Objectives for Preschool?

[aidonsmom]

I had my sons first IEP/transition from early intervention meeting. We disagreed so much that we didn't discuss objectives. We go back for a meeting with just the director, who was not present for this previous meeting. I would like to give her a rough draft of what I would like to see as Aidons objectives. Only problem is that he'll be in preschool. Does anyone have any suggestions on some adequate preschool objectives? Also, due to the disagreements, we asked for them to pay for another outside evaluation. They wouldn't do it; don't they have to? Unfortunatly a lawyer is beyond our means and I'm doing all I can with an advocate. Any feedback would be appreciated. ;)

[Lisa S]

Hi Aidon's Mom,
Yes, the school district has to either pay for an independent evaluation or defend their assessment as adequate, but you might have to take them to due process to force them to do it. Do you have health insurance? If so, that might be an easier way to have your child evaluated by outside experts. Many health insurance policies will pay for the initial evaluation of a small child, even if they will not pay for therapies of certain types.

Hope this helps,
Lisa

[aidonsmom]

Thank you for your reply, we have already had outside evaluations done for the initial meeting. We are going to bring someone else with us for the second observation and meet with the director at that time and see if we can get her to be flexible before we go to mediation. Any suggestions about how to go about that? Anything would be helpful. We may inevitably relocate if this district continues to be so rigid. Do you think bringing my own copy of objectives would be helpful? Thats alot of questions but any feedback would be great and hopefuly we are not the only one to find ourselves in a difficult districty... Thanks so Much :)

[mlwear]

What year of preschool is your child? Sometimes you can get lists of "what your child might be able to do before entering Kindergarten" these sorts of things can be helpful as far as Academics are concerned. What concerns do you have? Communication? Socialization? Behavior?

Believe me, I know how frustrating this can be. I also know that "momma bear" instinct. Keep in mind the school only has to provide an appropriate education for your child, not the best education for your child. It is sad, but that's the law. When talking to the school, never tell the school you want this or that, always say your child NEEDS this or that. I don't know your past experiences with your school. Are you just starting out? First, schools will try to take advantage of parents with preschoolers because often these parents haven't learned the system well enough to know how to fight and what to fight for. That being said, you may want to consider trying to lower the tension. Your child will be better off if the school likes you and your child (keeping in mind that you still get what he needs--I'm not saying just roll over). But, give them a chance. You can always reconvene an IEP meeting at any time if you don't think things are going well. You just have to ask. I would reschedule an IEP meeting. I would ask the teacher for a rough draft of her IEP and give her the objectives that you think your child NEEDS to have included.
Try to start fresh at the next IEP meeting. Be realistic with your expectations.
Getting an IEE does take a bit of manuevering. Personally, even with a very bad experience, I have not gone to the trouble. I hired someone to come in. I have also asked the school psychologist to observe and attend the IEP meeting. It kind of balances things out to have my psychologist and their psychologist there to discuss. They both have their own agenda, but it has worked for me. You are however entitled to an IEE at school expense if you jump through the hoops. It is your right.


http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/test.iee.steedman.htm

When parents and the school district disagree about the need for an independent educational evaluation (IEE), there are certain conditions in which a school district may be forced to pay for the evaluation. If the parents present an evaluation that the school district previously refused to conduct, the school district may be required to reimburse the parents for the costs of this evaluation - if it is determined that the evaluation provided information which impacted the child's education, services or placement.

Additionally, if the parents disagree with a school district evaluation and request an IEE at public expense, the school district must obtain the IEE and pay for it unless the school district requests a due process hearing and the hearing officer rules that the IEE is not needed. 34 C.F.R. 300.503.

In other words, the school district cannot simply refuse the parents' request for an independent evaluation. The district must consent to the IEE at public expense, or request a due process hearing and prove to a hearing officer that the school evaluation was sufficient. Finally, if a hearing officer orders an IEE during the course of a due process hearing, it will be conducted at public expense. Id.

I personally wouldn't consider getting an attorney this early in the game even if you had all the money in the world (unless there is something horrible going on). It makes the school defensive and hard to work with. An advocate is fine. NEVER go to an IEP meeting alone. Even if you just drag your next door neighbor with you as a warm body, that's better than going alone.
Study the laws. www.wrightslaw.com is a good starting point. The book Wrightslaw: Special Education Law is a great resource. I always take mine to IEP meetings. I have Post Its sticking out. I suggest even if you don't have anything to mark put 4-6 post it notes on various pages and subtly let the book be seen at the meeting.

I know this is so hard. Your child is the most important thing in the world.

Examples of my son's preschool objectives:
sort things that go together, opposites and words that rhyme
sequencing, multi-step directions, participating in group activities using visual/verbal prompts
write alphabet using tripod grasp
cut lines and shapes
follow rules of conversation (eye contacts, staying on topic, response to ?'s)

those are some. they need to be written so they are measurable.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

[mylittleone]

hi,

I would highly recommend taking an attorney to an IEP meeting.

We did that for my niece and the attorney kept everyone on track.
everyone present had no problem with an attorney being there.

I hope everything works out for you.

-mylittleone:)

[subfusca]

Does everyone have these types of problems with their IEP meetings?! What are the disagreements typically about? I will be going to our first IEP meeting next week with my 2.5 year old, and I am really trying to inform my self and prepare for it. Somehow, to me, it seems a bit overzealous to bring a lawyer to the first meeting. My concern is simply that my son will get the services and support that he needs. I am extremely worried about the IEP right now. I'm not quite sure what to expect. I won't be bringing a lawyer; but I may consider someone else . . .

[Ben'sDad]

I can only speak for my own situation. Almost 1 year ago, we set Ben's IEP with the school dept. In our case we had a very positive experisence. The meeting consisted of us, the head of the special needs dept., as well as the school system's ST and OT, we talked at length about what Ben was doing and not doing at the time, his history, what we were doing and not doing at home and the teachers and therapists sat with Ben for a long time during their eval of him. I think evryone agreed about the gaols that were set and we've been very pleased with his progress.

I would say that the bottom line is probably, remember no matter what all these people are telling you, it is still about your child, make sure you understand everything, and if you don't, speak up!!

[mlwear]

To answer your specific questions. In my experience, very few parents have actually retained attorneys. A good number will consult an advocate of some sort. Only a few bring the advocate to the IEP meeting. Parents that are very active in their child's education typically have a lot of expert opinoin, tests, observations--LOTS of documentation.
Most all parents who are highly concerned about their child's education (sadly, there are many who aren't) do have problems/disagreements with the IEP. Most are resolved by the team working together and making a compromise. Few go to mediation and/or due process.
The disagreements usually are over services and/or accomodations. One of the more common is one to one aide. Another is Occupational Therapy or more time in OT. Extended School Year services being provided. Things of that nature. Schools seem to be pretty good about working with goals and objectives. Here's the bottom line: the problem you'll run into with the schools often is THE BOTTOM LINE. They cannot say and are not supposed to consider the cost of a service while developing the IEP--, but they do. Services and accomodations that cost them more money are typically the problems.
This is all just from my experience and my knowledge of many parents of special needs kids. I am sure not everywhere is the same

Unless you are having a specific problem, I would not bring an attorney to an IEP meeting, esp. not early in developing the relationship with the school. You will likely come off as confrontational. You should assume that everyone wants what is best for your child. (However, ALWAYS keep in mind that your child will probably only get what he needs and not what is best and that you need to get things in specific writing. Most parents hit bumps in the road in the beginning, you will learn as time goes by) .
You may want to bring an advocate to the meeting. I see in your post that you are working with one. You are far ahead of most parents at this stage in the game.
Admin. can get very defensive if you start throwing around involving attorneys and due process. There is a time for that. But it usually isn't in the very beginning of your IEP process. I often hire a specialized advocate when there is a big issue (ex. Extended School Year) that I know I will need an expert to help me with the battle.
I'm not saying be wishy-washy, but remember that you will be working with this IEP team for a long time. Keep it friendly, but focused.
I have read of some parents finding success immediately by getting an attorney off the bat. So, I know it has worked for some.
A few rambling tips:
NEVER go to an IEP meeting alone. Try to get your spouse to attend, but if you can't just grab your neighbor or someone (technically, the person should have some knowledge of the child), you shouldn't be facing everyone from the school on your own. You will need someone to help you remember what was discussed and the school will know that they can't just claim they did or didn't say something. BUT, if it isn't in writing--it didn't happen. If it is important that something be carried out be sure they write it into the IEP or put it on the Prior Written Notice as a refused request. Ben'sDad's advice is right on target, if you don't understand, then speak up.
Always remember that the IEP is a "living document". It can always be changed. You just need to request another meeting.
I know this is a lot of scattered info. at one time and it probably doesn't make sense. Working with the schools is a lot to figure out sometimes. Get to know your school. They may be great and you won't have to worry with a thing. They may not be and you will have to step up your game.

.

[Lisa S]

I won't be bringing a lawyer; but I may consider someone else . . .

If you want to bring someone with you to an IEP meeting, that is your right. It would be better to let them know if you are bringing a lot of people so they are sure to have enough chairs in the conference room, though. For Catherine's first IEP meeting at her special preschool, it was just my husband and me, along with the preschool director, her preschool teacher, her speech and occupational therapists who worked with her at the preschool and the team of people who evaluated her. We had very little idea of what was going on in that first meeting, but the meeting went well and she got everything they said she needed. If it were me, I would try to bring at least one other person to help me remember what was said in the meeting. Also, you could bring a tape recorder and record the meeting in case you can't remember everything everybody is saying.

I just saw this clearly written information about IEP's for deaf children. Our kids are not deaf, but most of the IEP information is still the same. Here is a link to it:

http://www.raisingdeafkids.org/learning/rights/

Hope it helps. There are several topics there you can click on. I wish I had gone into Catherine's first IEP meeting knowing more even though that meeting went well. We have had later IEP meetings that did not go so well. We brought an attorney with us to a particularly contentious one and it can be well worth it in some situations, particularly if you want something for your child the school is unlikely to give easily.

Lisa