Monday, April 23, 2007

Update on Child Complaints

My first Child Complaint process is over.

1) The school was found noncompliant in terminating Bubba's language services and must meet to discuss compensatory services. (The schools reasoning was that they made a procedural error because their caseload was too heavy--though the person that did it was the acting LEA and it was clear it was orchestrated...but whatever.) Since it was never about getting Bubba more services, but specifically about recording the underhanded sneakiness, I don't know what to do. I don't want Bubba pulled out of class to go to language therapy, which at this point probably won't make a bit of difference. But part of me wants them to "learn their lesson."

2) The school was found noncompliant in providing me quarterly progress reports (for the language goal) and have to supply a letter of assurance to the state department of education. (They couldn't prove they did give them to me and I had enough requests in writing saying they didn't give them to me.)

3) The one that I just don't get is that they were NOT found out of compliance for not giving me access to Bubba's related service records. According to the state department of education, those records fall under the "personal note" clause. I finally did get access to the records, which contained data collection towards Bubba's goals (and data that indicated goals he was not reaching I might add even though I was told he met the goals). So this appears to mean that we have no right to access data collection records and therefore can't see proof as to what progress our children are [not] making? So as long as the IEP looks clean and they give progress reports (I need to start asking for percentages!), they don't even have to support the end result with data? This makes me feel like I have no control at all. I guess at the next IEP meeting I'll request it be put in his IEP that we have access to Bubba's data collection records, and if they refuse, get a notice of action refused to add to my collection.

Really the only lesson learned for the school, in my opinion, is how to cover their butts on paper. This will not stop them from telling another family whose child qualifies for special education services that their child doesn't 'qualify' for specific related services based solely on IQ. That frustrates me.... better bet that this information is shared with all parents that I know and anyone I help as a parent mentor.

1 comment:

Club 166 said...

Way to go!

You won two out of three. The decision goes to you.

Just keep on smiling, don't let them see you sweat.

Let them think you'd do it all (and more) in a minute if they cross you again.