One of the hardest things that we can go through as parents is to recognize an issue or problem with our child. Sometimes we feel that we are failing or not doing enough to guide our children. However, it is important to remember that everyone needs help and know where/who to reach out to during these times.
In the education system, if you believe that your child is having difficulty, there are some avenues you can take to make sure your student is getting the support they need.
Speak to the Teacher
First and foremost, if you feel that your child is struggling the first step is to speak to the teacher. Explain the issue that you are seeing in your child to them. Kristin Stanberry, a writer and editor specializing in parenting and education suggests that you:
- Make copies of your child’s records—test scores, homework samples, report cards, medical records, etc.
- Observe your child and take notes.
- Talk to your child about what skills and subjects he/she struggles with.
- The teacher may first suggest some accommodations such as response to intervention (RTI). RTI provides targeted teaching in the subjects or areas the student is behind in while closely monitoring the student’s progress.
Request an Assessment
If you believe that your child is still falling behind or needs further support and your concerns aren’t being adequately addressed you need to request an assessment for special education in writing. You send this letter to both the principal of your child’s school and the teacher. The letter should include:
- Child’s name and grade
- Teacher’s name
- Examples of the problems you are concerned about
- What steps/interventions have been taken so far and why you feel they have not worked
- There is an excellent template for an assessment request letter at https://www.parentcenterhub.org/evaluation-2/.
What Happens Next
After the request for assessment is received your child’s school has 15 days to issue a formal response. This response often includes the request for your consent for an assessment plan. Kit Richert, Ph.D. explains that an assessment plan’s purpose is to: “determine their academic level, cognitive ability, adaptive behavior, motor skills, or language processing abilities. The design of the assessment varies according to the area of disability.”
Once the school receives the parents’ written consent to the assessment plan, they have approximately 60 days (excluding school breaks) to complete the assessment. Once this assessment has taken place, and the initial Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting will be held to determine if the student is eligible for Special Education (SPED) services.
If the child does not require Special Education services but is determined to have a disability the student may still qualify for general education accommodations under a Section 504 plan.
Whether your child is determined to need services under SPED or general education, specific goals for the student’s progress will be set. The school will pull together a team that may include speech therapists, counselors, paraprofessional aides, or adaptive PE teachers to provide support to your students in accordance with their IEP goals. It is imperative that parents be involved in this process to help their student reach said goals.
Resources:
- Special Education Law: www.wrightslaw.com
- Parents of children with disabilities: www.parentcenterhub.org
- Parents of children with learning and attention disorders: www.understood.org
- Parent Center with resources and training: www.warmlinefrc.org