Two Learning Spectrum directors – Shelly Ehmann, Senior Director, and Tiffanie Ryan, Behavior Health Director – are scheduled to attend the Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Conference in Columbus on July 3.
The conference will focus on the following areas:
- special education law, rights and responsibilities
- tests and measurements to measure progress and regression
- SMART IEPs
- introduction to tactics and strategies for effective advocacy
We are attending this important conference because we are advocates for not only our students, but their families as well. It will be helpful for us to know and understand the laws so we can communicate them effectively.
About IEPs
Any public school student who is eligible for special education is entitled to a document called an Individualized Education Program, or IEP.
An IEP is a legal document developed by a team of educators, a school psychologist or other specialist, and parents. It identifies the child’s needs, specific learning goals, the services the school will provide to meet those needs, and how the child’s progress will be measured.
Parents Need to Know Their Rights
It’s important that parents be familiar with the rights they have through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Free Appropriate Pubic Education (FAPE).
Just a few examples:
- You may not know that you don’t have to sign your child’s IEP if you don’t agree with it.
- You have the right to call an IEP meeting at any time, by requesting a meeting in writing to your district.
- If the school does not provide to your child what is legally required, you can file a due process complaint.
We know this is a lot for parents to learn and understand. But you are not alone. It’s The Learning Spectrum’s job to help you advocate for your child, and this training will increase our ability to do just that.
TLS as Advocates
The Learning Spectrum works with parents and school districts to provide the necessary services each child needs to be most successful.
The Learning Spectrum respects every child’s way of learning and believes it is truly a multi-disciplinary approach. We want to empower families to have access to the most current and effective services for with students with disabilities. Understanding special education law is a critical part of this process.
Get Educated
The Learning Spectrum will be communicating what they learn at the Wrightslaw conference with other staff members as well as parents. But if you want to learn more, they invite you to check out the Wrightslaw website. It contains comprehensive information, downloads and links that can help you better understand what your child may be entitled to.
And as always, if you have any questions, feel free to call TLS at 614-844-5433.