May 24, 2023 | By: Jennifer Jordan
Categories: Education & Schools
It’s no secret that there’s a staffing shortage in our public schools. This shortage is impacting all students and programs, especially special education programs.
Due to the staffing shortage, students may not be receiving the services stated in their individualized education program (IEP). As a parent or guardian, what can you do?
To understand the capacity of your public school’s special education program, I highly suggest finding the answers to some of these questions:
In addition to following up on these questions, stay organized and make sure you have a paper trail. You should be receiving updated progress reports from your student’s school. Ask for all the data and work samples that support the progress that your child is or isn’t making. I would ask for data to be sent home on a weekly basis.
After you’ve gathered this information, what can you do? It’s not as if we can magically fill all the open positions. But our kids still require Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). If the services in the IEP are not being met, you need to request an Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meeting. During the meeting, use all the documentation from the questions above to ask for compensatory services.
Compensatory services are services needed to make up for learning that was lost when the IEP was not followed. These services are individualized for the student. Compensatory education is an ARD committee decision. When considering compensatory education, think about the following:
It is important that you have proof to support that your child has lost skills. You need documentation that the IEP is not being followed. Remember that you are an equal member of the ARD committee. Make sure you have researched all your avenues. In some cases, an advocate or attorney might be needed to make sure your child is receiving FAPE.
Here is information on your child’s right to a free and appropriate education.
You are your child’s best advocate. Prepare for the IEP meeting and advocate for your child as an empowered parent.
Categories: Education & Schools
It’s time for your child’s ARD meeting. This is an emotional time for many families. Here are some Ideas for being prepared.
Categories: Education & Schools
Children – with and without a disability – go to school to prepare for life: continued education, employment and independent living. Do you have a vision for your child’s future? Does your child’s Individualized Education Program or IEP move your child closer or farther from that vision?
Categories: Education & Schools