We want our children to be happy, accepted, and to have access to an IEP program they need to receive an education. How different are the IEP programs between different school districts? Should you plan to buy a house in a district that is “better” than another? Once you are in a school district, how do you secure a satisfactory IEP program for your child?
We often receive phone calls from parents asking us where they should move to get the best services for their children. This is a great question and it does not have a simple answer. There are a few local school districts notorious for being difficult towards a disabled student and their IEP
program. Most other districts are somewhere in the middle of a bell-shaped curve. However, despite the difficulties or lack thereof, we have found that a district cannot do an excellent job for your child simply because you have moved into their district. You must also have a plan when you meet with the district to discuss your child’s IEP program.
What does this IEP program look like? What should it look like?
To successfully create an IEP program with your school district’s cooperation, it is helpful to have assessments of your child’s current capabilities. These assessments should list your child’s strengths and in what areas your child needs additional help. It helps a lot if you have a clear idea of whether these assessments cover all areas of suspected disability. When our children are young, we often do not know what assessments to request. Some districts may ‘forget’ to tell us about all—or any—of them. One of the best ways to make sure your child has been properly assessed is to involve an advocate. Your advocate will look over your child’s paperwork and ensure that all the initial assessments have been properly executed before helping you decide what route to take next.
When we meet with a new family, we go over the assessments in their current or former IEP program. We ask about areas we see missing and will sometimes suggest assessments in areas the district has not considered. Sometimes parents have already asked for additional assessments. Some school districts either do not respond or require extensive justification of why the student needs the assessment. Even if the parents respond with a satisfactory answer, there are times the district dismisses the answer or simply ignores the response.
As parents, we understand. As advocates, we can help.