Portman Janet - The complete IEP guide, [2014]: how to advocate for your special ed child

In Nolo you can trust.
THE NEW YORK TIMES

Nolo is always there in a jam as the nations premier publisher of do-it-yourself legal books.
NEWSWEEK

Nolo publications... guide people simply through the how, when, where and why of the law.
THE WASHINGTON POST

[Nolos]... material is developed by experienced attorneys who have a knack for making complicated material accessible.
LIBRARY JOURNAL

When it comes to self-help legal stuff, nobody does a better job than Nolo...
USA TODAY

The most prominent U.S. publisher of self-help legal aids.
TIME MAGAZINE

Nolo is a pioneer in both consumer and business self-help books and software.
LOS ANGELES TIMES

How to Advocate for
Your Special Ed Child

Attorney Lawrence M. Siegel

Siegel, Lawrence M., 1946- author.

The complete IEP guide : how to advocate for your special ed child / by Attorney Lawrence M. Siegel ; editor, Beth Laurence. -- Eighth Edition.

pages cm

Includes index.

ISBN 978-1-4133-2034-3 (pbk.) -- ISBN 978-1-4133-2035-0 (epub ebook)

1. Individualized education programs--Law and legislation--United States--Popular works. 2. Dispute resolution (Law)--United States--Popular works. 3. Special education--Parent participation--United States--Popular works. 4. Individualized education programs--United States--Forms. 5. United States. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. 6. Children with disabilities--Education--Law and legislation--United States. I. Laurence, Beth, editor. II. Title.

KF4209.3.S57 2014

371.90973--dc23

2013048066

This book covers only United States law, unless it specifically states otherwise.

Copyright 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2014 by Lawrence M. Siegel. All rights reserved. The NOLO trademark is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Printed in the U.S.A.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission. Reproduction prohibitions do not apply to the forms contained in this product when reproduced for personal use. For information on bulk purchases or corporate premium sales, please contact the Special Sales Department. Call 800-955-4775 or write to Nolo, 950 Parker Street, Berkeley, California 94710.

Please note

We believe accurate, plain-English legal information should help you solve many of your own legal problems. But this text is not a substitute for personalized advice from a knowledgeable lawyer. If you want the help of a trained professionaland well always point out situations in which we think thats a good ideaconsult an attorney licensed to practice in your state.

To the memory of my sweet daughter Catie; I see your beautiful smile and remember your wonderful and kind heart, every day of my life.

To my parents.

To my wife Gail, for that first day on the Wheeler steps, and ever since, her joyous smile, and

To my daughter Elisabeth, she inspires me with her energy and talent.

My appreciation to the entire Nolo staff, which, to a person, has always been professional and friendly and never seemed to feel those two concepts were incompatible.

Special thanks to Marcia Stewart for her superb editing, her patience as we worked through and wrote about the complexities of the IEP process, and her clear goal of making the IEP process friendly and useful for families of children with disabilities.

Thanks to Beth Laurence for her insight, patience, and devotion to children in special education.

Thanks also to my colleagues and friends on the California Advisory Commission on Special Education.

Lawrence Siegel has been a special education attorney and advocate since 1979, and has represented children with disabilities extensively in IEPs, due process, complaints, legal action, and before legislative and policy bodies. Mr. Seigel has consulted with parent groups throughout the U.S. and has worked directly with special education experts in Japan. As a Fulbright specialist, he worked in Sweden at the University of Stockholm. He teaches special education law at Hastings College of the Law, was on the California Special Education Advisory Commission for eight years, and has written and helped enact special education law in a number of states. He continues to travel the country giving workshops to families with children with disabilities. Mr. Siegel was given an endowed chair at Gallaudet University (20042005) in recognition of his work for children with disabilities and is also the author of Least Restrictive Environment: The Paradox of Inclusion (LRP Publications, 1994), The Human Right to Language (Gallaudet Press, 2008), and Nolos IEP Guide: Learning Disabilities.

All of the following appendixes are available on this books Companion Page on Nolos website (free for readers of this book) at

www.nolo.com/back-of-book/IEP.html

Appendix A: Special Education Law and Regulations

Appendix B: Support Groups, Advocacy Organizations, and Other Resources

Appendix C: The Severe Discrepancy Model

Appendix D: Sample IEP Form

Appendix E: Forms

Parents want the best for their children, and theyre instinctive advocates. When your child is a student in special education, however, that advocacy can be quite challenging. The IEP process is like a maze, involving a good deal of technical information, intimidating professionals, and confusing choices. For some families, it goes smoothly, with no disagreements. For others, it is a stressful encounter in which you and the school district cannot agree on anything. For most people, the experience is somewhere in between.

Whether you face a disagreement with your district or just want to be more informed about your rights, this book will assist you. It will explain the IEP process in great detail, including each step involved and the rights you and your child have in that process. It will teach you how to be an effective advocate for your child. This book provides you with all of the information you need, including: