Missouri IEP meetings where parents hear double-talk

Parents now report school staff ask  intimidating questions to redirect parents away from the topic of services that our children need. “Don’t you want your child to be independent?” is a common question parents are asked.

Within the last four years I have noticed the supports (paraprofessionals) that were a given for many students with inappropriate behaviors are no longer mentioned to parents. These districts are placing the overwhelming task on a classroom teacher of up to 30 students.  Unrealistic to all!

Uninformed and inexperienced parents don’t realize their child is missing basic support services while at public school. This results in suspensions that are unnecessary and could usually be avoided.

Advocates at Special Education Parent’s Advocacy Link LLC dba  IEP Center™ supports parents with these civil rights’ concerns in public schools.

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Special Education Parent’s Advocacy Link LLC dba The IEP Center™ advocates are not attorneys and do not give legal advice.  We do not represent children or parents. We have special knowledge of the struggles of children with disabilities.  Contact an attorney.

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©2016-2022  Special Education Parent’s Advocacy Link LLC

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Fixing IEP problems at public school in Missouri?

Student in IEP meeting? Missouri Kansas

Often meetings at the school to develop educational plans for special needs’ students involve discussions that may be hurtful for the child.   Not knowing that this may occur, a student in the meeting can make for an awkward position for the child.

Students who do not have the capacity to advocate for themselves may feel emotionally beaten. Other students may not understand the power dynamic in these meetings and withdraw. The adults in the room may use the opportunity to “motivate” the child to “work harder” or “apply yourself”.  Examine the motivation of a school that insists a student be present in multiple school meetings; if it’s just a control or power issue, it’s okay to say that the student wasn’t invited. There are a few exceptions to when a student must be present (planning for life after high school (aka “transition”), if the student is already age 18, etc.

It is a risky scenario to have a child in IEP or 504 meetings. Advocates at The IEP Center™ know strategies parents can use to avoid these scenarios. Contact us for more information.

In lieu of the student present in the school meeting, a parent could observe the classroom prior to the meeting.

Advocates at The IEP Center™ help parents solve IEP problems by providing information so they can advocate for the child with special needs.  Don’t be bamboozled!  Waiting and hoping for problems to go away allows our children to regress.  Hoping the problem will go away will only delay getting the problem addressed.

Never go alone to an IEP meeting; our advocates are available!

sign up for ezine:  bit.ly/IEPezine

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Contact an advocate below:

Name(required)

Email(required)

age of child/disability

struggles at the school(required)

Upcoming meeting at the school in five days?

If child not attending school, why?

Parent phone numbers

Best time for advocate to call you

Submit

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Special Education Parent’s Advocacy Link LLC dba The IEP Center™ provides information to parents regarding the problems of children with disabilities.  We are not attorneys and do not give advice.  We do not represent parents or children.  Consult an attorney.

We help parents at low-cost.  We help parents prepare for school meetings and also go to mediation and IEP meetings with parents.  Go to our website to set a telephone consult.

©2015 Special Education Parent’s Advocacy Link LLC dba The IEP Center™

IEP meeting: Okay to not agree in Missouri IEP meeting

IEP meetings can be frustrating; for both parents and teachers.  However, the information acquired from school staff can be quite helpful to the parent. Parents can ask about the specifics of a child’s schedule and staffing.  Parents can ask about the social dynamics of classes their child participates in.

One of the most important questions to ask is who has expertise in the child’s specific disability?  Does the district have such expert on staff?  Availability of that staff to work with my child?  Schools that have “programs” based on disability sometimes need to be reminded that the IEP meeting is not about a “program”, but rather about “individualizing” a child’s plan.  If you don’t agree with what is being offered, a parent can say so…and ask for more options.

Advocates at The IEP Center™ help parents solve IEP problems by providing information so they can advocate for the child with special needs.  Don’t be bamboozled!  Waiting and hoping for problems to go away allows our children to regress.  Hoping the problem will go away will only delay getting the problem addressed.  If you’ve had an IEP meeting and issues weren’t resolved, you need an advocate on your side!

Never go alone to an IEP meeting; our advocates are available!

sign up for ezine:  bit.ly/IEPezine

facebook

Contact an advocate below:

Name(required)

Email(required)

age of child/disability

struggles at the school(required)

Upcoming meeting at the school in five days?

If child not attending school; why?

Parent phone numbers

Best time for advocate to call you

Optional: phone number of parent

Submit

Δ

Special Education Parent’s Advocacy Link LLC dba The IEP Center™ provides information to parents regarding the problems of children with disabilities.  We are civil rights advocates for parents of children with disabilities.  We are not attorneys and do not give advice.  Consult an attorney.  We do not have a license to practice law.

We help parents at low-cost.  We help parents prepare for school meetings and also go to mediation and IEP meetings with parents.

©2015 Special Education Parent’s Advocacy Link LLC dba The IEP Center™