Wrightslaw

In this issue, we describe strategies to fight mandatory retention and other damaging policies; learn about mistakes parents and schools make and teach you the "rules of the game;" how to start a FETA study group; how to use flyers to educate others; and provide a side-by-side analysis of proposed changes to the IDEA.

Online version of newsletter: https://www.wrightslaw.com/nltr/03/nl.0404.htm

The Special Ed Advocate is free - please forward this issue or the subscription link to your friends and colleagues so they can learn about special education law and advocacy too. Thanks!

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Good special education services are individualized, intensive and expensive. Schools often balk at providing intensive services. What can you do?

You need accurate information about your child's educational needs and legal rights. You need to use use tactics and strategies to anticipate problems, manage conflict, and avoid crises.

In "10 Strategies to Fight Mandatory Retention & Other Damaging Policies," research editor Sue Heath shows you how to find answers to questions in the law and describes strategies you can use to fight damaging policies. You can adapt these strategies to many other school obstacles and problems.

"Do not assume that the interpretations and advice offered by people who plan to retain your child are correct. Parents and teachers often rely on what other people tell them. In many cases, the people who are dispensing this advice have not read the law either."

"Parents need to know what the statute says about mandatory retention. Parents who read the statute about mandatory retention will have ammunition to fight this policy."

Read "10 Strategies to Fight Mandatory Retention & Other Damaging Policies"

https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/retain.strategies.heath.htm

Learn about retention and social promotion: https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/retain.index.htm

Learn about advocacy: https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/advo.index.htm

Topics from A to Z: https://www.wrightslaw.com/topics.htm

When you learn the rules of the game, you will be a more effective advocate and negotiator for your child. You need to learn about gatekeepers, special education teams, and one-size-fits-all (OSFA) programs. This article by Indiana advocate Pat Howey will get you on the right track -

http://www.fetaweb.com/02/rules.howey.htm

Learn About the School

The mission of public schools is to provide students with a standardized education. Standardized educational programs are not individualized, nor are they designed to meet the unique needs of the child with a disability. Read "Learning About the School" -

http://www.fetaweb.com/02/about.schools.htm

Advocacy 101

If you want to be a more effective advocate for kids, check the articles and resources on the Advocacy 101 page:

http://www.fetaweb.com/101.htm

Massachusetts attorney Bob Crabtree writes about the "Mistakes People Make."

Mistakes Parents Make

Because the stakes are so high, it is difficult for parents of children with special educational needs to advocate calmly and objectively for the educational and related services their children need. Read this article to learn about the mistakes parents make.

http://www.fetaweb.com/02/mistakes.parents.crabtree.htm

Mistakes School Districts Make

Anything a school system does that undermines parents' trust creates a climate that is costly in dollars, time, peace of mind, and the quality and success of services given to the child. This article describes the most common mistakes school systems make.

http://www.fetaweb.com/02/mistakes.school.crabtree.htm