Finally, a book for parents and professionals about parent rights and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA 2004 A PARENT HANDBOOK FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES provides an overall look at special education as related to rights and services.
IDEA 2004 A PARENT HANDBOOK FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES provides a complete introduction to special education law and discusses:
Historical Perspective, Disability Law, Procedural Safeguards and Parent Rights, Discipline Guidelines, Placement Procedures, and the Now What factor.
IDEA 2004 A PARENT HANDBOOK FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES offers all of the basic information needed to advocate effectively for your child.
Shelley Smith, Ed.S., is a school psychologist and parent advocate with nine years experience. Her varied professional roles have included medical technologist, medical microbiologist, school psychologist, educational consultant, research assistant, school board member, advocate, and parent support provider. Her book draws upon extensive personal and professional experience.
Talk to parents of children who have special needs. Form networks and alliances with organizations in the community or through the web. Be knowledgeable about your rights. Ask for and keep copies of all notes from meetings. Keep copies of all IEPs, comprehensive evaluation reports, notes, progress reports and other forms of communication in a binder to take with you to meetings and to refer back to quickly and easily. What if they will not provide them you ask? Remember “the quote.” I feel that you are violating my parental rights and in doing so you are also infringing upon my child’s right to her federally mandated free and appropriate public education. Ask questions or call back for clarification on anything you do not understand. Ask a school psychologist or other child advocate if you believe that your child’s rights are being infringed upon. Never be okay with NOT understanding. When in doubt, call state department or representative.
Remember the “Seven Deadliest Sins”
The State department will take complaints regarding the following very seriously:
- Procedural violations
· Failure to provide written notice with
· A full explanation of procedural safeguards
· Description of the proposed action
· Options considered and why rejected
· Description of each evaluation or test
· Failure to obtain consent prior
o Initial evaluation
o Initial placement
o Release of records
· Independent Evaluation
o Parents have the right to an IEE if they disagree with the district’s evaluation
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