... Read More
Age 1: Invite only family members and close friends only... Read More
A fun way to build your child's imaginationWriting is still... Read More
I have three children, ages 19 and 16 (yes, the... Read More
Parenting |