Can an I.E.P. be done anywhere else than in a public school?

Question

I live in Florida and am have EXTREME difficulty with the school district. My child has a learnging disablity and needs what's called and I.E.P. (or Individualized Education Program). The public school district absolutely refuses to help me because of their politcal beliefs and that he's going to a private school. Where else can I turn???

NO MORE MORE POLITICS PLEASE!!! PUBLIC SCHOOLS ONLY MAKE KIDS HAVE TO LAG IN EDUCATION OK. I MEAN WE SPEND $11,500 PER STUDENT TO ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS. DON'T GIVE ME THE "PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE GREAT" CRAP. IF THEY WERE SO GREAT WE WOULDN'T NEED PRIVATE ONES THAT ARE SMALLER AND HAVE BETTER TEACHERS THAT ACTUALLY HAVE TO COMPETE AND BE ABLE TO GET FIRED! TENURE FOR TEACHERS IS CRAP! NO MATTER HOW BAD A TEACHER IS THEY CAN'T GET FIRED??! YEAH, LET THAT HAPPEN TO A DOCTOR AND IT'D START A RIOT!

SO NO MORE PUBLIC SCHOOL WHINERS OKAY!

Answer 1

put your son into the nearest public school and request they test him, they might and they might not, but he must be in a public school first. they might refer him to a student study team to try interventions in his classroom first. most school districts will do testing if a parent requests it, but keep in mind, that MOST cases where a parent does the request, the child does not qualify. not because they dont want him, but because he does have the necessary qualifications for services. you can always go to the district level and schools will usually comply as they do not want a lawsuit on their hands.d request testing.

Answer 2

The mandate for providing an appropriate educational program applies to the public school. Private schools are not required to follow IEP plans and can refuse students who apply. In PA some private schools have become APS (Apporved Private Schools) allowing them to be paid tuition by a public school district that does not have facilities to provide for a student.

If your child is to young for public school you could request early intervention testing through your county education authority.

If you put your son in public school, you can demand an evaluation (has this been done? who has diagnosed the learning disability so far?). A meeting is then held with parents at school to discuss results and possible IEP options. If the public school district cannot provide a placement for your son they can send him to a private school approved by the state for special needs.
As a public school parent you can appeal decisions and get a lawyer etc.

There are a lot of questions you need to consider in deciding the right path:
How old is your son? How is he doing in the private school? What LD does your son have? or what do you think he has? How are you addressing this at home and at the private school?

You could get testing on your own if you have the $$ and have occupational therapist, physical therapist, educational psychologist, or tutors work with him to teach skills to be a better learner if he is managing to do alright in the private school.

If you do not believe in public education and have no confidence in public schools or the beliefs of persons involved with public schools - why are you demanding help from them?

Answer 3

You'd have to enroll him in public school. In OK if you're child is enrolled in public school and the parent requests that testing be done to determine if there is a disability then the school district must do the testing and pay for it. If a disability is established then the school has to provide FAPE, free and appropriate public education. Which means they have to provide the modifications/accommodations for the student to be successful whether that means modified work, modified grades, special education classes just to name a few. You should be able to call your local school district and speak to the Special Services Director or whoever is in charge of Special Education to link you in the right direction.

Answer 4

Please consider this. You are asking a school district to make decisions, to create an Individual Educational Plan customized for your child's needs to be carried out OUTSIDE of their district control. Do you REALLY think that is reasonable? I agree with the other advise of enrolling your child in the public school. If your child qualifies, they have to proceed in the IEP process. Once this is done and you see how the professionals plan on following through with the goals and objectives... maybe THEN you can take that information to the private school and ask if they are capable of following through with meeting your child's special needs. In the public school system, parents have a lot of power. Educate yourself in the process, learn the time lines and follow through. You may want to look for an advocacy group to support you. Good luck! OH! Please be patient. Those of us that work in special ed have several students to care for and we are only human.

Answer 5

OK you don't want public school. That leaves private school, tutoring and homeschooling. Is there another choice?