Tip #1: All IEP processes take time.
It can be exceedingly frustrating when you are not able to get your children what they need. We understand the frustration—we’ve been there.
A parent once called in November 2018 to see about getting her child assessed for public school kindergarten in fall 2019. First, we advised her to enroll the child in their home district. Following enrollment, she needed to request that the district assess in all suspected areas of disability. Were she able to complete the paperwork the day after our phone call, the IEP team meeting would have taken place in late February or early March. This may seem early, but this is intentional—It gives the parent time to develop a backup plan, if necessary.
The mandated timelines can be found here.
Tip #2: Write it down.
When requesting an assessment, we recommended you submit it in writing and email it to at least two people at the school district. Asking verbally is fine as long as the written request follows immediately.
Tip #3: You must sign the initial IEP if you want services, supports, and accommodations.
The district makes an offer of FAPE (free appropriate public education). You do not need to agree with everything in the IEP to be able to sign it. You must, however, agree to at least one goal. It is possible to carefully dissect an IEP to pick out the pieces you want.
Until you have signed it, the IEP is on hold.
Tip #4: Record all IEP team meetings.
We know this sounds adversarial. District staff are the people around the table and the ones writing the meeting notes. What if a key item does not make it into the IEP document you receive, sometimes over a week after the meeting? It happens all the time.
If there is a fundamental disagreement, will the district staff side with you? Maybe. Do you want to rely on that?
The recording you make is your proof of what took place during the meeting. You may need it, you may not, but it is better to have it and not need it. The alternative could be spending a lot of time preparing for a meeting, getting what your child needs, and then having it not make it into the IEP document. Think of the recording as cheap insurance for you.
Recording meetings also decreases the likelihood that the district will say something that does not comply with the law (yes, some do that).
For help at your child’s next IEP meeting or for more information about special education advocacy services, please call or email via our contact form for a FREE 20-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit for you.
As parents, we understand. As experienced and trained advocates, we can help.