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.
Giving with a happy heart. If you teach a child... Read More
We take it for granted that children know how money... Read More
When it's time to put your child into a daycare... Read More
Home schooling benefits children. As a parent, I feel it... Read More
So you're going to become a father. Now is not... Read More
Travel is a common theme in my life -- probably... Read More
The Theme from MASHI flipped the button on the remote... Read More
While youth gangs are nothing new -- they've been traced... Read More
Puberty can be a difficult time for children. Not quite... Read More
Nothing touches the heartstrings of a parent or teacher more... Read More
What makes parenting so challenging at times? One widespread research... Read More
Paula's last child had just gone off to college and... Read More
In 1996-97 we were contracted by VAXA International of Tampa,... Read More
Does the homework battle so typical with your hyperactive or... Read More
It's a familiar scene: Kids screaming at each other, complaining... Read More
Children explore the world around them and learn through pretend... Read More
Those of you that have children know what an excursion... Read More
Life is funny.My twenty-year-old daughter, Melanie, has a her new... Read More
Ah, there is nothing like being an expectant mom. Along... Read More
Graphology for Child development.:- Graphology is the science of understanding... Read More
Compulsory attendance laws are school authorities' first assault on parental... Read More
Vinegar or honey, what do kids really want? "Toys, candy,... Read More
Q: My husband and I are at a loss as... Read More
Recess has begun disappearing in states all around the country.... Read More
Like anything else in life, there's a method to the... Read More
top rated cleaning service Des Plaines ..In 1996-97 we were contracted by VAXA International of Tampa,... Read More
If there are any parents reading this who are thinking... Read More
Mommy (Daddy), Why do those people want to hurt everyone?Last... Read More
We are all so very happy to see that the... Read More
The citizens of the early Roman Republic enjoyed an education... Read More
Children are notoriously bad at drinking enough liquids. They are... Read More
Choosing a good car seat for your child's protection is... Read More
From the time the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock in... Read More
The snow was getting heavier with each lift of the... Read More
Corolle Paul or Emma Drink-and-Wet SET potty dollsThis is the... Read More
In an actual war, to be attacked means to have... Read More
O.K. I've heard it a hundred times from my prison... Read More
I'll never forget my first lesson in a glider.I'd been... Read More
It was at that time when our marriage was falling... Read More
The cost of being a parent and raising a child... Read More
1. Encourage your babysitter by keeping their favorite foods/snacks on... Read More
Teenagers are a work-in-progress, and parenting teenagers can be tricky... Read More
Some people can concentrate on an assignment, to the exclusion... Read More
Early childhood educators have called play "children's work". Many parents... Read More
Assuming there are no serious motor problems present, what can... Read More
How are parents to know they are doing the right... Read More
In speaking with parents a comment I frequently hear is... Read More
When a child wets the bed they worry. Children tend... Read More
A small town, somewhere in the world, was managed by... Read More
As our children grow, they will be going to schools... Read More
Parenting |