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.

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IEP meetings in Missouri: what parents aren’t told

IEP students who have difficulty at public school who are often sent home, sent to in-school suspension (ISS), or out-of-school suspension (OSS) may not be in the right program, yet the public school doesn’t offer a “right” program. This predicament was addressed  when Congress arranged for mediation between parents and schools.

Often the regular IEP team doesn’t or won’t consider options beyond the routine in their building.  Serious matters require using a different approach to achieve reasonable outcomes for a student and mediation is where this can happen; mediation participants typically are not the usual IEP meeting attendees.

Schools may lead parents to believe that “due process” is the only option for the parent to pursue; this is usually not true.  A parent is  gracious to the district when participating in mediation rather than pursuing other avenues.

Don’t be bamboozled by the school!  Our advocates are knowledgeable and experienced parents who have pursued civil rights for our children.   Set a phone consult;  http://bit.ly/iepconsult

Advocates at The IEP Center help parents solve IEP problems by providing information so the parent 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 extend the problem.

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

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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.  Consult an attorney.  We do not represent anyone.

We are civil rights advocates who support parents at low-cost.  We help parents prepare for school meetings and also go to mediation and IEP meetings with parents.

©2016-2022 Special Education Parent’s Advocacy Link LLC dba The IEP Center™

Yep!  We are not affiliated with any government agency.

who to take to an IEP meeting in Missouri

Parents can invite people to attend the child’s IEP meeting.  We know of no regulation that requires parents  to inform the public school whom the parent brings.

If the public school district in Missouri is uncooperative, contact the civil rights advocates at The IEPCenter.com™  We are available to go to IEP meetings when invited by the parent, in Missouri and Kansas*.

The more information a parent has before entering an IEP meeting, the better they can make informed decisions.  A parent’s failure to ask the right questions in an IEP meeting may result in the child getting “left behind”.

One of the most overlooked people to invite is the paraprofessional(s) who work with the child.  Parents can notify the special ed administrator in advance that the parent is inviting the para.  Often the para is the person at the school who knows the child the best.

Some districts disallow paras to go to IEP meetings; contact our advocate to learn strategies to overcome this obstacle.

Districts’ sometimes place a heavy burden on paras, especially when the para has no skills related to the disability.  Paras usually go through a “training”, however it is often unrelated to our child’s special need(s). Often paras never see the IEP document.

Many times the para is not a good match for a student and problems arise.  Parents can find ways to privately talk to a para about what’s going on at school.

In Missouri call 816 865 6262

The more information a parent has before entering an IEP meeting, the better they can make informed decisions.  A parent’s failure to ask the right questions in an IEP meeting may result in the child getting “left behind”.

 

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©2018 Special Education Parent’s Advocacy Link LLC dba The IEP Center™ are  civil rights advocates. Special Education Parent’s Advocacy Link LLC advocates have special knowledge related to the problems of children with disabilities. We are not attorneys and do not give legal advice.  We do not represent parents or children.  We are not licensed to practice law in any state. Consult an attorney.  Nothing in this blog is to be considered legal advice.

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First Steps transition to school district Early Childhood programs in Missouri: first IEP meetings

A parent’s first IEP meeting with the public school system is significant.  A parent must be ready!  This meeting sets the tone of the relationship with the public school for many years to come!

Parents need to take documents to share about the extent of the disability that legitimize the amount and rate of service needed; especially for physical, speech and occupational therapies.

Some school districts lead parents to believe that since the child is on track academically that no services are needed; documents can indicate otherwise! Many times school offer much less than what the child received in First Steps!  And the school legitimizes it by saying “that’s all that is available”.  Parents can make breakthroughs in these “rubber stamped” meetings!

Parents who seem “nice” and “agreeable” can be easily taken advantage of by the school, and the parent not realize it.

Be ready!  Have an IEP Center advocate help you prepare for Early Childhood school meetings.

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!

In Missouri call 816 865 6262

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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 civil rights We are not attorneys and do not give advice.  Consult an attorney.

 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™