We often hear from parents who are planning to call an “Emergency IEP” with their child’s school district. This is usually because there are urgent reasons to update their child’s IEP or a crisis that necessitates holding an IEP team meeting NOW!
Regardless of the reason for calling the emergency IEP, the school district still has 30 days to hold an IEP Team Meeting. These 30 days start from the time you submit a written request for an IEP meeting, but include weekends and some holidays. Timelines exclude any school breaks of a week or more like ski week, spring break, or summer break. If you request an emergency IEP meeting on the very last day of the school year, the first day of the next school year is when you can expect the meeting to occur.
You can express that it is urgent that the team meet. We have seen meetings take place as soon as two to three days after a request, although this is not common.
I’ve had an emergency IEP meeting. Now what?
You have met with the IEP team for an emergency IEP meeting and your child is still in an inappropriate placement. In many cases, the child is in great distress both at school and at home. What do you do when your child is in an unbearable educational situation and you have tried everything you know to try?
Some parents choose to remove their child from school, sending the district a note that the student is in distress and cannot attend. Others simply call and tell the district the child is sick—as many times as necessary. There is a huge problem with both approaches.
What’s the problem?
Some districts aggressively pursue truancy claims against students AND parents. As a result, parents can face misdemeanor charges after repeated incidents within the same school year. Additionally, the student can end up in juvenile court. Occasionally calling out your student will not trigger this.
What else can I do?
For help at your child’s next IEP meeting, more information about our special education advocacy services, or for a FREE 20-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit for you, call or email today!
As parents, we understand. As advocates, we can help.