4 Reasons why inconsistent State Special Education Laws may be Harming Your Child's Education! By JoAnn Collins Key words: Autism, PDD, Asperger's, IDEA 2004, specific learning disability, SLD, IEE's at public expense, FAPE
Are you the parent of a child with Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or Asperger's that is having a dispute with your school district? Are you concerned about your States special education laws, and whether they are in compliance with IDEA 2004 (federal SEND Teaching Jobs Birmingham special education law)? Many states seem to have special education laws that are inconsistent with federal special education laws. This article will discuss why these inconsistent State laws may be harming your child's education.
1. Some school districts are using State laws to deny children eligibility for special education. For example: In Maine the State laws require that children suspected of having a specific learning disability (SLD) must score 1.5 standard deviations below the mean in two or more areas of psychological processing, but cannot be more than 1.5 standard deviations below the mean (mean is average). In OSEP policy letter to Hugo OSEP states that this is inconsistent with federal special education law because it may result in children with SLD not being properly identified. A child not receiving needed special education and related services could negatively affect the child's education and future adult life!
2. Some school districts are using State laws to deny children needed ESY services. For example: In New York their State laws say that in order for a child to be provided ESY services they must have substantial regression (with a long recoupment period). They also state that a child needs to be in self-contained placements, have severe multiple disabilities, or be in home and hospital placement. This is inconsistent with IDEA 2004 which states that ESY services must be determined on an individual basis, and given if a child needs the services so that they can receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
3. Some school districts are preventing parents from "obtaining" IEE's at public expense by using State laws requiring "pre-notification" or "requesting" of the IEE. IDEA 2004 (federal special education law) states that parents have the right to "obtain" an IEE at public expense when they disagree with a school evaluation. Some States laws are taking out the word "obtain" and putting in the words "request" or "pre-notify." For Example: In my State of Illinois the regulations state that parents "must request" an IEE at public expense rather than parents "have the right to obtain" the evaluation. This may prevent you from determining what your child's disabilities are and what services your child needs for FAPE
4. Some school districts are using State laws to deny parents "meaningful participation" in all aspects of their child's education. For example: In Maine their State law requires parents to submit written statements of concern at least three days before a scheduled IEP meeting. In OSEP policy letter to Breton OSEP states, "However, the IDEA does not permit a public agency to SEND Teaching Jobs Birmingham establish criteria for parental participation in an IEP meeting. Therefore, we maintain that it would be inconsistent with... IDEA for a local educational agency to adopt a blanket policy requiring parents to provide a written copy of their concerns to the IEP team three days before the meeting in order to have their concerns addressed in that meeting."