As a teacher, I work for the school district that employs me. I must follow their guidelines and their rules for writing and implementing IEPs (individual education plans). Having worked in 3 districts now, I know that each district does things differently. These 3 districts do things even more differently than my home district does ( where my own children who have IEPs go to school).
That being said, you are the parent. There is no greater voice or resource than you on your child. The special Ed teacher is the expert on finding ways to adapt the curriculum to meet your child's needs. The regular Ed teacher is the expert on the curriculum and the regular peers. The LEA (local education agency) -- usually the principal-- is the expert on what the district has to offer your child.
YOU are the expert on your child.
NEVER let anyone convince you that the other 16 hours you spend during the week, 48 hours on the weekend (not counting breaks, illnesses, and holidays) are not valid. You gave birth to your child. You carried your child. You raised your child. You will be there for your child when this set of teachers transitions your child to the next set of teachers. You are the constant!
In mathematical terms you are the x variable in the equation: y=mx+b
Y being your child's potential, m being your child's personality, disability,and abilities, b is their education. We teachers are merely and additional part of the equation. Parents multiply their child's potential! Parents make the difference!
As a special Ed teacher, I love active parents. I love having a parent come in and observe my work. I love their feedback! I work to please the student first and the parent second. Usually when I work to get growth out of the student, the parents are happy! Unfortunately, districts can mess that all up with their own rules, regulations, and finances. School budgets are a mess now, especially with no one wanting to pay the taxes necessary to educate the regular student, not counting the exceptional students!
Know as a parent that your view points are valid. Insist that your child get the appropriate education to help your child reach the regular curriculum. Every child can be taught. Every child can learn. The special Ed teacher's job is to assess and ascertain how to get your child there. Not every child can learn at the same rate as their peers, but that is what the IEP is about! The IEP is the plan to get your child on grade level. It is not simply enough for an IEP to be functional (life skills, daily activities, peer integration)! But an IEP must address the academic needs as well! How will this child be able to do mathematics? How will this child be able to read?
YOU, the parent have a right to ask these questions.
For further references who validate the importance of the parent check out:
The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs’ (OSEP’s) IDEA website: http://idea.ed.gov/explore/home
Parents' Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act: Rights Regarding Children’s Education Records: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/brochures/parents.html
This is where you can find your official copy of parents rights in the state of Missouri:
http://dese.mo.gov/se/parentresources.html
This is where you can find your official copy of parents rights in the state of Colorado:
http://www.cde.state.co.us/spedlaw/download/2011ProceduralSafeguards.pdf
This is where's you can find your official copy of parents rights in the state of Kansas:
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2832
This is where's you can find your official copy of parents rights in the state of Arkansas:
https://arksped.k12.ar.us/sections/dss.html
This is where you can find your official copy of parents rights in the state of Nebraska:
http://www.education.ne.gov/sped/parentinfo.html
This is where you can find your official copy of parents rights in the state of Iowa:
http://www.educateiowa.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=574&Itemid=510
Wright's Law is a disability advocacy law firm. They have a lot of plain English information about parents rights in the form of webpages, pamphlets, and workshops.
http://www.wrightslaw.com/
