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If you disagree with the IEP, the law provides a process for resolving differences. You may schedule another meeting. You may seek
mediation, ask for a due process hearing, or file a formal complaint with the Florida Department of Education. You may also contact a
Special Education attorney.
RESOURCES
ESE Services
Florida Department of Education
Bureau of Instructional Support
and Community Services
ESE 311424 2002
US Department of Education
National Information Center for Children and Youth with
Disabilities
A Parents Perspective
An IEP (Individual Education Plan) is one of the most valuable assets you can have for your special needs child during school years. The
IEP is what measures your child's progress and can legally hold the school accountable.
*You DO NOT have to sign your IEP* if you don't agree with it!
You can have your meeting and get a copy of your IEP, (no charge) take it home for review. If need be you may take it to your Doctors,
therapist, and whom ever else you feel might need to see it. However, you should also be respectful of the school and do this in a timely
manner. If you have any concerns or changes make sure to tell school staff you want another meeting to discuss the changes before you
will sign. Remember, if you prolong this your child could loose service's
until the IEP is signed.
We have found most schools do comply to the IDEA plan without any problems. However, the things I have personally come across is the
unwillingness to follow through on the IEP. If this occurs I recommend having a meeting with the school. Make sure the director or
Principal is there. Write down everything that was discussed as well as what actions will be taken. Ask the team to sign it. If they won't
don't make a fuss. It just lets them know you are serious and you're not going to "just go away." While I don't think it is binding in a court
of law
(remember we are not attorneys!) Keep all your notes! This is helpful if you ever do have to hire an attorney.
Remember you are the parent. You know what is best for your child. You know what your child needs to work on & the goals
you have set for them. Asking questions is a good thing. Don't just assume that the IEP team knows everything. They don't &
in fact I'm willing to bet they don't have a child with Special Needs!
As always if you have any questions or need help please
contact us! This is why we are here!
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IEP
Individual Educational Plan
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Did you know....
An IEP is a binding agreement.
You can list your own goals for
your child!
An IEP is to help your child. Not
label him.
Parents have to be involved with
the IEP process in order for your
child to be a success.
The IEP
Every child with a disability who is eligible for exceptional student
education(ESE) will have an individual educational
plan (IEP). An IEP is a written plan for the special education of a child with
a disability. The IEP describes what the child can already do and what the
child needs to learn in order to reach his or her goals.
The IEP also identifies the kinds of help the child needs in
order to Learn such as speech, PT, and OT. Your child's IEP
will be written by a team of people at an IEP meeting.
The IEP team with the parent will decide which special
services and supports your child needs in order to make
progress.
Remember....
The IEP is written for your child only.
The IEP is a plan for up to 12 months of your child's education.
The parent can request items for the IEP.
The IEP must be updated every twelve months. You can ask
for an IEP meeting any time you feel progress is not being
made or you feel new goals need to be made.
What Happens Next?
After the IEP has been written, you will be asked to give
written consent for your child to receive ESE services. If you
give your consent, the school will begin implementing the IEP
by providing specially designed instruction and services. Make
sure that all the plans are being carried out and that your
child is making progress.
Continue to look over your child's school work, keep in touch
with your child's teachers, and visit your child's class. (Call the
school first.)
Interested in the current rankings of Florida or other states?
IDEA 2004 Stats are out.
IDEA DATA
In 1992-1993 school year Florida had 582 children
ages 6-21 served under the IDEA plan.
2004 6,902 students ages 6-21 were served under
IDEA.That's an increase of 1,086%!
Current number of children in Florida with
Autism under IDEA ages 3-21 8,293
based on the latest numbers available (2004) from
OSEP.
Those numbers do not include home schooled, or
adults with autism. If you think for a minute we don't
have a problem in Florida your wrong!
** Did you know that the state of Florida Department
of Education DOES NOT count children with
Aspergers or PDD-NOS diagnosis.**
What this means is Florida does not (as well as other
states) have an accurate count of the Autism
Spectrum Disorder numbers. Per the DOE they hope
to start including these children in their "counts" in
order to have a more accurate number by spring of
2006.
We are increasing the amount of children with ASD,
but the amount of services is not increasing.
National Early Childhood TA Center
(Source: US Office of Special Education Programs)
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