Before a special needs child is legally able to receive provisions, accommodations, and support services from the public school district, he or she must qualify for special education status under the guidelines of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). This act allows disabled children to receive a public education that is free, appropriate, and conducted in the least restrictive environment possible. Parents of children with disabilities have specific rights in regard to the evaluation and identification procedures employed by the school district. Though most adults are faced with a great deal of worry when learning that their child may have a disability, IDEA thoroughly outlines the principles of special education for parents.
Parents of children with disabilities can gain basic knowledge of IDEA by studying the main objectives of the act. Though IDEA covers a multitude of legal procedures and provisions, the following points are particularly useful for parents of special needs children:
--Parents are entitled to work with the school district in determining the most appropriate educational, behavioral, and social interests of the special needs child. Parents are always included as part of the IEP (Individualized Education Program) team, as are students aged 14 or older.
--Parents can request that the school district evaluate their child in order to determine if a disability is present. If a teacher, school counselor, or other professional refers a child for evaluation, the process will not begin until a parent gives written consent.
--The disabilities that are covered under IDEA include autism, emotional disturbance, developmental delay, intellectual impairment, and physical impairment. A child is officially eligible for IDEA provisions if he or she is determined to have a disability that hinders performance in the mainstream classroom to the degree that the child requires special accommodations.
--Special education evaluations must be conducted during the 30-school day time period following the provision of written parental consent. Evaluation tools can include a Functional Behavioral Assessment, IQ tests, and psychological assessments.
--An introductory IEP meeting is scheduled after the evaluation process is completed, and parents are entitled to receive a complete evaluation report no later than two days prior to the meeting.
--Children who are eligible for special education will begin to receive support services as soon as the IEP is signed by all team members. Students are re-evaluated by the school district every three years, and parents must provide written consent each time an evaluation is due.
--Parents are entitled to seek an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) for their child if they do not agree with the school district's assessments. The IEE is performed by a professional who does not work for the school district.
IDEA is a federal act that protects the rights of both special education students and their families. Parents who take the initiative to educate themselves on IDEA guidelines are better able to contribute to their child's success in school.