Are there Federal guidelines for IEPs?

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

Or do the states make their own rules?

Hi I’m new, just found this site (TG). I have a 9 year old son who has ADHD. We’ve been working with this diagnosis and prescribed meds for the past two years. Last year I moved to a new state. Massachusetts was GREAT as far as creating and implementing his IEP and communications. RI, my new state, leaves a lot to be desired and I wasn’t sure if it was a state thing or if the school district I’m in (known for an excellent system) is not performing up to par. I’ve just recently found out they decided to freestyle with his IEP (three weeks after school has already started) and have not gotten a call back from the principal. Oh and I found out from my son, not the school, they are terrible with communication.

I’m very frustrated right now and just wondered if there are federal guidelines that they must adhere too. I’m ready to leave work and go to the superintendent I’m so mad.

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 10/04/2004 - 8:51 PM

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Yes, there are federal guidelines, but the extent to which each state or county can follow them depends on their budget or individual school system. We have a huge amount of resources here, people move from other states because our special needs programs are so good, but I have a friend in Michigan who has to fight tooth and nail for every little inch she gets and her son STILL isn’t having the federal requirements met (in this case, his need for an environment of least restriction).

Here is a link to the US government site of the ADA

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

More specifically, here is a link to the site for the US department of Education Office of Civil Rights.

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html

Submitted by suezqz_64 on Tue, 10/05/2004 - 2:04 PM

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[quote=”Huh?”]Yes, there are federal guidelines, but the extent to which each state or county can follow them depends on their budget or individual school system. We have a huge amount of resources here, people move from other states because our special needs programs are so good, but I have a friend in Michigan who has to fight tooth and nail for every little inch she gets and her son STILL isn’t having the federal requirements met (in this case, his need for an environment of least restriction).

Here is a link to the US government site of the ADA

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

More specifically, here is a link to the site for the US department of Education Office of Civil Rights.

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html[/quote]

Thanks Huh?, This went unanswered for a while. These links are great and should prove very helpful. Thanks again!

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 10/22/2004 - 12:00 AM

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they must no matter what follow federal guidelines.There are many yahoo groups on special ed with great advice and try wrightslaw.

I found out today that I was given wrong info here.

Submitted by obesestatistic on Wed, 11/03/2004 - 8:27 AM

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That’s right, federal mandate supercedes any state or local code. They must follow federal mandates, that is why they get extra funding for special ed students.

It is important to note that a child with ADD/ADHD is not necessarily entitled to an IEP but is covered by section 504, so you may want to research that too.

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