Copies of IEP's & Minutes
You learned a valuable lesson to never sign a document in the IEP meeting until you have had time to review it. The school will use it against you to say that you agreed with everything. Only sign the attendance form at the IEP meetings stating that you have participated, until you have received all final documents and had an opportunity to review them. You will also need to sign a Consent to Evaluate if you have requested testing.
Parents are suppose to be given a copy of the final IEP at it's completion. Rarely are we ever getting these documents at the end of an IEP meeting anymore, which is concerning. So how can we check for accuracy??
I always insist on a copy of the minutes before we leave the meeting, at least. Usually I have been provided a copy of the "draft" IEP and I've taken my notes. I never give Drafts back to the school when they ask to collect them. Tell them to give you a copy of the final IEP for comparison and time to review it, and you will return the draft, but until then, you must keep it. Remind them you are suppose to have a copy of the final IEP before you leave. (Schools on occassion have been known to alter documents, so it is important to review!!) Most of the time, I don't worry too much about not getting it at the end of the meeting, as long as I have a draft IEP and a copy of the minutes.
If the IEP or minutes is not accurate, you can send a follow-up e-mail to document what you disagree with, and ask that it be changed. If the school refuses to change it, your e-mail/letter will serve as a document of your request. I don't worry too much about minutes being changed, because they are one-sided anyway. I always have a tape recording of the meeting, which can be transcribed and used as evidence. I will call another IEP meeting if necessary if actual services, methodology, accommodations/modifications or placement is not recorded accurately, this is very important.
Carol Sadler
Special Education Consultant/Advocate
GA Advocacy Office PLSP I Graduate
770-442-8357
1105 Rock Pointe Look
Woodstock, GA 30188
CarolSadler@bellsouth.net
www.IEPadvocate4You.com
CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVILEGED - Information contained in this communication is confidential and privileged. It is not meant to represent legal or medical advice, but rather advice given based on my knowledge as a trained Parent Advocate by the GA Advocacy Office, Council of Parent Advocates & Attorneys, CHADD, LDA, and the GA DOE Parent Mentor program as an invited guest. Please do not forward without my permission.
Parents are suppose to be given a copy of the final IEP at it's completion. Rarely are we ever getting these documents at the end of an IEP meeting anymore, which is concerning. So how can we check for accuracy??
I always insist on a copy of the minutes before we leave the meeting, at least. Usually I have been provided a copy of the "draft" IEP and I've taken my notes. I never give Drafts back to the school when they ask to collect them. Tell them to give you a copy of the final IEP for comparison and time to review it, and you will return the draft, but until then, you must keep it. Remind them you are suppose to have a copy of the final IEP before you leave. (Schools on occassion have been known to alter documents, so it is important to review!!) Most of the time, I don't worry too much about not getting it at the end of the meeting, as long as I have a draft IEP and a copy of the minutes.
If the IEP or minutes is not accurate, you can send a follow-up e-mail to document what you disagree with, and ask that it be changed. If the school refuses to change it, your e-mail/letter will serve as a document of your request. I don't worry too much about minutes being changed, because they are one-sided anyway. I always have a tape recording of the meeting, which can be transcribed and used as evidence. I will call another IEP meeting if necessary if actual services, methodology, accommodations/modifications or placement is not recorded accurately, this is very important.
Carol Sadler
Special Education Consultant/Advocate
GA Advocacy Office PLSP I Graduate
770-442-8357
1105 Rock Pointe Look
Woodstock, GA 30188
CarolSadler@bellsouth.net
www.IEPadvocate4You.com
CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVILEGED - Information contained in this communication is confidential and privileged. It is not meant to represent legal or medical advice, but rather advice given based on my knowledge as a trained Parent Advocate by the GA Advocacy Office, Council of Parent Advocates & Attorneys, CHADD, LDA, and the GA DOE Parent Mentor program as an invited guest. Please do not forward without my permission.
posted by Carol Sadler @ 1:13 PM
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