IEP For as much time as I spending talking and teaching parents about IEPs, I don’t think I’ve ever actually explained what an IEP and FAPE is. If your child is struggling at school (and not just academics!) then perhaps someone has suggested that you pursue an IEP for your child. The IEP process itself…
FAPE Special Education? “My district wants me to sign away FAPE! Why would I do that?!?!” I often get emails and messages with this question and quite often the moms are in a panic. I get it–I mean, after all, you fought so long and hard for your child to receive FAPE, why in the…
Updated Special Ed Information for Shutdown I’m telling you. Every week, I think “Ok, that’s it. Now the IEP issues should be quiet for a while.” And then, something else comes up. Now that I’ve answered this question three times, felt I should address it. Here’s the issue: Some schools are sending PWNs to parents,…
Extended School Closings and FAPE Blech. I don’t even know where to begin. All at the same time, things are moving so rapidly, and yet it feels like time is standing still. This is a post full of duplicate information that I’ve had to repackage for several reasons. One being–the information has changed since I…
Special Factors in the IEP Most of the questions that we receive as educational advocates are about the implementation of the IEP. Let’s face it. It is not an easy document to understand at times because of it’s length and format. But there are the special factors on an IEP that you should be considering…
Private Schools and IEPs This topic makes me sad. Because it’s so super deflating for parents. Many times, attending a private school is a tradition for families. Then, they have a child who requires an IEP. That brings on their private school reality check, as far as private schools and IEPs and special education. So…
FAPE This is a disturbing trend. I have recently had conversations with several different parents who are unfamiliar with the term FAPE. I even had one claim that “FAPE isn’t a term that we use in my state.” First, yes it is. Second, every parent needs to understand what FAPE is. It is the cornerstone…
6 Principles of Special Education I have to open this post with a shout out to blog reader Mike T. He emailed me, as a link to this post and the printable was gone. I searched and searched and sure enough, he was right. So, starting over. Because the 6 Principles of IDEA and Special…