In practice, not in law, do principals w/o spec ed cert overrule local spec ed staff's recommendations?

Question

Best practices and law say "no." I am asking about in reality, inclusive of the principal's power over personnel matters that exerts pressure upon staff.

Answer 1

In reality, a principal usually has the actual power over sp. education teachers--whether the principal has any special education qualifications or not. and--also in practice-he/she will have the support of higher-ups.

It is also true in reality that principals and school administrations can--and in many school disctricts do--violate the law knowingly--and get away with it. As written, there are no penalties for doing so--the most that will happen is that--if a parent takes the school to court--they may be ordered to correct a specific situation. But the educational administrators will not be sanctioned, even to the extend of a reprimand in their file--and this immunity from accountability is written into the laws--the IDEA snd the ADA.

Which is whay the laws are a sham--and students in most (not all-there are rare exceptions here and there) schools are getting little or no education under special education programs--people with disabilities are still second-class citizens--legally and in fact.

Answer 2

They could. That's when you call an IEP meeting and request by letter that the director of special services for your district be there. Send it to teacher, principal, and the director himself. Please send certified so you can guarantee that they received it.

The director needs to know this is going on, and once that happens the principal will usually snap up. At the meeting present the data you have been keeping about who did what, when and where and why. Request all that the principal decides about services in writing, so that you also have that as evidence. You have to have HARD evidence with proof that he is denying recommendations.
Good luck

Answer 3

The principals can if they are acting in the role of administrator for the meeting. If this is a problem for you, I would consult with your special ed director. The director can either consult with the principal or suggest who might be administrator for future meetings.

Answer 4

Principles often are power-hungry little idiots with little education experience, just administrative training. You'd be suprised how many count coaching as their only teaching experience.
I'd call the state regulatory board and file a complaint.

Answer 5

crabby blindguy is right on! 100% correct!
To get more comments on this, go to www.schwablearning.org and sign up for free to post on their parent to parent message board.
Absolutely the BEST place for these type of problems!!

Answer 6

The answer is sometimes.

Good Luck!!!