18 Tips For Getting Quality
Special Education Services
For Your Child - page 2

The district must provide supplementary aids and services to accommodate the special
education needs of students with disabilities in integrated settings including; for example, a
trained aid, use of a tape recorder, an inclusion specialist to help the regular education
teacher modify curriculum or a behavioral plan to address disruptive behaviors.

All related services, such as speech therapy, should be identified including frequency and
duration, for example: twice a week for one hour. The parameters of the placement should
be stated clearly; for example, Karen will be fully included in second grade with a full time aid
and five hours a week of a full inclusion specialist or John will attend a special day class for
communicatively handicapped students with mainstreaming for science, chorus and all regular
school activities. You do not have the right to require the district to provide its services from
a particular persons in a particular classroom. Specific placement options should be,
however, discussed at the IEP.

You do not need to sign the IEP at the meeting -- you can take it home to discuss with
others and think about it. You can consent to only part of the IEP so those services you
agree with can begin. If you sign the IEP and later change your mind, you may withdraw
your consent by writing to the special education administrator. If you and the district disagree
on services, the last agreed upon IEP remains in effect while a due process hearing is held.
This is called "stay-put."

Parents have different amounts of time and money, analyze your situation and then
contact the teacher or school to determine how you could be of assistance. If you work
during the day you may be able to help prepare materials in the evening in your home. Not
only will you become more familiar with the school and its staff, but your child will feel
special.

Assist your child to call friends outside of school and to make play-dates. Having
friendships with non-disabled and disabled children will help your child be part of their
community.

You may want to arrange for a regular communication system with your child's teacher
such as a notebook which goes back and forth to school. Note projected target dates for
your child to master particular skills and ask the teacher to let you know of his progress.
Monitor that supplementary aids and services are actually provided.

A compliance complaint is filed when you believe the district has violated a part of special
education law or procedure. The complaint is investigated by the district or the state
Department of Education and a written determination of whether the district was/is "out-of-
compliance" is made. See Special Education Rights and Responsibilities, Chapter 6 for
details.

When you and the district disagree about your child's eligibility, placement, program
needs, integration or related services either of you may request a due process hearing. At
the hearing both parties present evidence to an independent hearing officer (hired by the
state). The hearing officer will decide on the facts and the law and issue a written decision.
See Special Education Rights and Responsibilities, Chapter 6 for details.