can anyone recommend a resource (or assist with your own experience) an example i can use to officially lodge dissatisfaction with one portion of son’s IEP.. a written letter, perhaps?.. his year-end closeout was scheduled for this thurs.. GC just called to cancel because homeroom teacher can’t attend.. the IEP expires 08/02.. son is “intellectually gifted/learning disabled”.. (3rd grader).. i’m HUGELY unhappy with services recv’d this past year in reading resources.. i’ve made mention of this on several occassions, to no avail.. & i’m sure no record of my dissatisfaction exists, to date.. any advice??.. [if this is too vague, pls. email me direct..]
Re: looking for advice/suggestions in formalizing dissatisfa
Did you ask for specific services in the IEP meetings? If you are concerned about your son’s services at any time, you can request another IEP meeting. These are not limited to annual reviews (this year I have had 2 eligibility meetings and 5 IEP meetings!).
If they refuse services you request at an IEP meeting, then they must provide you with “Prior Written Notice” as to WHY they refuse to implement those services. Look in your procedural safeguards for more info on that. Also go to Wrightslaw.com to get more information. This is a really good website about special education advocacy and laws.
Everything MUST be written down - but remember all your letters are part of your son’s permanent file - so be careful how you write them.
Lil
Re: looking for advice/suggestions in formalizing dissatisfa
The best advice I have heard is to write your own IEP before the meeting.
Use their format. Write on it. Don’t let them have vague goals and vague methods for meeting those goals. The one they use for my son is “will be done in class by the teacher.” Nice and vague.
Do your own research about reading programs that work. I like phonographix also called reading reflex or other programs that teach phonome awareness. I think earobics is another one.
When you write your IEP write in that program will be used to achieve the goals.
I also have had experience with handwriting without tears, this program along with OT focusing on form drawings has improved my sons handwriting.
I have found that much of what I say gets ignored. From now on all of my requests will be in writing. Special services can make a huge difference. Make sure to demand them.
PS my son is twice exceptional as well. These kids can easily fall through the cracks. Gifts hide the deficits and the deficits hide the gifts. They can end up bored and lost without help for either exceptionality.
Good Luck
Re: looking for advice/suggestions in formalizing dissatisfa
Schools are designed to try and meet the needs of all students. If you feel your child deserves services that can not be provided by the school - why don’t you just educate them at home. Schools have limited resources and some of you think your child is the only one needing an education!
Write it on the IEP. Send registered letters to the school authorities, all of them. Have the school hire a reading tutor at their expense for the summer. Demand more than you expect to get even if it seems slightly unreasonable demands can be use as bargaining chips.
How bad is his reading?