April 29, 2008 3:58 PM
What about "draft" IEPs?
those of you with kids with IEPs really need to subscribe to the free newsletter from Wrightslaw, which contains helpful information like this:
Can the IEP Team Prepare a "Draft IEP" Before an IEP Meeting?Yes . . .
Sharing information leads to healthier working relationships between parents and school personnel - and better IEPs for children. Shared information may include draft IEPs, evaluations, written reports, and parent agendas prepared by the parents.
But . . .
"It is not permissible for an agency to have the final IEP completed before an IEP Team meeting begins." (Commentary, FR page 46678)
Draft IEPs are only "drafts", they are not set in stone. In order not to limit parental input, IEP teams should use draft IEPs with caution.
When the school presents parents with a "draft IEP," most parents will assume that school members of the IEP team are not interested in their concerns and input about their child. Under these circumstances, you would probably feel the same way.
In Can the IEP Team Prepare a "Draft IEP" Before an IEP Meeting?, advocate Pat Howey explains precautions that should be taken if they use a draft IEP.
While IDEA 2004 discourages the use of "draft" IEPs, the Commentary to the Federal Regulations encourages school staff and parents to come to the IEP meetings prepared to discuss findings of evaluations, concerns about progress, and to make recommendations.
Tip for school members of IEP teams: If you plan to use a "draft IEP," provide the parents with a copy of this document well in advance of the IEP meeting.
Wrightslaw was founded by Pete Wright, a father of a child with a learning disability and an attorney who has tried to make the maze of federal regulation understandable for parents like us. I attended one of his seminars last fall and gained so much from it - though there is so much to learn I would probably learn more if I went back a few more times.
Take it from someone who trusted the system until we hit a bad teacher and the system went on the defensive rather than helping my children (who have all moved on to better teachers - but with LOTS of hard work by advocates including mom) - no matter how good your situation is, with 12 years of school ahead, your child is likely to hit a bump somewhere too. then it will be helpful to already be prepared to deal with it rather than playing catch-up as I had to.
Click the Wrightslaw logo below for access to more information, to subscribe to their newsletter, to buy their books or to see if they are giving a seminar near you soon.
You can also purchase the books from Amazon:
Click on the images to learn more about the books, to find used copies for less, and for a special Amazon price if you buy both of them.
Posted in Loudoun County, Public schools, Special education | Permalink
