The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for Special Education Services for Your Child, 11th Edition

Recipient of the 2017 BRONZE Winner for Education Award from Foreword Indies. Get the educational services and support your child deserves Federal law guarantees every child a free appropriate education, and the goal of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) is to assure that every child with special needs receives what the law promises. But you know that your family must make sure the school follows through. This powerful book covers: • eligibility rules and assessments • working with outside experts • developing your child’s ideal educational program • preparing for and attending IEP meetings, and • resolving disputes with school districts. The 11th edition explains the law and provides key forms, sample letters, and resources you need at every stage of the IEP process. With it, you can ensure your child gets a good education—the education your child deserves. Cover Title Page Table of Contents Your Legal Companion for IEPs 1. Introduction to Special Education What Is Special Education? What Is an IEP? Being Your Child’s Advocate Getting Help From Others 2. Overview of Special Education Law and the IEP The IDEA and State Special Education Laws What the IDEA Requires Individualized Education Program Working With Your School District Some Overriding IEP Principles 3. Getting Started: Tips for All Parents First Steps Obtaining Your Child’s School Records Harassment Harassment Law 4. Getting Organized Starting an IEP Binder The Yearly IEP Cycle Sample Year in the Life of Your Child’s IEP Keeping a Monthly Calendar Tracking Your Child’s Progress 5. Developing Your Child’s IEP Blueprint Begin at the End: Defining Your Child’s Needs Preparing an IEP Blueprint Other Sources of Information for the Blueprint What’s Next? 6. Evaluations When Evaluations Are Done Evaluation Components Evaluation Plans Meeting With the Evaluator Reviewing the Report Reevaluations Final Evaluations 7. Who Is Eligible for Special Education? General Eligibility Requirements Preparing for the IEP Eligibility Meeting Attending the Eligibility Meeting Joint IEP Eligibility/Program Meeting If Your Child Is Not Eligible for Special Education 8. What Is a Learning Disability? Defining a Disability Legal Definitions Does Your Child Have a Learning Disability? Finding More Information Online 9. Exploring Your Options and Making Your Case Reviewing the School District’s Information Keeping Tabs on Your Child’s Progress Exploring Available School Programs Finding Out About Related Services Comparing Your Blueprint With the Existing Programs and Services Generating Additional Supporting Information Independent Evaluations What If the District Hasn’t Done an Evaluation? Requesting that the District Pay for an Evaluation 10. Writing Measurable Annual Goals Skill Areas Covered by Goals Developing Goals When to Draft Goals Writing Effective Goals 11. Preparing for the IEP Meeting Scheduling the IEP Meeting The IEP Meeting Agenda Organizing Your Materials Drafting Your Child’s IEP Program Establishing Who Will Attend the IEP Meeting Final Preparation 12. Attending the IEP Meeting Getting Started Simple Rules for a Successful IEP Meeting Becoming Familiar With Your School’s IEP Form Writing the IEP Plan Signing the IEP Document Parent Addendum Page 13. Resolving IEP Disputes Through Due Process What Is Due Process? Timeline for Requesting Due Process When You Can Go Straight to Court Instead of Using the Due Process Hearing Before Due Process: Informal Negotiations Typical Due Process Disputes When to Pursue Due Process Who Can File? Your Child’s Status During Due Process Using a Lawyer During Due Process How to Begin Due Process Preparing for Due Process Mediation Specifics Due Process Hearing Hearing Decision and Appeals 14. 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 15. 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 Key Court Decisions About Special Education and the IDEA Online Legal Research 16. Parent Organizations Joining a Parent Organization Finding a Parent Organization Forming a Parent Organization Running Your Parent Organization 17. How to Use the Companion Page on Nolo.com Using the Forms From the Companion Page Editing RTFs List of Forms Index Book Registration Recipient of the 2017 BRONZE Winner for Education Award from Foreword Indies. Get the educational services and support your child deservesEnsuring your child's school provides individualized services under the Individual Education Program (IEP) isn't easy. Working with teachers, school administrators, and school districts can be intimidating when you aren't familiar with special education laws.The Complete IEP Guide --a recipient of Foreword Indies' 2017 Bronze Education award--explains IEP eligibility rules while teaching you how to research school programs and draft educational goals. You'll also learn about: working with outside experts developing your child's ideal educational program preparing for and attending IEP meetings, and resolving disputes with school districts. The 11th edition includes essential forms, sample letters, and other indispensable resources you can use throughout the IEP process to help ensure the school district provides the educational experience your child deserves. "Helps navigate the complicated process of creating and maintaining an Individualized Education Program (IEP) by providing explanations of the law and guidance and tools for parents. The 7th edition covers recent court cases, plus has an expanded section about "appropriate" education measures and eligibility details"--Provided by publisher. The Complete IEP Guide provides parents withthe tools to create and maintain a useful IEP plan for a child with specialneeds. The timely legal information, practical advice, and step-by-stepinstructions make this an invaluable resource for parents of children withdisabilities