Donna you are so right! Don't Sign....and even if you did they are suppose to meet again if things are wrong. It's just that the One a year IEP is a law, if 10 meetings are needed they are to do that also but that doesn't usually happen. We had 3 last year and thats rare! The system is bogged down big time. I sure wish there was someone to go with you. Just Hang tough, Donna's right, when they find out you mean business and won't be pushed around they'll be left with no choice but to do the right thing. So many parents are overwhelmed by all this and some just don't care. The district here has a respect for our family that suprised me. We didn't give up just like your not and eventually they worked with us. Please let us know how it goes. Wish we were closer, I would surely just sit there and try and look like I knew what was going on to support you and your son. A good move might be to pass out a copy of the Child Rights and Laws to everyone in the meeting (make the secretary copy them )! Good luck and we'll be thinking of you! Lori T

If you can even find a good friend that can go with you take them.

I am a parent advocate and I go with lots of parents. But I also
tell my parents that its very amazing how many of your friends when
you ask them would be more than glad to go to that meeting with
you.

They may not understand all that is going on. But they sure do understand
a couple of things.

1. That if it were their child they wouldn't settle for less than the best.
(Or at least what the student thinks they need. In your case your son
isn't asking for that much)

2. Get ahold of the state department of educations, Dept. of Special
Education. Ask them ahead of time, if they have ever heard of a school
allowing a student to go to both the regular school and the alternative.
Explaining the reason for needing both.

A. If they believe its possible, and are going to be in their office at
the time of the meeting. Ask if its okay to call the office and have
a phone conference or clarification to this question.

B. Sometimes even they can make arrangements for someone to
make sure that its available so that you can have this information for
the meeting.


I can totally tell you that the more you go in there determinded to get
exactly what your son or daughter wants or needs. Don't demand the
very best, but just what they need. You will get respect.

Donna

As I was dealing with these people today, even though I have before, these people really are trying to make accomodations. I think he has a good schedule. We talked about last year having some teachers that were not making allowances for my son's needs under his IEP and instead of my son letting someone know he was just becoming defiant, angry and frustrated. Wouldn't do the work, regularly found excuses to miss the class by doing things like sitting in the office waiting to talk to his very busy counselor (on purpose he would sit there forever). This time after I brought it up he was told if he has any problem with a teacher not following the IEP then he is to go tell someone. Fortunately the two principals this year have been promoted and the jerk from last year was promoted out. My son likes them and it is mutual.

I think they are trying hard to accommodate him while at the same time stay within the districts rules. IT is just a matter of getting a stressed, tired, angry, depressed, hormonal teen to care enough, and to understand that we are all trying here.

I actually unloaded on him one day after he started yelling about forget it he wasn't going back to that school and it was stupid, he just wanted to quit and get his GED. I started crying and told him fine, then I can quit, I don't have to do this anymore. If he isn't going to make the effort then I am not going to make the effort. I was doing all of this for him.

I hadn't meant to unload on him but he was being a jerk, a demanding, the world owes me everything, surly teenager and I had had enough. He stormed out but came back a short time later and apologized.

I asked at the IEP what happens if it doesn't work out and they said that we can meet again no problem. I really do believe this can work if the kid makes the effort. HE is so tired. I will be glad when this is all over for him.

You are also within your legal right to request that a speaker phone be made available during the IEP meeting for anyone advocating for your child that is not available to be there in person. I have appeared with numerous family's this way. (you can also have your child's doctor, counselor, or anyone you feel appropriate participate in this way)