educational info

Educational Information

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN YOUR CHILD'S IEP MEETING
(contd.)

YOUR CHILD SHOULD RECEIVE APPROPRIATE NON-ACADEMIC AND EXTRACURRICULAR SERVICES

Adaptive physical education (if unable to participate in regular physical education).

Music, art, home economics 

Other non-academic subjects that other children in your school are receiving.
Recreational opportunities that other children in your school are receiving.

IF YOUR CHILD NEEDS A SUMMER PROGRAM

If your child needs a summer school program, a recommendation for the program must be written into the IEP before your child can participate.

In a 1980 letter to Congressman Butler Derrick, former Secretary of Education Shirley M. Hufstedler wrote concerning summer school requirements:

"...Part B of EHA (Education of the Handicapped Act P.L. 94-142) does not mandate that all handicapped children receive special education and related services on a twelve-month basis. Part B of EHA does, however, require that each handicapped child [be] provided special education and related services in accordance with an individualized education program developed for that child...

APPROPRIATE RELATED/SUPPORTIVE SERVICES MUST BE PROVIDED TO MEET YOUR CHILD'S NEEDS AS INDICATED IN THE IEP.

THESE CAN BE:

Speech and language services.
Psychological services, social work services, counseling services.
Special readers, braillists, typists, and interpreters.
Physical and occupational therapy, and other necessary therapeutic services.
Consultative services.
Supportive institutional services.
Medical Services for evaluation and diagnostic purposes, and school health nurses.
Parent counseling and training.
Resource centers.
Transportation services.
The need for related services is determined by an appropriate evaluation of the child's needs. If you feel your child is in need of a specific related service, you should request an evaluation in that specific area.

The IEP should state needed related service, the date of the initiation of the service, and the anticipated duration of the service. It should also state how many times per week, and for how many minutes the service will be rendered, and by whom. The IEP should also state whether the service will be provided on a one-to-one basis, in a group, or only by consultation with the classroom teacher.

Example:

Physical Therapy for 20 minutes daily on a one-to-one basis with the Physical Therapist; Speech Therapy for 30 minutes daily in a group of 3 children with the Speech Therapist; Occupational Therapy on a consultation basis with the teacher 10 minutes per week.

When requesting related services, you should base your request on the premise that your child needs a given service in order to benefit form his/her educational program.

BEFORE THE IEP MEETING

ATTEND A CCHC SPECIAL EDUCATION RIGHTS TRAINING SESSION
(Call 312-939-3513 [Illinois] for more information.)

OBTAIN A COPY OF THE FEDERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS ON P.L. 94-142. and our state "Rules and Regulations on Special Education."  You can request a copy from the local school district, the Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, the Office for Civil Rights, or the State Education Agency. Read pertinent portions, underline the most significant sections and make your own index of important sections for easy reference.

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