Special Ed Advocate Newsletter, May 19, 2004 (Issue 260)

At Wrightslaw, our goals are to help you gain the information and skills you need navigate the confusing world of special education.

Highlights: Your role at your child's IEP meeting; progress in general curriculum; how to use info from evaluations in the IEP; Wrightslaw books; Scratch n' Dent Sale; child's IQ scores falling, school says he is "doing fine"; how a parent lobbied for an appropriate program; Wrightslaw programs in AL, FL, WA, CA; free pubs about IEPs; help from Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities.

As the parent of a child with special educational needs, you represent your child's interests. When you negotiate with the school on your child's behalf, you increase the odds that your child will get an appropriate education.

You cannot leave this job to others!

If your goal is to attend the IEP meeting, all you have to do is to show up. If your goal is to participate effectively in developing your child's Individualized Educational Program (IEP), there are things you need to know and be able to do. The articles in this issue of The Special Ed Advocate will help you prepare for your child's IEP meetings.

Learn more about effective advocacy.

Your child's IEP should be based on information from current evaluations (present levels of educational performance) and your state's curriculum and standards.

The IDEA states that children with disabilities will be involved in and make progress in the general curriculum. (See Appendix A to the IDEA Regulations)

Get a copy of your state's curriculum standards from your state department of education website. (Your state may refer to this as "academic standards" or "curriculum frameworks"). Print the academic standards for the grade your child will attend next year. (This is the "general curriculum" that your child should be involved in.)

Use these curriculum standards and information from current evaluations of your child to write appropriate and measurable IEP goals and objectives for upcoming year.

The services in your child's IEP should be based on your child's "Present Levels of Educational Performance." Read the most recent evaluations of your child. If you don't have copies of these evaluations, ask the school to provide them before the IEP meeting.

What do these current test scores reveal about your child's strengths, weaknesses, educational needs, and progress? What remediation does your child need? Does your child need accommodations? Modifications?

These articles about evaluations will help you prepare for the next IEP meeting.

What to Expect from an Evaluation of Your Child by Marianne S. Meyer, M.A. "A good evaluation for a disability is not as simple as 'having your child tested'. First, it requires preparation on your part . . . "

What You Should Know about Evaluations by Robert K. Crabtree, Esq. "As a parent, you must make sure that all areas of possible need are assessed as quickly as possible."

Tests and Measurements for the Parent, Teacher, Advocate & Attorney. "All important educational decisions, from eligibility to the intensity of educational services provided, are based on psychological and educational achievement test results. Changes in test scores allow parents and school personnel to assess educational benefit or regression. Parents need to learn what tests measure and what test results mean."

Learn about evaluations, assessments, tests.

Scratch-n-Dent Sale: Special Ed Law, From Emotions to Advocacy and No Child Left Behind - $9.95 each - Limited quantities available. Order Now

50% Discount on Bulk Purchases of Wrightslaw Books -The Advocacy Challenge Discount is a 50% discount on bulk purchases of Wrightslaw books.

7. Wrightslaw Legal & Advocacy Programs: AL, FL, WA, CA

Knowledge is power. When you have information and skills, you will be a more effective advocate for your child. Our role is to help you gain knowledge so you can negotiate with the school on your child's behalf.

Birmingham, Alabama - May 25, 2004 - FREE to Alabama parents who sign up early!

Orlando, FL - Family Cafe - May 28-30, 2004 (2 sessions and Keynote)

Seattle, WA - 1 day training at Autism Society of America National Conference - July 7, 2004

Sacramento CA Boot Camp - 1st Boot Camp on West Coast! - July 17-18, 2004

Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training Programs focus on four areas: special education law; using the bell curve to measure progress & regression; SMART IEPs; and tactics & strategies for effective advocacy.

Please join us for a Wrightslaw Training Program. If you are interested in bringing Pete and Pam Wright to your community, please read our FAQs about Seminars. (We are scheduling programs for 2005-2006.)

8. Free Pubs! IEPs

These publications about IEPs will teach you information and skills so you can step up to the plate and actively participate in your child's IEP.

A Guide to the Individualized Education Program (U. S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services) - Describes how to write IEPs that improve teaching, learning, and educational results. Download - To order free copies, contact ED Pubs, Editorial Publications Center, P O Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794. Phone: 877-4-ED-PUBS

Designing Individualized Education Program (IEP) Transition Plans The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires schools to prepare students with disabilities for employment and independent living. Transition planning that involves students and families leads to post-school success and independence. This article describes how to design quality IEP transition plans. Download - To order bound copies, contact The Council for Exceptional Children, 1-800-328-0272

An IEP Team's Introduction to Functional Behavioral Assessment and Behavior Intervention Plans - If you are the parent of a child with behavior problems or an educator who works with these children, read this excellent publication. Learn how to identify underlying causes of child's behavior (what the child "gets" or "avoids" through the behavior) and the IEP team's job of developing proactive instructional strategies, including positive behavioral interventions and supports, to address those behaviors that interfere with learning. Download as pdf file

More Free Pubs! One obstacle in advocating for a child with a disability is finding the time to do research. We spend hours collecting information so you can spend your time learning, not searching. When you visit our Free Pubs page, you will find high-quality free publications about IEPs, special education, transition planning, reading, children's mental health, harassment, high-stakes testing, retention and social promotion, zero tolerance and discipline.

9. Need Help? Visit the Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities

If you are looking for help - or a helper - visit the Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities. Your state Yellow Pages has many resources - evaluators, speech language therapists, tutors, special ed schools, advocates, attorneys, organizations, and support groups.

These articles will help you find help:

What to Expect from an Evaluation of Your Child

Working with Independent Evaluators and Educational Consultants

Strategies to Find a Support or Study Group

Free Listings in the Yellow Pages: If you help parents get services for children (i.e., an evaluator, educational consultant, academic tutor, advocate, attorney, special ed school, etc.) or you facilitate a support or study group for parents, submit an application be listed in the Yellow Pages for Kids. Send an email to app@yellowpagesforkids.com for an application. Listings in the Yellow Pages are free.

Help Others: Please print and distribute Flyers for Your State Yellow Pages for Kids.

The Special Ed Advocate is a free online newsletter about special education legal and advocacy issues, cases, and tactics and strategies. Subscribers receive "alerts" about new cases, events, and special offers on Wrightslaw books.