Shareese: What is the Federal law that allows me to communicate either by phone or email with my son’s teachers?
Parent Rights: PARENT COMMUNICATION WITH TEACHERS
Special Education Law and Advocacy
What do you do when communication just stops abruptly? My son has a different placement for now due to behaviors. Teachers and staff that would normally communicate with me or respond to my emails are not responding. There’s been no communication as to why. We are having a meeting but I am confused by the sudden drop in response to emails. I was not rude or disrespectful in my last email about classes. It doesn’t help that I work in the same district. Any advice is appreciated!
Thia, I suggest writing to the principal, and district special education director about this.
Chuck, I am confused why it doesn’t guarantee communication with a specific staff when ESSA emphasizes the importance of parent-teacher communication?
Thank you.
Ioana, ESSA does recognize the importance of parent-teacher communication. ESSA only covers campuses receiving Title 1 funds. While this should be the standard for all campuses, administrators tend to be more concerned with keeping staff happy, than parents. Parents can try communicating thru letters, and emails, and document problems that happen because of lack of communication. Courts have ruled that a campus having one person for a parent to communicate with is an acceptable alternative.
Please help. My child has Asperger’s and needs a lot of help. Teacher is making his life difficult. She does not include him or make him feel like part of the class. She ridicules him and will not follow his IEP. I emailed her asking to meet with her to go over his IEP. She replied that I was to not contact her again. Principal also emailed me saying that they would have me arrested and charged with harassment. How do I help my child.
If you have not done so, you can write the district director of special education, &/or their boss. You can also make a complaint to the state education agency. Your state parent training and information center can assist you about your options. https://www.parentcenterhub.org/find-your-center/
Schools must allow parents to communicate with the school & communicate their concerns, however, this does not guarantee communication with specific staff. You need to look to your state’s laws & regulations on this. It is not uncommon for schools to try to make “difficult parents” communicate with just one staff member.