else who wants to jump in. I have an IEP meeting for my 5 year old this week. He has speech issues as well as being 2.8 below the mean in expressive language. I called it because his speech teacher has requested he be re-evaluated (evaluation not due for 2 more years) with the object being to take him out of speech, thus special ed. He definately still has articulation issues and goals this past year didn;t address expressive language at all. What happens if I just refuse to let them retest him until the three years is up and he is due for a re-evaluation? Can I even do this? I am just not looking forward to testing that I know I will have to challenge with an IEE as am already doing this with another kid as you know. Can I just stop them in their tracks? Thanks!
Re: Dad , Socks and anyone.....
Hi Tink. The only thing I can say is that if they do the testing, but don’t do tests that hit his problem areas, you would be justified in telling them you want a comprehensive independent speech/language eval. If they are not covering expressive (or I am guessing pragmatic) language issues, you may want to get an independent (if you can swing it, or if insurance will cover it) eval just to get advice on what goals need to be worked on. My son is up for his 3-year eval this spring, and I was very worried that my school district would try to test him out of the special needs school he attends, but I worried in vain. They are very happy with his progress and want to keep him there (yeah!). My son’s SLP will be doing the testing for the school district, and I had a say in what tests I thought would be appropriate for finding his weak points. Maybe you can get them to agree to certain tests? I do not think you have to do any tests until the 3 year eval, but wanted to give some suggestions just in case, or for when your 3-year comes up.
Okay,here is all your options. According to procedural safeguards,they do not need your consent to do re-evaluations,BUT if your formally refuse consent for evaluation,then they must file due process procedures to do the evaluation. Okay,what does that mean? If you do not respond,they can go ahead and evaluate,but if you do response by writing a BIG FAT NO,to evaluation then they can not do it,unless they fight you in court to do it.
They also,just on the side here,change his educational placement,unless you agree. Hence even if the eval is done,they can’t move him out of speech unless all agree.