Create an individualized education plan (IEP) and secure the education your child deserves!
Children with learning disabilities have different needs than other kids in special education -- let Nolo's IEP Guide: Learning Disabilities help you work with your child's school to make sure those needs are met.
This one-of-a-kind book walks you through the Individual Education Program process, providing all the instructions, suggestions, resources, and forms you need to understand the special education system.
Step by step, you'll learn how to:
- understand your child's rights
- prepare to make your case
- untangle eligibility rules and evaluations
- develop effective IEP goals
- figure out the best programs, services and teaching strategies
- get ready for IEP meetings
- resolve disputes with the school district
- do legal research on learning-disability issues
The 5th edition has been updated to reflect the latest laws, federal regulations, and court decisions that affect the IEP process, and includes fully up-to-date forms, sample letters, and resources to help you every step of the way. Plus, read an expanded section about ""appropriate"" education measures resulting from a recent U.S. Supreme Court case, and get new details on eligibility for special education services for your child.
1. Introduction to Special Education
What Is Special Education?
What Is an IEP?
Being Your Childs Advocate
Getting Help From Others
2. Your Childs Rights Under the IDEA
IDEA and State Special Education Laws
What IDEA Requires
Individualized Education Program
Working With Your School District
3. What Is a Learning Disability?
Legal Definitions
Scientific and Professional Definitions
Does Your Child Have a Learning?Disability?
Signs of a Learning Disability
Learning Disabilities and the IEP?Process
4. Getting Started
First Steps
Obtain Your Childs School?Records
Start an IEP Binder
Keep Track of Deadlines
5. Developing Your Childs IEP Blueprint
Begin at the End: Define?Your?Childs Needs
Preparing an IEP Blueprint
Other Sources of Information for the Blueprint
Whats Next?
6. Evaluations
When Evaluations Are Done
The Evaluation Plan
Analyzing the Tests
Approving, Rejecting, or Changing the Evaluation Plan
Reviewing the Report
Reevaluations
Final Evaluations
7. Eligibility
Eligibility Requirements: Generally
Eligibility Standards for Children With Learning Disabilities
Preparing for the IEP Eligibility?Meeting
Attending the Eligibility Meeting
Joint IEP Eligibility/Program Meeting
If Your Child Is Not Found Eligible for Special Education
8. Gathering Information and Evidence
Analyze the School Districts?Information
Chart Your Childs?Progress
Explore Available School?Programs
Find Out About Related Services
Compare Your Blueprint With?the Existing Program and?Services
Generate Additional Supporting?Information
Independent Evaluations
9. Goals
Skill Areas Covered by Goals
Developing Goals
When to Draft Goals
Writing Effective Goals
10. Preparing for the IEP Meeting
Schedule the IEP Meeting
The IEP Meeting?Agenda
Organize Your Materials
Draft Your Childs IEP Program
Establish Who Will Attend the IEP?Meeting
Final Preparation
11. The IEP Meeting
Getting Started
Simple Rules for a Successful IEP?Meeting
Become Familiar With Your Schools IEP Form
Writing the IEP Plan
Sign the IEP Document
Parent Addendum Page
12. Resolving IEP Disputes Through Due Process
Before Due Process: Informal?Negotiations
Typical Due Process Disputes
When to Pursue Due Process
Who Can File?
Your Childs Status During Due?Process
Using a Lawyer During Due?Process
How to Begin Due Process
Prepare for Due Process
Mediation Specifics
Due Process Hearing
Hearing Decision and Appeals
13. Filing a Complaint
When to File a Complaint
Where to File a Complaint
What to Include in a Complaint
What Happens When You File a?Complaint
14. Lawyers and Legal Research
How a Lawyer Can Help
Do You Need a Lawyer?
Finding an Attorney
How Attorneys Are Paid
Resolving Problems With a?Lawyer
Doing Your Own Legal Research
Online Legal Research
15. Parent Organizations
Join a Parent Organization
Form a Parent Organization
Appendixes
A. Special Education Law and Regulations
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (Key Sections)
IDEA Regulations (Key Sections)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Key Regulations)
B. Support Groups, Advocacy Organizations, and Other Resouces
General Resources on Special Education
Parent Training and Information (PTI) Centers
Legal Resources on Special Education
Resources Concerning Specific Disabilities
C. The Severe Discrepancy Model
D. Sample IEP Form
E. Tear-Out Forms
Request for Information on Special Education
Request to Begin Special Education Process and Evaluation
Request for Childs School File
Request to Amend Childs School File
Special Education Contacts
IEP Journal
Monthly IEP Calendar
IEP Blueprint
Letter Requesting Evaluation Report
Request for Joint IEP Eligibility/Program Meeting
Progress Chart
Program Visitation Request Letter
Class Visitation Checklist
Goals Chart
IEP Material Organizer Form
IEP Meeting Participants
IEP Meeting Attendance Objection Letter
IEP Preparation Checklist
Letter Confirming Informal Negotiation Results
Letter Requesting Due Process
Index