IEP Contract

[Rebellynn]

I need to know as much as possible about the IEP Contract, that involves school and grandparents.

[Hidden]

I'm going through this process right now. I would point you to wright'slaw.com and 2.ed.gov/parents. Here is my process so far. My daughter was diagnosed bipolar initially. She was hospitalized for a short period of time. Obviously, the school knew. After she was released I had a meeting initially with the school to discuss immediate issues. Then we had a meeting with everyone, including both school counselors, both of her teachers, the principal, the nurse and the school psychologist. I would detail all the things that the school has to do at this meeting, but suffice to say they cannot proceed with testing, etc without your consent. At that meeting we agreed that we needed to go further in the IEP process. The school has 60 days to do the testing and everything else necessary and have the next meeting. The school waited for the doctor I had hired to do the testing. That Doctor's diagnosis was ADHD inattentive type, anxiety, depression and a learning disability in math. I decided to put her on Ritalin and it has really helped her. Anyway, Once that report was in, which took place about a week and a half ago, they decide if they are going to do further testing. I was notified about a MAT meeting (multi agency meeting) last week. The school notified me that they were doing further testing which they did last week. My understanding of the MAT meeting is that everyone else I mentioned PLUS the special education teacher. In this meeting (at least in my school district) they decide whether the child is eligible under the IDEA (there are specific requirements). As far as they have told me (I am THAT MOM that writes emails every day and demands information) there will be a separate meeting where they present the IEP itself. Whew. Sorry, but I'm a frickin' lawyer and this confused me, so I don't want other people to be so confused.

[Hidden]

Also, I am assuming you have third party custody or guardianship?

[Onthemove1971]

Great resources. The best way to describe it is, a written agreement to provide, if your child qualifies, services with a Specialist who decides your child could benefit from special training or accommodation and or modification. Assessment ( takes 60 day from when you agree) drives goals on an IEP. Goals could be written in the area your child is weak in and needs special assistance with.

If an IEP is written, nothing can be added or changed without you. You are part of a team that focuses on helping your child become stronger academically and better in an educational environment.

Hope this helps..

[reg2018]

An IEP is similar to a 504 plan in that you can have modifications for your child in school, such as reduced homework, preferred seating by the teacher, more time for tests, the use of a calculator on math tests etc. But it differs from a 504 in the sense that an IEP sets goals for the child that the school has to track - to see how well the child is performing. For example, if a child is struggling with reading and the goal is to improve his reading score, a goal could be set on the IEP that the child will improve by 25% on reading scores, but then there has to be some specific things the child has to be doing during that time period to be working on that goal as well as helps from teachers/staff to make it happen.

The goals have to be specific and reachable.

Also, don't assume that the school staff are knowledgeable on whatever it is that your child/grandchild has which brings you to an IEP meeting in the first place. I make sure to kindly educate them on my child and do my best to help them see why it's important for him to have an IEP—what the IEP will do for him to help him be more successful academically and what they can do to make that happen.