112. Special Education Edition

Today I am talking about placement decisions on an IEP, Least
Restrictive Environment, and Prior Written Notice.  I also
side note on supplementary aids and services as it pertains to
the placement in the gen ed setting.  


A child’s placement in a general education classroom is always
the first placement that should be considered when the IEP team
is determining placement.  The primary goal is that the
student has the maximum opportunity to learn with children who do
not have disabilities, in academic, nonacademic, and
extracurricular activities.  . This is what IDEA calls Least
Restrictive Environment, or LRE for short.


A student's placement needs to be considered annually for their
IEP and it should always be the last thing the team determines
after determining what the student needs to be successful in
their educational setting.  The student's needs drive the
placement decision so those should always be developed in the IEP
prior to determining placement.


What if you don’t agree with the placement decision? What can you
do?  As outlined in IDEA procedural safeguards, you can
request mediation or file a Due Process case and in many states,
you can also file a State Complaint.


During your child’s educational path, there may be times when the
school makes decisions about your child’s education that you
don’t agree with. When this happens, you have the right to
request what is called a Prior Written Notice.


This is a written communication from the school outlining its
decisions and the reasons for their decisions.


Prior Written Notice letters are always beneficial for you to
have if you end up pursuing mediation, a State Complaint, or Due
Process.


Additional Resources:


PRIVATE SISTERHOOD - Become part of a COMMUNITY that understands
this parenting journey because we live it every day, just like
you.


Autism vs Autistic, A Mom's Perspective


Special Education Things That You Should Know


The Evaluation Process of Special Education


The Eligibility Determination Meeting & The Differences of a
504 Plan and an IEP


What is an FBA and Why Your Child Might Need One