07 January 2013

I Have An IEP Meeting At 3:15 Today

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The school called this one ... after Cam's suspension ... I hate to have a shitty attitude going in, but this isn't going to end well.

They want to discuss placement - specifically placement in a program other than Cam's home school. When I asked what the meeting was in regards to, the Local Education Agency Representative (LEA) stated "I am scheduling an IEP meeting to discuss Cam’s placement.  The school would like to discuss the following options for Cameron to best meet his needs.Please understand that these option should not be considered as pre-determination of placement and there is an understanding that this is a team discussion and decision based on the data reviewed.", yet they didn't include Cam's home high school as a placement option.

That sounds pretty predetermined to me ... which is against Federal Law and why the LEA attempted to cover his ass in his statement to me.

The options they are giving Cam?

Night School - a program held at a high school in our district, 17 miles from our home, and where there was recently an armed robbery of a student in the parking lot. The program runs from 6PM - 9PM, Monday-Friday and is core classes only, eliminating Cam's participation in music programs.
Ombudsman - an "alternative" on-line program, contracted for by the school district and held in an office in a business park 17 miles from our home. This program offers daytime hours, 10AM - 2:30PM, Monday - Friday, and is core classes only, eliminating Cam's participation in music programs.
District Alternative High School - A self contained program for students with Emotional and Behavior disorders, 17 miles from our home. The majority of students in this program are special education students who have been expelled from their home school for weapons and/or drug related offenses. This program offers a theraputic component (anger management classes, counseling, etc.) but is core classes only, eliminating Cam's participation in music programs.
Night School with 2 periods at the home high school - the same night school program mentioned above, but adding two classes (Band and PE - Cam's participation in Men's Choir would be eliminated) at Cam's home high school.

When I asked for information on all of these programs (student demographic data, school performance data - the things I am able to easily access for public schools but cannot access on any of these programs), I was told, "Representatives will be at the meeting to answer many of your questions.  Other information can be found on the district website and/or will be discussed at the meeting."

The problem?

These "representatives" were not listed on the IEP meeting invitation which violates Federal Law requiring prior written notice for IEP meetings.

I'm not sure how this will play out, but I do know that I'm done playing nice with people who refuse to offer me the same consideration.

3 comments:

Gina said...

This sounds interesting, especially considering you were saying the same things I was thinking about Federal Law. Keep us updated. Fingers crossed, friend.

Mike said...

Keep fighting.

Susan said...

Yeah, all those options are in Cam's best interest. Especially the elimination of probably the only thing he's interested in - music!

Sounds like these options help the school. If they dump Cam, no more problem. Where's Cam's help?

Unbelievable. I cannot believe these are the people educating our kids.

Good luck.