In part 1 of this series, I talked a little about your child’s educational rights, the evaluation process, and the integral role you, the parent, plays in the I.E.P. process as a whole. In part 2, I want to talk a little about the various forms that you may be expected to sign at the I.E.P. meeting, in addition to what to expect next, upon completion of the I.E.P. meeting.
Each one of the forms listed below is considered to be a legal document, and must contain your signature before they can go into effect. While it is true that different states have different procedures, the following forms, generally speaking, are the ones you may be expected to sign at your child’s I.E.P. meeting:
1. The Invitation: This form should be presented to you at the start of the I.E.P. meeting. Each person in attendance should sign the form. This may include the regular education teacher, the special education teacher, a school administrator, a district representative and, of course, you! Please know that by signing this form, you are simply acknowledging that you were in attendance for the I.E.P. meeting, and not that you agree with the contents of what the document entails (i.e., goals, objectives, services, frequency of services, etc.).
2. N.O.R.E.P.: Also known as the Notice of Recommended Educational Placement (this form may have another name depending on the state in which you reside), this document should explain, in detail, the educational placement (or plan) that was agreed upon by the I.E.P. team. This form must contain your signature before the I.E.P. can be implemented. Always be aware that the I.E.P. is a legal, working document, and the district must have your written consent before services can start.
3. Procedural Safeguards Notice: This packet explains, in great detail, your child’s educational rights. Though the reading may seem a little dense (and not very interesting), it’s something with which you will want to familiarize yourself. Oh, and if you need clarity of what is explained in the document, ask away! You have the right to know what your rights are as a parent, which should all be explained in the Procedural Safeguards Notice. Once this packet is given to you, you will then be expected to sign a form that states you received a copy.
4. H.I.P.A.A. (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): It is important for you to take some time to read through the H.I.P.A.A. packet, which outlines (again, in great detail), your child’s confidentiality and privacy rights. Once you receive this packet, a form will be given to you to sign. By signing the form, you are simply saying that you received a copy of your child’s confidentiality and privacy rights.
5. Release Form: School district personal can only release your child’s academic records to external entities with your written consent. By signing this form, you are giving your permission for school personal to share your child’s documents with others (i.e., educators, therapists, administrators, behavioral health professionals, etc.).
After the I.E.P. Meeting is Completed:
Once the I.E.P. has been completed, and you have signed all the necessary forms, your child’s school district has a certain number of days to implement the plan (this varies from state-to-state). Keep in mind that you, as the parent, can request an I.E.P. review meeting at ANY time during the school year to discuss your child’s progress, or lack thereof.
Your child’s I.E.P. is valid for one calendar year. That means the goals and objectives that are put in place must be implemented for one full year. Once that year expires, an annual I.E.P. meeting will be scheduled. At this meeting, you and the team will come together to talk about the progress your child has or has not made in reaching his/her goals, what needs to be changed, revised, omitted, etc. The need to continue special education services may also be a topic of discussion (depending on your child’s level of functionality in reference to his/her goals).
In part 3 of this series, “Calling All Parents: Know Your Child’s Educational Rights!,” I will list the many important acronyms you may come across in some of the documents that are given to you. Check back next Tuesday for the final part of this series!
-Craig
Craig Gibson, M.Ed., was diagnosed with a learning disability at the age of six, and spent the next twelve years in special education. He has since earned two degrees, has published on the local and national levels, and is the Assistant Editor of SensorySpot.com (sister site of AutismSpot.com). Craig also has a child diagnosed with verbal apraxia. Craig can be reached at craig.gibson6@verizon.net.
No comments:
Post a Comment