IEP

IEP's are Individual Education Plans that are designed to enhance the childs learning experience in school. However, going through the process myself, I feel they are more designed for schools not the children. It is needless paperwork that requires input we already had on hand. They required testing that was already compiled in our files, yet they had to do their own "research." Funny enough, they came up with the same outcome. Hmm... interesting.

Then the meetings come, and "we" are to discuss what "we" would like to see being accomplished to better Jeremiah. "We" meaning the school, not school and parents. This is our son, you would think that they would require our input, however, they are more interested in their agenda than whats best for Jeremiah. Currently, his IBI (Intensive Behavioral Intervention) ended just in August 2005 and was transferred to Developmental in September. IBI was in place the last 3 years due to his aggression, anger, running and hiding, etc. behaviors that needed to be constantly supervised and redirected. Unfortunately, State law gave Health and Welfare guidelines that allowed them to make their own interpretation of the law. Therefore, H & W put a 3-year cap on the recipients of IBI services regardless of each individuals diagnosis and continued need. They have and will make no exceptions. They don't know "who" needs or requires the service and yet why do they have the ability to put an end to the services that were benefiting our child. They don't live in our home, nor deal with its effect on a daily account but they have the ability to determine he doesn't need it?! WHY?

So, when we approached the school "IEP team" that includes, the classroom teacher, principal, counselor, Speech/Language Pathologist, Resource teacher and school psychologist, about the fact that Jeremiah is still needing an Aide or constant supervision, they baulk, because they feel it's unnecessary. I also spent time in the classroom with him to help the teacher, who agrees that he needs an aide, and I clearly know that it IS necessary or it is a distraction to the teacher and his peers, especially when he bolts out of the classroom and the teacher doesn't have assistance. For safety reasons alone, if anything else, I require that the school provide an aide. Added note: If the principal doesn't understand the complexity of the situation he/she will listen to the resource teacher more than the classroom teacher. After our meeting and an hour after I left the school because the school thought t'was unnecessary to have me stay, Jeremiah kicked two girls and hit a boy twice in the face. Unnecessary, huh?

Ironically enough, the school tells me they don't have enough funds for an aide. Yet, with all the farm land in this area going to developments and the school district getting paid for those that are "special needs" and on an IEP, there is clearly a mismanagement of funds because there should be an aide available at all times! The school's resolution to the aide problem is either I come in to help or that one of his peers help him. WHAT?! If his primary problem is socially, and the peer would be taken away from their own schoolwork, why is this a good resolution?

The other thing I didn't realize is that when a child is on an IEP and they "graduate," the school district doesn't fully recognize them as "graduates." Therefore, they aren't handed an official diploma. Regardless of each of their disabilities, if they attend the same school, do the same work, meet all the requirements and take all the tests, they should receive the same diploma!

Interestingly, one of the first days that Jeremiah attended public school in October I overheard the counselor say to one of the resource aides right after meeting me: "Don't worry about what she said, she's just an overprotective parent." To her dislike, I just happened to be standing right behind her when she said it. Personally, I would much rather be called an overprotective parent than one that "goes along" with the school/school district with what they deem best for our son. They have regulated everything in our schools, taken away our foundation of education that was given by our fore fathers and now our rights are gradually being stripped away. When will it stop? When will we stop it?