I personally have had enough of the BS we are dealing with concerning Drew's IEP (Individualized Education Plan), and I am pretty sure I can speak for Drew's Mom on this one as well.
We're busier than normal right now, but we are going to put our heads together and write a series of posts documenting much of what we have been going through in the last few months. We're sorry that we have not been posting as much and will try to catch everyone up.
I believe that our school district is intentionally depriving parents of their rights under law and I want all parents out there to 1) understand where to find out what these rights are (both federal and as outlined in their state law) and 2) have some support when the schools that like to bully unsuspecting parents start violating these rights.
You really need to understand your Procedural Safeguards, so that if you have a dispute with your school district you understand where and how to get resolution. If you are transitioning from Part C to Part B of IDEA (you are currently enrolled with a state organization like Early Steps or Help Me Grow), there is an Inter-Agency Agreement between the state organization and your school district which outlines the transition process and timelines. Obtain a copy of this document from your state agency.
Initially I did not want to post details on our blog about our IEP process because I didn't want anyone at the school to hold any of our opinions against us. At this point, however, I feel "that ship has sailed". We've filed a complaint with the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) alleging at least 6 violations of law our school district has committed and our relationship with the lady we've been dealing with couldn't possibly get any worse.
FYI: It chills the school/parent relationship when school contact refuses to provide the parents with the "procedural safeguards" (i.e. parental rights during the IEP process) until after three separate requests and 52 days have passed.
Anyway, we're still here and working for Drew. We're also working for you parents with cochlear implant kids so you can be as protected as possible when you head down this road. We hope you don't run into trouble or have to go to Due Process, but if you do we want you to have the best case possible.
P.S. If you have any questions about the IEP Process from a legal standpoint, feel free to post in a comment and we and our readers will surely try to assist.
3 comments:
I don't have any questions or advice, but I just wanted to let you know you're not alone! My school district is also giving us the runaround, and it is SO frustrating.
I'm planning on starting the year with the IEP I have (better than before, but saying and doing are two different things. Plus there was one pretty *major* part that they refused to compromise one)
and seeing how it goes. If we're not satisfied, it's looks like Due Process may be the way we're going to have to go.
Nothing's ever easy...
redtube
Hi Drew's family:
We are about at the point where we will be filing an IEP complaint and would love your thoughts. My email is melribich at hotmail dot com if you have a minute. :)
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