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Perspectives For Parents:
Advice & Support from Parents & Caregivers
Does My Child Qualify for Special Education Services?
April 2, 2019
States have their own processes for figuring out how to access special education. In Massachusetts and Louisiana, an evaluation and eligibility meeting will help decide if your child is eligible. Depending on what kind of support your child needs, the school will work with you to create either an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504…
Read moreWhat is Disproportionality in Special Education?
January 23, 2019
Disproportionality is the term used to describe the overrepresentation of a minority group in special education programs. The backdrop to the IEP meetings, consent forms, and evaluations is a law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This law sets forth the rights of students with disabilities in the public education system in…
Read moreTracking Your Child’s Progress in 2019
January 9, 2019
The new year is a good time to check in on your child’s progress and see how they’ve been doing over the past few months.Take a look at these tips we have shared in the past to make sure you stay organized and prepared as you track your child’s improvements against their goals in…
Read moreSpecial Education Placements for My Child
January 4, 2019
The winter break from school can be a time to observe and experience our children in a new way. There are probably times of overstimulation or exhaustion. There are hopefully moments of quiet connection or discovery of something new. As we send our students back to the classroom (good luck, teachers!), this mid-year moment is…
Read moreWhat information goes into an IEP?
November 27, 2018
Knowing how to fill in each section of an IEP can be confusing. We’ve broken it down to help you understand how to write things like a vision statement or to identify measurable goals. Remember, an IEP is a document that the parent and school create together. The form may vary between states, but…
Read moreMeet Your Child’s IEP Team
August 21, 2018
Who will be sitting around the table at your child’s IEP team meeting? We've created this list to help you know who to expect to see as you head into your first IEP meetings of the year.Under federal law, the IEP team must consist of: A general education teacher who works with the studentA…
Read moreWho Can I Bring to an IEP Meeting?
July 25, 2018
Showing up for an IEP meeting at your child’s school can feel intimidating, especially if you are the only person at the table who isn’t part of the school staff. Keep in mind that as the parent, you are an important part of the IEP team and you are also an expert in your…
Read more3 Tips for Tracking Your Child’s Progress at School
April 20, 2018
Tracking your child’s improvement against his goals involves comparing old and new documents, as well as understanding the reports you receive from the teacher and school. Here are some tips to keep organized and prepared. 1. Organize your child’s progress reportsIn many states, the school district must send parents or guardians written progress reports…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: What are my rights regarding school placement?
March 21, 2018
"Can the school district force my child into a new placement because we requested a certain accommodation such as a one-to-one aide?"As with all of our Ask the Attorney posts, we acknowledge that every situation is unique based on the student and school district, though there is some general advice we can share on…
Read more5 Tips to Prepare For Your IEP Meeting
February 9, 2018
Have you recently started the special education process? Do you have a meeting with the school coming up? We’ve compiled tips on how to stay organized, with some added Parent Pointers from ELI’s Julie McIsaac. (You can find the pointers in italics after each section!) Create an IEP binderWherever you are in the process,…
Read moreRecent Happenings in Disability News: What You Need to Know.
December 13, 2017
Having a hard time staying on top of it all? Take a look at these three highlights to catch up on the past few weeks: 1. U.S. Department of Education (ED) releases document about IEPs and progressRemember the Endrew F. case I wrote about here? We now have more information about how the federal…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: What is the RISE Act and How Can It Help My College-Aged Student?
December 5, 2017
The Respond, Innovate, Succeed Empower (“RISE”) Act is a piece of legislation that, if it becomes law, will make college more accessible for students with disabilities, especially those who have learning and attention issues such as dyslexia or ADHD.Often, students with disabilities who receive support from their local school districts are forced to undergo…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: What Happens to My Child’s Special Education Rights in a Private School?
November 11, 2017
I’m glad you brought this up. There are several layers to this question in terms of both your rights and your child’s rights under the special education law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The BasicsLet’s start with the fundamentals. Overall, there are two categories of schools: public and non-public. A public…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: Five Rights Parents of Children with Disabilities Need to Know
November 10, 2017
I’ve heard I have some rights as a parent who has a child with disabilities, in addition to my child’s rights. Can you tell me about these parental rights?The federal law which mandates all children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate education (FAPE) also includes a host of rights for you – the…
Read moreMy Child Has an IEP, What Are Next Steps?
November 1, 2017
Now that you have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for your child, which puts services and supports in place to help meet their needs in the classroom, what happens next? Once signed, your child's IEP becomes a legal contract between you and the school. And it's time to take next steps. So, what are the next steps?Your child's…
Read moreShared Expectations: How to Identify Measurable IEP Goals
November 1, 2017
My child is complex. I don’t mean only in terms of his physical or cognitive function. I mean in terms of his humanity. He is complex because he is a human and we are complex. We have moods, motivations and preferences that guide our behavior. We have family, friends, and community that affect our development.…
Read morePreparing a Vision and Goals for Your Child’s IEP
October 3, 2017
Now that you've determined your child qualifies for special education services, first and foremost pat yourself on the back! You've taken a huge step toward getting the services and support your child needs in the classroom, and that is no small task! You're opening doors to his or her future success in school and that is awesome.…
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When and How to Start Thinking About an IEP
October 3, 2017
Do you remember the first time you went in for a screening or assessment? You leave with notes and pamphlets, trying to remember the details but recalling only a few words? Do you remember trying to make sense of the jargon, knowing you had so much to learn, so much to do? But you need to…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: What Special Education Placements are Available for My Child?
September 20, 2017
There is a continuum of placement options available for your child. To recap, the spirit of the IDEA law is that the school places your child in the least restrictive environment (LRE), such as a classroom alongside children who do not have disabilities.Take a look at this graphic for an idea of your options,…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: How Do I Know if My Child is Really in the Least Restrictive Environment?
September 20, 2017
The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) provision of law requires that students with disabilities receive their education alongside students without disabilities “to the maximum extent appropriate,” which is somewhat vague. This means that a student’s default placement should be in the general education classroom, often with various supports and services. Students should only be removed…
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