HARRIET GETS AN IEP!

Before hiring us, Harriet's (not her real name) school had already started evaluating to determine if Harriet is eligible for an IEP.   The problem is that the school did not create an evaluation plan that was comprehensive enough to decide on her educational needs.  Plus, school officials told the parents that Harriet needed to be placed in a more restrictive environment.

Schools are not permitted to predetermine the needs and placement of a student outside of a properly convened IEP meeting that the parents have been invited to attend.  The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) gives parents the right to have the opportunity to participate in decisions as to what are the appropriate services, supports, and placement of the student.  Equally, such decisions are not made until it has been decided that the student is eligible for an IEP.

After we were hired, we informed the school district of the parent's concerns and scheduled an eligibility meeting.   At the eligibility meeting, Harriet was found to be eligible for an IEP, and an IEP was created that kept Harriet in the least restrictive environment (not the self-contained class that school officials had previously predetermined).   Plus, the school district agreed to perform additional evaluations to determine Harriet's needs.

We are expert IEP Advocates who assist parents of kids like Harriet to receive a free appropriate public education in public school.      Book your free virtual or phone consultation.