112. Special Education Edition

Today I am talking about placement decisions on an IEP, Least Restrictive Environment, and Prior Written Notice. I also side note on supplementary aids and services as it pertains to the placement in the gen ed setting. A child’s placement in a general education classroom is always the first placement that should be considered when the IEP team is determining placement. The primary goal is that the student has the maximum opportunity to learn with children who do not have disabilities, in academic, nonacademic, and extracurricular activities. . This is what IDEA calls Least Restrictive Environment, or LRE for short. A student's placement needs to be considered annually for their IEP and it should always be the last thing the team determines after determining what the student needs to be successful in their educational setting. The student's needs drive the placement decision so those should always be developed in the IEP prior to determining placement. What if you don’t agree with the placement decision? What can you do? As outlined in IDEA procedural safeguards, you can request mediation or file a Due Process case and in many states, you can also file a State Complaint. During your child’s educational path, there may be times when the school makes decisions about your child’s education that you don’t agree with. When this happens, you have the right to request what is called a Prior Written Notice. This is a written communication from the school outlining its decisions and the reasons for their decisions. Prior Written Notice letters are always beneficial for you to have if you end up pursuing mediation, a State Complaint, or Due Process. Additional Resources: PRIVATE SISTERHOOD - Become part of a COMMUNITY that understands this parenting journey because we live it every day, just like you. Autism vs Autistic, A Mom's Perspective Special Education Things That You Should Know The Evaluation Process of Special Education The Eligibility Determination Meeting & The Differences of a 504 Plan and an IEP What is an FBA and Why Your Child Might Need One