With *it* approaching fast, here are three brief pieces of guidance to help you start the school year strong...
~ Everything in writing. Special education is business and as such, documentation rules. You speak with the teacher, you follow-up in writing. You receive a call from the principal, you follow-up in writing. And end your communication with an action step, e.g. please contact us if our understanding differs from yours. This places the responsibility on your district/school to concur or otherwise...in writing.
~ If your child was evaluated over the summer - and matters not if this was an initial evaluation or subsequent - and you do not understand the data, ask the clinician to explain it and the assessments done. What do the scores mean. How do they relate to your child’s individual needs. Having just reviewed another report where it was pages upon pages of narratives in long paragraphs that made my own eyes tear, focus on the charts and data first. It's the basis for your child's story.
~ Be sure you have received - and if not, ask for it - data and narratives from summer services and support. Whether ESY or privately, if there has been progress or regression, this factors into your upcoming or next IEP meeting.
Many children and teens are ready to start school. Others are not. It’s important to gauge your child’s readiness and ensure you have the supports and services in place to help them start off strong. And if issues developed over the summer, convene your IEP team sooner vs. later.
If you already feel overwhelmed…want another pair of eyes to review a recent evaluation report..will feel more prepared with strategies before your IEP meeting, please let me know.
Wishing you and your children a solid start this year and that the year continues the same.
Debra
Debra@debraischafer.com