Sample Letter to Document a Problem or Request an IEP Meeting
by Pam and Pete Wright
Wrightslaw.com
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Parents: you can use this letter as a template for communications with the school. Simply change the facts and details to fit your situation.
[Insert Parent name, Address, Phone number]
Mary Parent
500 Oak Street
Centerville, IN 60010
(899) 555-1234
[Insert date]
May 15, 2020
[Insert Name and Address of School Contact Person]
Dr. Charles Noe
Stonewall Middle School
1000 Central Avenue
Centerville, IN 60010
[Insert Child's Name, DOB, School]
Reference: Jamie Spencer
DOB: 01/01/2006
Stonewall Middle School
[Insert name of Contact Person or "School IEP Team Members"]
Dear School Team Members,
Two days ago, I received a "Contingency Learning Plan" for my child in the mail. The letter said the CLP will allow Jamie to receive special education services while the school is closed.
I have concerns about this plan and request that my child's IEP team members address these concerns.
As you know, Jamie has learning disabilities, attention problems, mild cerebral palsy, and other neurological and developmental problems. He requires individualized special education services to meet his unique needs and circumstances.
Between my child's disabilities and the realities of our family's lives, the services proposed by the school will not meet his needs.
[Add details about this problem. For example, my child and I do not understand the assignments, the assignments are not modified, I cannot access the online instruction, the time for online instruction conflicts with my work schedule, my child is depressed and misses his teacher, we struggle with work refusal, my child is not getting speech therapy, or my child is not responding to virtual instruction.]
Before school closed, Jamie received services designed to meet his needs, including:
- a 1:1 classroom aide who helped him learn grade-level material
- three 30-minute sessions with the speech-language pathologist each week
- two 25-minute sessions with the occupational therapist each week
In the months since the school closed, Jamie received:
- packets of photocopied materials that are not related to his needs, instructional level, interests, or grade
- one 30-minute virtual session with the speech-language pathologist
- two emails from the occupational therapist with "suggested activities" for Jamie to complete
Jamie's teachers offered Zoom meetings. His dad and I work full time so it is impossible for us to participate in these meetings or supervise him. For a while, Jamie was trying. Since he hasn't received instruction that meets his needs, he is giving up on school and himself.
The school seems to assume that parents have the training, expertise, and TIME to educate their children with disabilities. Although we try to help Jamie, he is falling further and further behind. I am so disappointed in the school. I feel helpless in making sure Jamie gets the services he needs.
I cannot consent to this "Contingency Learning Plan" [or an amendment to my child's IEP] as proposed by the school. Any changes to the special education and related services in Jamie's IEP will have to be made in a meeting with his IEP team and me.
I am requesting an IEP meeting by video or phone.
I am requesting Extended School Year (ESY) services.
If we cannot agree on how to provide appropriate services to my child while the school remains closed, I request that we convene an IEP meeting within 30 days of the school re-opening to discuss compensatory educational services.
I look forward to working with the IEP team to develop a plan to address my child's unique needs and the educational losses he continues to experience. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mary Parent
Parent IEP Team Member
Created: 05/14/20
Revised: 00/00/00
