Nolo's IEP Guide: Learning Disabilities

Table of Contents......Page 10
1. Introduction to Special Education for Children With Learning Disabilities......Page 16
A. What Is Special Education?......Page 17
B. Special Education and Learning Disabilities......Page 20
D. Using This Book......Page 21
F. Getting Help From Others......Page 23
2. Your Child’s Rights Under the IDEA......Page 24
A. What IDEA Requires......Page 25
B. Individualized Education Program......Page 36
C. State Special Education Laws......Page 40
D. Working With Your School District......Page 41
3. What Is a Learning Disability?......Page 44
A. Legal Definitions......Page 45
B. Scientific and Professional Definitions......Page 46
C. Does Your Child Have a Learning Disability?......Page 49
D. Learning Disabilities and the IEP Process......Page 52
4. Getting Started......Page 54
A. First Steps......Page 55
B. Obtain Your Child’s School Records......Page 61
C. Start an IEP Binder......Page 65
D. Keep Track of Deadlines......Page 71
5. Developing Your Child’s IEP Blueprint......Page 76
B. Preparing an IEP Blueprint......Page 78
D. What’s Next?......Page 86
6. Evaluations......Page 88
A. When Evaluations Are Done......Page 91
B. The Evaluation Plan......Page 92
C. Analyzing the Tests......Page 94
D. Approving, Rejecting, or Changing the Evaluation Plan......Page 99
E. Reviewing the Report......Page 105
F. Reevaluations......Page 107
7. Eligibility......Page 108
A. Eligibility Definitions......Page 111
B. Eligibility Standards for Children With Learning Disabilities......Page 113
C. Preparing for the IEP Eligibility Meeting......Page 116
D. Attending the Eligibility Meeting......Page 117
F. If Your Child Is Not Found Eligible for Special Education......Page 119
8. Gathering Information and Evidence......Page 122
A. Analyze the School District’s Information......Page 123
B. Chart Your Child’s Progress......Page 126
C. Explore Available School Programs......Page 128
E. Compare Your Blueprint With the Existing Program and Services......Page 132
F. Generate Additional Supporting Information......Page 135
G. Independent Evaluations......Page 136
9. Goals......Page 140
B. Developing Goals......Page 142
D. Writing Effective Goals......Page 144
10. Preparing for the IEP Meeting......Page 152
A. Schedule the IEP Meeting......Page 153
C. Organize Your Materials......Page 155
D. Draft Your Child’s IEP Program......Page 159
E. Establish Who Will Attend the IEP Meeting......Page 161
F. Final Preparation Concerns......Page 169
11. The IEP Meeting......Page 172
A. Getting Started......Page 174
B. Simple Rules for a Successful IEP Meeting......Page 175
C. Become Familiar With Your School’s IEP Form......Page 180
D. Writing the IEP Plan......Page 181
E. Sign the IEP Document......Page 187
F. Parent Addendum Page......Page 189
12. Resolving IEP Disputes Through Due Process......Page 192
A. Before Due Process: Informal Negotiations......Page 195
C. When to Pursue Due Process......Page 199
E. Using a Lawyer During Due Process......Page 201
F. How to Begin Due Process......Page 204
G. Prepare for Due Process......Page 206
H. Mediation Specifics......Page 207
I. Due Process Hearing......Page 212
J. Hearing Decision and Appeals......Page 223
13. Filing a Complaint......Page 224
A. When to File a Complaint......Page 225
B. Where to File a Complaint......Page 226
C. What to Include in a Complaint......Page 227
D. What Happens When You File a Complaint......Page 228
14. Lawyers and Legal Research......Page 230
B. Do You Need an Attorney?......Page 231
C. Finding an Attorney......Page 232
D. How Attorneys Are Paid......Page 237
F. Doing Your Own Legal Research......Page 240
G. Online Legal Research......Page 245
15. Parent Organizations......Page 248
A. Join a Parent Organization......Page 249
B. Form a Parent Organization......Page 250
Appendix 1: Special Education Law and Regulations......Page 252
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (Key Sections)......Page 253
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Key Regulations)......Page 276
Appendix 2: Federal and State Departments of Education......Page 282
Federal Department of Education Offices......Page 283
State Department of Education Offices......Page 285
Appendix 3: Support Groups, Advocacy Organizations, and Other Resources......Page 292
General Resources on Special Education......Page 293
Parent Training and Information (PTI) Centers......Page 295
Legal Resources on Special Education......Page 302
Resources on Learning Disabilities and ADD/ADHD......Page 303
Bibliography......Page 307
Appendix 4: The Severe Discrepancy Model......Page 308
Appendix 5: Sample IEP Form......Page 316
Appendix 6: Tear-Out Forms......Page 346
Request for Information on Special Education......Page 348
Request to Begin Special Education Process and Evaluation......Page 350
Request for Child’s School File......Page 352
Request to Amend Child’s School File......Page 354
Special Education Contacts......Page 356
IEP Journal......Page 358
Monthly IEP Calendar......Page 360
IEP Blueprint......Page 362
Letter Requesting Evaluation Report......Page 366
Request for Joint IEP Eligibility/Program Meeting......Page 368
Progress Chart......Page 370
Program Visitation Request Letter......Page 372
Class Visitation Checklist......Page 374
Goals Chart......Page 376
IEP Material Organizer Form......Page 378
IEP Meeting Participants......Page 380
IEP Meeting Attendance Objection Letter......Page 382
IEP Preparation Checklist......Page 384
Letter Confirming Informal Negotiation......Page 386
Letter Requesting Due Process......Page 388
Index......Page 390
Related Products......Page 410