Long story short I recently moved to a new state and my dd (just starting 6th grade, middle school) had an iep since 1st grade. Her teachers from our last school worked really really hard with her and actually cried during our final iep meeting last year. They were really worried that she might "test out" and that all their hard work would be lost so they suggested I waive the retesting for a year so she could adjust to her new school and keep her services. I just went to her initial iep meeting at the new school and they highly recommend testing. They feel that she is above what the reports indicate. They feel she doesn't need services. What do I do? please feel free to ask as many questions as you need to... I will answer as best as I can.
What services does your daughter receive? And what diagnosis is your daughter's iep for? Is it possible to test at the end of the year, to see how she's adjusted, and acclimated to her new school? I feel that that might be a good compromise. Still in this school year, while yet, giving her enough time to gauge how she is doing.
Post by EmilieMadison on Sept 12, 2012 18:12:01 GMT -5
I'm a teacher, but not special ed. Since you didnt give details about the background of your DDs IEP and the reasons that necessitated it, I'm just going to give a general response. Isn't it entirely possible that your DD *has* come so far with her wonderful team that she truly isnt in need of services any longer? Also what is the procedure for re-instating services after a student has previously been identified as no longer needing an IEP? From my understanding, if she struggles to the point of needing help again, then she would re-qualify, right? I'm sorry you have to deal with these decisions.
Do you know when her MDT is due? If she is up for re-evaluation, as in it's been 3 years since her last eval, then I think the testing will be beneficial, especially if they are writing a new IEP. Like emiliemadison said, if you feel like she is struggling, you can always request that she is tested again later.
She has a generalized learning disability. Her test scores were not consistant with her age. She has short term memory issues. Her reading level was third grade at the end of fifth grade. They never gave me a term I could google so I never really understood it. She has no behavior issues. She is super motivated and does all her homework and studying with no complaints, usually before I even ask. From what I see she just has a tough time following directions and a tough time reading and hence spelling and writing... She gets lost easy - a trip to the bathroom can put her in a panic if it is more than two turns away. I have no problem testing her out if that is what happens but my last child study team seemed so very concerned that she would regress terribly and that she would have a hard time getting services again until it would be a struggle to get back on course...
She was due to be retested in May - her child study team recommended that I waive it to give her some room in her new school. They (and I ) think she can test out this next May but they didn't want her to regress with all the changes if she tested out prior. Does that even make sense?
What are your choices right now? Can you just say that you would like her treatment to remain in place, or are they insisting that she be re-tested.
If you have the ability to keep her services in place, I think you should do so. The extra help is never going to hurt her. Also, if you are unclear about her reading ability, you need to find out exactly where she stands. You wouldn't want to just go with what they are telling you if your DD really still needs extra help with reading. I have a child on the autism specrtum and although the services are decent in this area, there were moments when I have found my self in a battle with the school district. I have found that it is much easier to decline services you already have than to re-establish services so if you are not 100% sure about cutting the special ed, leave it in place for now.
She was due to be retested in May - her child study team recommended that I waive it to give her some room in her new school. They (and I ) think she can test out this next May but they didn't want her to regress with all the changes if she tested out prior. Does that even make sense?
Yes, this makes sense. Hold off on the testing a long as you can. I think it is a very good idea to let her adjust in her new school.
Thanks Bab!! i think the same thing. I am not sure if I was clear though. I will probably dd this next part because it gives away some personal info but: Her last child study team in NJ said to waive the testing so she could have as many services as she could get when we moved. They alluded that her new school may try and cut her services and that I should try and wait until at least May to retest so she can get as much benefit as she can. Now that we are in PA my dd has only been in school a week and they called a meeting today and suggested that she is above her reported reading level and that she doesn't really "need" services. They gave me three line items they are willing to do as oppossed to the 7 page report that her previous school provided. The worse part is they couldn't even look me in the eye. not one of them... Give me a minute and I'll go grab the paper to write the things they are willing to do without a re-eval. Just to be 100 percent clear I don't hate them - don't get me wrong. I know my last town had $$ out the a$$ for education and small schools. This town is HUGE and I am sure these poor teachers have their hands full
Post by chickenlittle on Sept 12, 2012 18:53:23 GMT -5
Depending on the state you live in, you can't put off the testing. In my state, we're required to do a complete re-evaluation when a student moves in from out of state within 60 days of their enrollment or first day of school to determine if they meet eligibility requirements in our state.
I also find that with a lot of kids that made good progress in 4th grade and look like they might test out, that often isn't the case because the academic expectations and rigor in 5th and 6th grade increases quite a bit.
Post by wildfloweragain on Sept 12, 2012 20:32:37 GMT -5
What Kirkette said about keeping services in place while she adjusts to new setting. This has been asked successfully in my school ( in NY State.)
I think it is likely they are trying to give her less due to budget. I have to fight to get my kids everything they need (students.) Often the head of special ed is told to keep sped at a certain percentage, and to declassify as many kids as they can bc it is cheaper. I don't think it is as bad as a few years ago, but it has gone on.
Fight to keep what you have because it is harder to get it back, and a lot of time is lost in the process.
Depending on the state you live in, you can't put off the testing. In my state, we're required to do a complete re-evaluation when a student moves in from out of state within 60 days of their enrollment or first day of school to determine if they meet eligibility requirements in our state.
I also find that with a lot of kids that made good progress in 4th grade and look like they might test out, that often isn't the case because the academic expectations and rigor in 5th and 6th grade increases quite a bit.
Delurking because this is important. This is not legal advice.
I agree with the poster above. We have 30 days to review new student's cases. I would not put off testing because it will put the case out of compliance. I generally don't recommend parents waiving their right to anything because things could come up. At the very least, can you opt for a record review instead of full pyschoeduational testing?
If you have to play hardball ... When you get to the IEP, if they try to strip services, hold your ground. You can explain that since your child is in a transition year, it is imperative that her services stay in place because she will be adjusting to a new setting regardless of if she tests well or not. You may get push back, but don't budge. If the team should hear your concerns. If they don't, I know in CA you have the right to ask for an outside assessment to be conducted at the district's expense. Districts don't like to part with money, so they will probably give you your services instead of wanting to pay for the outside assessment. GL!
Thank you so much! This is exactly the info i was looking for. I will sign the form for retesting tomorrow. I just wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing. Glad that the simple act of a retest wont nec strip her of any services. Thank you for coming out of lurking - I really appreciate it.
Kirkette and Wildfloweragain - from my very poor explaination of what I understand of her disabilities do you have any idea what I could google to understand her ld?
Her last school was so amazing I just trusted all of their recommendations and never really had to be "advocate" since they were so generous with more help than I ever hoped. (I wish I never moved - they were wonderful) But now I am trying to educate myself and I am at a loss... Any good reading or website recs? Thanks again!!