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.
Spending quality time with your children doesn't need to cost... Read More
What a dreamer I am when thinking about parenthood. Most... Read More
Kitchens are where everything happens. It's not just where meals... Read More
Are you looking for the Ultimate Airplane Themed Party Games... Read More
Parental example, whether for good or for bad, is undoubtedly... Read More
Cardiovascular endurance is one of the five health-related components of... Read More
Mommy (Daddy), Why do those people want to hurt everyone?Last... Read More
Q. Things have been relatively calm and OK with our... Read More
Are you being smart about water conservation? Do you consider... Read More
'How can I start getting my children to help out... Read More
Bedtime and children's sleep habits can cause nightmares - for... Read More
Did you know that many people retire broke?It's true. After... Read More
As a parent, you probably know that the birthday party... Read More
Last night Tom's daughter, Sue, came out of her room... Read More
Maintain CommunicationEven though teens need to separate from their parents... Read More
Isn't the technology of today is amazing?! Between the speed... Read More
I wanted to share with you one of the most... Read More
Love, love, love. It makes the world go round. It... Read More
As part of the whole-language (or "balanced") reading-instruction philosophy, many... Read More
Parents of hyperactive children know the "Would you please just... Read More
The popularity of EEG Biofeedback Training continues to grow both... Read More
Can you draw a straight line? Most adults don't consider... Read More
It is not the divorce but the conflict arising after... Read More
In the first premise, some films and video tapes which... Read More
My wife and I have been working on a video... Read More
When my son was 18 (and had finished school), he... Read More
Do any other reality TV junkies remember a show on... Read More
Single parenting has seemingly become an acceptable norm which is... Read More
When our oldest son was 2, my wife went out... Read More
Dan Rather made a significant and tactical error and got... Read More
Vouchers, which give tax money to parents to pay for... Read More
Successful parents have learned to be both firm and kind... Read More
Is Homework Really That Important?Dear Friends,I no longer teach in... Read More
Identity and Your Fraternal TwinFor the most part, throughout this... Read More
17 Quick Ways to Strengthen the Bonds of LoveOn Mother's... Read More
When it comes to the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity... Read More
Many families today are blending members from past relationships. It... Read More
Who Can Register A Birth? The child's mother... Read More
Paula's last child had just gone off to college and... Read More
My son recently had his third birthday party and it... Read More
What makes parenting so challenging at times? One widespread research... Read More
The last decade has seen heightened interest in and awareness... Read More
Why Is Spending Time with Your Child So Important?For children... Read More
A common theme over the past 20 years has been... Read More
Lets face it becoming a mum is a bit of... Read More
O.K. So now you have taken the step of having... Read More
You may think once your child has gone off to... Read More
Have you made your usual New Year resolutions? You know... Read More
Did you know that over 75% of teens aged 16-17... Read More
Your child's teacher says that you need to find out... Read More
Parenting |