On requesting independent evaluation, the school says I have to wait for the ARD meeting to request it..?

Question

Because this is the procedure. I dont think so!! Is this right? I didnt agree with the evaluation they did..and my question is if we are going to the meeting with the wrong information, how will we come up with the right IEP??? This is my first IEP meeting. please advice on next step.

This is in TX

ARD is the IEP meeting & we disagreed on the label.

Answer 1

Yes you need to wait for the ARD/IEP meeting.

At that meeting, the diagnostician who made your first evaluation (that you disagree with) must be given the chance to enter his/her results and explanations for those results into the ARD minutes. Then, you can express your disagreement ... "I feel my child is stronger in these areas, and/or weaker in these other areas... because I have observed these things at home" ... and formally make your request for the schools to accept an independent evaluation to provide a second opinion. Have a written letter making the request as well, to submit at that point in the meeting. The schools MUST accept your request at that time. The meeting should be tabled immediately at that point with a "program will be continued as is until the independent evaluation results are available."

http://school.familyeducation.com/special-education/ada/38440.html

http://concordspedpac.org/RequestEval.htm

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

Answer 2

Are you saying that you already had a meeting with the school to go over test results and you disagree with it? Then NO you do not have to have another meeting before you request the independent eval. They said this because they are going to try to talk you out of it.

At the meeting to go over their test results, did you make up an IEP plan then?
If so, you can change the IEP at any time and use the new results from the independent eval to make changes.

Do not have another meeting at all until the school has the independent eval done and THEN have another meeting to discuss results of the NEW evaluation (independent eval) and use these results in writing up the IEP plan.
It's not a good idea to even write an IEP plan without first having the results of the independent eval.

If there is already another meeting set up, cancel it and say you want to reschedule when the results of the independent eval are in.

write a letter address to district special ed director, stating "I am requesting an independent educational evaluation by public expense because I disagree with the districts evaluation'
This is the exact legal words that are in IDEA laws.

An independent evaluation request is NOT suppose to be put into the IEP plan.

When you write the letter requesting the independent eval, the school has ONLY 2 choices. Either do it or file for due process hearing to prove their own testing is sufficient. And I've NEVER heard of a school trying to prove their own testing was sufficient.

When you make this request, please do it in writing. And when they get your letter, they can not DELAY getting this done.

Answer 3

Yes usually you have to wait to get a second opinion or independent evals. The school is only required to get the eval done so they won't be in any hurry to get ya another one. As far as developing the IEP it'll will have to be kept real simple and basic until things are agreed upon. I'd ask if the independent eval could be put on the IEP and make sure your concerns are noted in it as well. DO NOT SIGN IT IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH IT!! Just out of curiousity what did you disagree with??

Answer 4

I've been involved in Special Education for 14 yrs now with my child and I don't know what ARD is.But I do know if you make a request in writing the school/district must comply.Also, if you do an IEP, if theres something you don't like that they put in or try to coerse, don't sign it.Once you sign, its a legal document.
As for what services and recommendations to put in the IEP, it all depends upon the needs of the child.

Heres a couple of accommodations I have in my sons---
Due to being easily irritated, he can take short breaks to cool off.
He can ask for a self timeout
For testing, he has someone to help him write.They must print exactly as he states it.
Has a tutor to help with reading
To help from being distracted while doing school work, if hes appropriate and doesn't distract others,he can use cd player,ipod with headphones.

Answer 5

It is a parent's right to request testing for logistical purposes for special education support. You can't just request testing because you want to see how brilliant your child is. Make sure you have good reasons as to why he/she should be tested. See if his/her teacher(s) agree with what you are seeing. It is amazing the differences you and teachers may see. He/she may be doing well in school but you may be seeing a "devil in disguise" at home.

When the meeting is in place to go over the evaluations, you want to compare the child's aptitude test (IQ/cognitive testing) to that of the achievement testing (the test that shows how they are doing academically). If there is more than a 22-point descrepency between the two tests then special education services can be applied. HOWEVER, this descrepency has to be significant. "Normal" results range from 90-110 (give or take 5 points).

At the meeting, it is a TEAM decision as to the next step. The TEAM is comprised of the parents, test administrators, teachers, and other valuable resources. You may not all agree on services. When I give achievement testing, I alway include that the parents should share the results with the child's physican. If you don't agree on the testing, then show your child's doctor. He/she can help you decide what you may want to do.

If push comes to shove, then you may want to take a look at outside testing. A neuropsychologist is one that I've dealt with in the past at many high ranking hospitals in my area. Make sure they are accredited and not a quack! I can't tell you how many wackos will give misleading information just to make a quick buck. If you do decide to go that route, insurance may/may not pay for it. Regardless, bring the school's results with you. This doctor does not know your child and they can see information in the reports to help them with their assessments.