IEP school tips for Missouri parents

Schools often don’t put plans into place legitimately unless a parent pursues action. Many parents are contacting us to share accounts of student’s who now  attend in a new building but the positive behavior strategies mistakenly aren’t implemented  from the previous year, although though the IEP continues in effect.

Public school staff often don’t understand the importance of proactively implementing behavior plans and accommodations.  Many students with ADD or ADHD need time for extra movement; or to do their desk work while standing.  Advocates at TheIEPCenter.com™ inform parents how other parents solved IEP problems  so the parent can advocate for the child with special needs. Schools often don’t put plans into place legitimately unless a parent pursues action.  Educational “systems” move slowly.  It’s what a parent doesn’t know that can deprive children of needed services.  We go to IEP meetings with parents* or participate online or telephone.

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.  Waiting too long to address concerns eliminates opportunities for correction.

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Special Education Parent’s Advocacy Link LLC dba The IEP Center™ helps parents at low-cost.  SEPAL provides information to parents regarding the problems of children with disabilities. We are civil rights advocates.  We are not attorneys and do not give advice.  Consult an attorney.  Thankfully, we are not affiliated with any government agency.

We support parents who prepare for school meetings and also go to school meetings with parents*.

©2018, 2023 Special Education Parent’s Advocacy Link LLC dba The IEP Center™

*prior arrangements necessary; travel limitations.

Note:  Spring of 2023, the Missouri legislature has bills related to the power parents have for our kids with special needs’ who utilize public school.  Senator Eigel’s bill “Empowering  Missouri Parents Act” is worth considering.

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My child needs help at school in Missouri; Senate Bill 318 Empowering Missouri Parents Act sponsored by Senator Eigel in Missouri Senate

Parents call describing how they have tried to get the public school to help their child for YEARS!  Usually they talk to staff at the school who brushes off the parent with comments like “he’ll grow out of it“, “wait and see”, or “we’ll test the kids in the spring”.  Then years pass and the student is so far behind and frustrated resulting in emotional and social issues becoming a problem.

Parents who suspect a child is struggling at public school need to communicate it in writing or e-mail to the special ed director. As a result, many schools will then include the child in use of interventions.  If after a few weeks of intervention with no  progress , a parent can  request a comprehensive evaluation in all areas of suspected disability.  Parents aren’t obligated to pay for testing by outside professionals; the public school district usually is required to perform testing/evaluation.   A reasonable person would believe that a school district would know to do these things without the parents insistence!  Contact us for help with any struggles doing this;  http://bit.ly/iepconsult

SB318 will give parents more power to pursue appropriate programming for our kids with special needs. https://www.senate.mo.gov/23info/bts_web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=44446

Some districts are difficult to work with, and make it difficult for parents to navigate.  That’s where the advocates at The IEP Center ™ are available. We support parents over the phone, and, often in one hour empower the parent!   Don’t let another semester go by with a child struggling needlessly;   Set a phone consult at  http://bit.ly/iepconsult

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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.

Thankfully, we are not affiliated with any government agency.

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

©2018, 2023 Special Education Parent’s Advocacy Link LLC dba The IEP Center™

*availability contingent upon availability, scope, technological requirements, other.

 

 

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.

Need help quick?    set a phone consult:   bit.ly/iepconsult

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Child advocate for student rights in IEP school meetings

The special ed law (IDEA) regulations allows for a parent to take to IEP meetings whomever the parent may invite.

Parents may have more control

Some parents take family members, some parents take case managers from other agencies.  Taking someone is better than taking nobody.

Click here to meet or talk with advocate

However, who you take with you makes a difference.  In my experience, parents who took case managers from other agencies (systems) experienced the status quo from school district personnel. Parent’s don’t have to take a “fake” advocate.   After all, most case managers knowledge and experience with school districts is similar to how parents are treated regardless, and the school may routinely bamboozle them.  You and your case manager walk away from the IEP meeting assuming the meeting was productive which may not be reality.  School systems are very different from other public assistance/mental health systems.

The public education system in many states  is often filled with internal politics, hidden agendas, clicks and demagoguery.  Although Congress expects parents to pursue “individualizing” a program for our child, it may become one individual taking on an institution.  There are alternatives, allowed by Congress,  to multiple school meetings.

Our advocates are familiar with the tactics school districts use to keep parents at bay which  results in the child receiving a minimal “schooling” of our child.  Over the years many parents expressed to our advocates the parent was treated with respect and much differently than before.  Some of the most effective “buttons” a parent can “push” can occur outside or before an upcoming IEP meeting.

The IEP Center.com advocates are aware of strategies parents can trigger to work the system and avoid getting bamboozled.  We are available to participate online or telephone with parents in  iep meetings, suspension hearings, manifestation-determination meetings and mediation*. 

Don’t be bamboozled!   Parents who are serious about their child’s schooling and tired of being bamboozled use advocates at The IEP Center.com.  Parents who are serious about their child’s education use our advocates.

Contact our office for details, limitations and requirements.

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Read our blog (click below) commentary to learn how IEP meetings may not always the most efficient method to pursue correction of a public school problem.

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Special Education Parent’s Advocacy Link LLC dba The IEP Center.com™ are not attorneys and do not give legal advice. We are civil rights advocates.   We do not give advice; we give information about the problems of children with special needs. We do not represent anyone. We are not licensed to practice law in any state. Consult an attorney.

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Your child is worth it; this is a low-cost service.  Thankfully, we are not affiliated with any government agency.

**Participation in IEP meeting with the school contingent on factors including availability, applicability, prepayment, scope, locale, jurisdictional restrictions, other. Participation may be via telephone, virtual, or in person.