need wisodm-here we go again!!

[Babbs]

Your signature is needed? Hmm sounds like an initial IEP.

The only IEP that a SD is required to get a parent signature on is the INITIAL IEP in order to implement and initiate special education services. All other IEPs that have a "signature" read the statement carefully - you are signing that you attended the meeting. That's it. Nothing more. If you don't agree with the IEP you need to write a letter to the powers that be that you are rejecting their IEP and that begins a due process proceedure. If you ever want to see an IEP team sit up in their chairs and jump, watch one that's just had a rejection letter dropped on them at the end of the IEP meeting.

[Martie]

I know it is difficult to work in groups, but if you sit down with one person and "write it," it is not a legally constituted IEP and will not hold up if you have to force the issue. I think that Child Study Team meetings and IEP meetings should be separate for the reason you state: time always runs out.

It used to be true that once you signed an initial IEP, you were sunk: no further consent was needed. Under IDEA 2004, however, you may withdraw consent and the school must still enroll your child. This brings IDEA into line with generally accepted civil law, but if you withdraw consent, then protections against suspension and expulsion are lost (as well as any special education services).

Martie

[klmno]

We had another IEP meeting yesterday- much to my surprise, they had a social worker and school psych there. The team agreed to include more in the IEP than just monitoring behavior, then asked my permission for the school psych to do her own evaluation of gfg (observation, interview of him, etc.). I told them I would think about it. It could be beneficial but it makes me a little worried because 1) this person is an "Educational Specialist", not really a psych or pdoc, 2) they have been trying to cover their a---s since they know I spoke w/ an attny and she could just say that she sees no mental/emotional disability, 3) if the lithium is working, how can she determine a dx opinion? 4) what if she tries to dispute pdocs dx (who has been seeing gfg for over 18 mos and monitored him for about 8 weeks this summer after taking him off all meds)

They did have me sign the notice of the meeting, but they've always had me sign an agreement/permission form to implement the IEP any time it has been reviewed and modified, too. So far, any time I haven't signed that agreement, they held another IEP meeting to discuss my concerns with it and they've pretty much given in to what I want- albeit not completely but enough for me to agree.

[Martie]

An Ed.S. degree is pretty typical academic preparation for a school psychologist. If you do not allow the school to evaluate your gfg, then they will not be able to determine what services are needed. You have a right to continue to believe that your outside evaluations are correct and the school district has an obligation and duty to consider your outside evaluations. A good school psychologist will note what medications a child is receiving at the time of testing or observation. If this is omitted, you can call it to the school psychologists attention, who IMO should be embarrassed.

To qualify for an IEP, a student must have a negative educational or emotional/behavioral impact. The way the law is written, it is the job of the school psychologist to collect and coordinate large parts of the information that demonstrate negative impact or lack thereof. I think your most realistic fear is that the school district might try to use the evaluation to demonstrate no negative impact. However, this is really a Catch 22, because you need the evaluation to demonstrate negative impact and what services are needed. Like everything else in special education, the law expects parents to consent, but the outcome for parents who monitor what is going on is consistently better than for parents who assume "the school district knows what it's doing and has my child's best interest at heart." if I were you I would let the school district to evaluate but that is just my .02.

Martie

[klmno]

Thanks, Martie! After sleeping on it, I think I'll email the school psych, with a copy to the case manager and principal, and consent, and support, her evaluation and opinion regarding the school component of gfg's issues; but try to tactfully make it clear that dx and overall treatment plan are going to stay in the ballpark of the other professionals we're seeing. Of course, the other professionals should review her opinions, too.