It has probably been a while since you sat down and reviewed your child's IEP. As an important member of your child's IEP team, it is critical that you understand and agree with your child's individualized educational program. If you don't understand the IEP, how will know if it is being followed or needs to be changed?
Parents' Summer Reading List
Attending IEP Team Meetings: A Student’s Perspective
Attending IEP Team Meetings: A Student’s Perspective
Just because your child receives testing accommodations on their IEP doesn't mean your child will receive accommodations for the PSAT, SAT, AP Tests, or ACTs. Most colleges and universities require some of these tests, so it is very important that your child's scores accurately reflect their potential.
New IEP Law in Maryland
Summer is Coming - Are You Ready?
Special Education Compliance - How Does Your District Measure Up?
Every six years the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education investigates Districts' compliance with education regulations, including federal and state special education law. Districts receive ""Commendable," "Implemented" (meaning at least substantially implemented), "Partially Implemented," "Not Implemented" (meaning at least substantially not implemented), and "Not Applicable" ratings for each compliance criterion.
Parenting Magazine's Advice on Paying for Private School Placement
I recently came across this article in my copy of Parenting magazine. While I applaud the magazine for addressing learning disabilities, I was disappointed with the advice. In the article, a mother of a child with learning disabilities asked the magazine financial expert, "My son has been diagnosed with learning disorders. A special school could help him -- but it costs $7,000 a year. That's about what we have budgeted for savings and chipping away at our debt. Should we do it?" While the expert did indicate that public funding for the school may be available, that was not the main focus of her answer.
Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder
Check out this great New York times article and video about APD and Rosie O'Donnell's personal experience with her son's disorder. It is inspiring to hear that with proper diagnosis and intervention children with this challenge can make such amazing progress.
Hearing Decision - Child Entitled to Return to General Education Setting
Case summary: School district indefinitely suspended Student with a disability, alleging Student had inappropriately touched others, attempting to give them "wedgies." School proposed a substantially separate placement. Attorney Wong, on behalf of Parents, argued for Student's return to the general education setting with a comprehensive behavior plan in place. Hearing Officer agreed with Parents that the general education classroom was the least restrictive environment and ordered that Student be allowed to return to his regular education classroom.