School District ?

[DVCisME]

Hi! I went to the child study team in August '09 and discussed the difficulties my son has (one being change). He is currently being evealuated for aspergers.
We are moving, but staying in the same zip code. The child study coordinator told me to just write a note and they would allow my son to finish the year there. So I wrote the note. The principal told me no, there was no chance of that happening.
Is there anyway to appeal or rebute this?
There are only 59 days of school left, but my son would never be able to handle all that change at once-school, friends, house, etc
TIA

 

[sjanus]

I would imagine the new school district would be responsible and I would schedule an appointment with them to discuss the IEP, difficulty with change, and perhaps they can make an arrangement with the school district to pay for the remainder of the year plus busing (which is usually the expensive thing).

Definitely you need a process in place for this transition to make it smooth if they feel they can meet the needs and set up successful strategies to make it work. Perhaps you can have an IEP meeting at the new school and invite some of the school personnel from current school, set up a day for visiting the new school ahead of time...prepare, prepare, prepare!

I used to work in the Public School System in Pennsylvania as a School Psychologist, Behavior Analyst, Autism Consultant, and it seems like the district upon where the student lives is always responsible. But often neighborhing school districts will work together if it is in the best benefit of the child, especially if it makes sense.

I hope that helps.

Sandy

 

[DVCisME]

Thank you! I don't mind driving him. I am just concerned that he would be best finishing this school year in current school, starting transition to new school, and then going next year.
The move is happening swiftly. We had a contract on our house and they wanted us out in 45 days. You know how real estate is. SO I waited until it looked like a done deal. I wasn't going to say anything and submit a change of address, my mom's within district. The child study coordinator made it sound like it was 100% guaranteed. Should the school have a policy about this? How would I go about finding it?
I already know my son will have trouble since they are on spring break next week. He had difficulty all this week with 1/2 days. And then they want me to have him transfered that week...

 

[sjanus]

Hmmm....well if he could stay with your mom rest of year during week days, would probably have to give her guardianship for school purposes, that may work. Or just say you and he are going to live with your mom rest of school year then move to new home.

You need an IEP soon so you can exercise the rights of special education. If you are just going through Child Study program, sounds like he is being evaluated to see if he is eligible and in need of special programming. Actually, when a child is being considered for special services I believe the federal law says they are privy to all the rights of special education...terminology is "thought to be disabled".

Unfortunately, once he is in new district, they are responsible to deliver the program and carry out the IEP, etc. But if you are still living in district, whether it is with your mom or in current house, they would be responsible.

It does sound like a difficult situation for such a quick transition for him. How old is he, what grade?

You can PM me if you want, I'll try to help you. You probably need an advocate quickly through your local mental health services. You need assistance to help you with this, the transition needs to have close attention by all professionals involved. It can happen successfully if it must if right interventions are in place.

I agree, it would be nice if he could finish up the year.....but if not, need Plan B!

Sandy

 

[DVCisME]

He is 5, he will be 6 on April 14. I really want him in our "new" school district, but I truly do not believe he is able to handle it. He has qualified for an IEP, but the specifics have not been determined. We were/are supposed to have a meeting in April.
I feel really guilty because if I hadn't written the note I wouldn't have caused this problem for him. AND I am not a good liar. So I can and will probably use my mom's address but it weighs on me.
They only verbally told me that they wouldn't keep him. I did mention that we were purchasing a new home and was not sure if it passed all the paperwork- that can bide me some time. I just feel so stresses out and this was the last thing I needed.

 

[sjanus]

I'm the same way, not a good liar, so totally understand. You wouldn't be able to anyway, as children, especially those with Asperger's are painfully honest, especially at that age!

Probably best if you be proactive and set up a meeting at the new school, tell them you will be transitioning soon, and take all the paperwork....meet with the special education department folks and see what kind of plan they can work out. You may be surprised, if all the right people are involved, how smoothly the transition can be.

I guess since he will be 6, he is probably in kindergarten. Most students in kindergarten are very kind and helpful, so that is a plus!

Also, you can set up a meeting at the school with the administration and see if you can slowly transition him, maybe 3 days a week at current school, 2 days a week at new school, then next week 2 days a week at current school, 3 days a week at new school, etc.

Wow, sounds like you have a lot to deal with. As I said, if you need some advice or someone to listen while working through the process, feel free to pm me, I've dealt with a lot of situations like this....usually in the middle between the parent, school, and always working for the child! Now retired but still love those children!!!!

Sandy

 

[jmartinez1895]

I'm not one for trying to cheat or lie, but is there any way you could let you paper work buy you some time, and then everyone knows that when you move in you paint and all kinds of stuff; so could these type of "moving and setteling in" things cause you to have to stay with your mom for 59 days. I don't mean you have to live there, but go and hang out for a while, maybe get a peice of mail there...

 

[ElizabethG]

Check the department of education website for your state to see what the enrollment rules are. My state has open enrollment, meaning you can attend a different school than the district you live in. Special Education money follows the student. Perhaps the sped money in your state goes to the home school, no matter what. That would make a principal more unwilling to budge. You should see if you have advocacy groups in your area. They could give you the scoop on enrollment rules and appeals processes. Good luck. I hope everything works out for you.

 

[bookwormde]

Transitions are one of the hardest skills for our kids to get proficiant at. IF you had an IEP in place allready then it would be a lot easier. call the director of special education for your disctrict and expalain the issue (principles are not well educated in IDEA lawa and needs). Let her know that you belive that moving him would cause immediate damage to his ability to ge a free appropriate education until the new school has an complete and effective implementable IEP in place.

How long has it been since the IDEA educational classification was determined?

bookwormde

 

[sjanus]

Transitions are one of the hardest skills for our kids to get proficiant at. IF you had an IEP in place allready then it would be a lot easier. call the director of special education for your disctrict and expalain the issue (principles are not well educated in IDEA lawa and needs). Let her know that you belive that moving him would cause immediate damage to his ability to ge a free appropriate education until the new school has an complete and effective implementable IEP in place.

How long has it been since the IDEA educational classification was determined?

bookwormde

I agree Bookwormde, the special education director would be a good place to start. There needs to be communication between the two schools--both schools need to write the IEP, input from School A, IEP to be implemented at School B, so need to know what resources are in place for him there! And as a previous poster had said, contact the local advocacy group, and even bring an advocate to the meeting with school personnel, as they will be up on what your rights are. If you can buy some time to develop a good IEP, with a transition plan in place, that would really be helpful. The special education director may be more sympathetic to the transitioning issues.


Sandy

 

[SueM in MN]

Since this is not about WDW, I am going to move it to the disABILITIES Community Board where it will be more on on topic.

Besides the advice others have given, check out the PACER site at www.pacer.org
PACER stands for Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights and, although it is based in Minnesota, it is the National Resource Center. There are links on the PACER site that might help you, including a link to the Alliance for Parent Advocacy Centers. They also have pdf files of some resources that might help you. At least it's somewhere you can look that might be helpful over the weekend.