Understanding Your IEP Parents Rights

By Olivia Cross


If any child is not at grade level or is having trouble learning in school, an individualized education plan or IEP team meeting is required. This is a civil rights law designed to protect children. It requires a school district to provide what is needed for that student to get the education that is their right. It is important that you know your IEP parents rights.

The IDEA or Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, is a law designed for children who are learning disabled. Some school districts are not very forthcoming when it comes to providing resources they are mandated by law to provide. For this reason it is vital that parents know how to advocate for their children.

Every district is required to give your child a free assessment in all suspected areas that may be learning disabled. These areas include the ability to meet potential, attention deficit problems, hearing, health, vision, grade level success, emotional and social behavior, and fine and gross motor skills. Once the assessment is completed the school is required to call an IEP eligibility meting to determine if a child meets all criteria for services for special education.

If the student is found eligible for the services he or she now belongs to a protected class. The district is now required by law to provide the student with services. If a student is not deemed eligible for services, the district does not have to provide any additional learning resources.

Once deemed eligible, the district in required to develop a plan laying out the services, goals, and resources that are needed for the child. When the plan has been developed, the district is required to implement the IEP for the child. This means that the child remains in a general education classroom and is provided push in or pull out services. These services will ensure that the child can catch up and receives the benefits of education.

It is sad to say that some school districts often keep students from being identified as special education services eligible. This happens because there are districts that prefer not to put money out for students with learning troubles. It is a general opinion that many school limit the budget for special ed services on purpose. It is interesting to note that in all IEP team meetings one member is responsible for budgetary concerns.

A child with learning disabilities is in a protected class and is to be treated equally receiving educational benefits. This consists of getting important supplementary resources so they are able to learn to the extent that the other children do in their class. The IDEA is not like other civil rights laws in that it requires parents to enforce the rights of their children.

Parents must know the law to ensure the rights of their children. Often parents are told that their child does not meet the eligibility requirements for special education resources. Although school districts are required to provide the services, the politics of the school board overrides the law. It is up to the parents to fight for their rights.




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