wow, that's quite a bit of stuff to go through. unfortunately, i have no experience with this stuff and no advice to give you, but i wanted to tell you good luck and that your commitment is amazing!

I've had some experience with the legal aspects of Special Ed. in schools.

I thought I just heard recently from the Autism Society of America, that there was a precedent case in which the district was made to pay completely for a unilateral placement of an Autistic child into a private school. The parent said it was the only place the child could get FAPE (a Free & Appropriate Public Education) and so placed the child there, unilaterally. The district disagreed. The parents won the case in a high court. So, you have a good precedent there.

It's the Autism Society of America. Check with them.

If you have a law school nearby, they often offer legal services free to the public, as practice cases for their students. You might check on that. Otherwise, you can get free advocacy through some place in San Francisco...I don't know, but I think it's the National Office of Civil Rights (OCR). They monitor whether districts are following the laws correctly in dealing with parents.

I, myself, as a parent of a Special Ed. child, had a beef with my child's district about the way they handled her Emotionally Disturbed IEP. I contacted the State Dept. of Education, the number listed on the rights paper required to be given to parents by the district. They did a formal investigation, charged the district with negligence, & made the district re-organize their Emotionally Disturbed section of Special Ed. It actually helped when her younger brother (also adopted) became Emotionally Disturbed a few years later!!
You might check that angle...is the district following all policies of their State Dept. of Education?

Make sure you don't sign any paperwork until you agree with it. Usually, not signing, or signing only the parts you agree to, keeps you in a position to negotiate better.

Usually, if you just make yourself troublesome enough for long enough, the district will get tired of you & give you what you want. That's the bottom line. So, good luck & don't give up!

hi
i tried to copy and paste this artical for you, but it did not work. I think it might help you. so...
Type in

The seattle Times

Search for the artical

"learning center a lifesaver"

Its all about what your going thru and the people who had the schools pay for thier childrens education :)

Thanks you everyone!!! Any other comments and support are still appreciated. I plan to attend the monthly school board meeting on Thursday to present to situation, if they will oblidge the request. I need to ask starting Monday when the agenda is released, then they consider other topics.

Hi Olismom
Well today is Tuesday and yesterday we went to look at a private school for Max as RECOMMENDED by the public school district.
The Dir of Special Ed told us at the IEP last Wednesday that it was the only option i.e. that the pubic schools in this area could not support Maxs' needs. As was already said it it their responsability to ensure Oliver recieve a FAPE and that means with NO expense to you. If they cannot provide that within public school then they must legally find an alternative. If the district has agreed that he must go back to the same school as last year then they have to pay for it. Is the move in his IEP , did you meet with the IEP team to discuss it?
You can request an IEE and the district has to copmply/pay for it.
I'm feeling for you sweetie. I'm sick right now and think my body is just saying "take it easy" as I've been emailing, calling ,etc etc for weeeks now. It takes it's toll but hang in there, you can do this!!!
love
Fiona

Maxiesmom, Congratulations on finding a school for your kid. We are considering moving to another district, but the timing in the Real Estate market is not the best for us now. I am waiting for a meeting with the officials hopefully Oct.30. I am collecting all my wepons, including I will go to the school board meeting on Thursday and talk for 3 minutes. I am waiting for return phone calls. You would think it wouldn't be such a big deal since " I am the only one in Dallas that has this problem" Oli is in private school and seems to like it, but he would rather stay home and watch TV and play video games. I look forward to a war with the school people since they make statements and then deny it. I now have a voice recorder that I am recording everything from this point on. I contacted my state legislator representative and the gal there is very sweet but I have run through the ranks and there is no more I can do until if they give me a meeting on Oct.30. We'll see.

What state are you in, Olismom???

Hugs,

gaylek11

Try this website:

http://www.tacanow.com/special-ed-law/closingthedeal.pdf

Hugs,

gaylek11

Ms Gaylek,

Than link is great. Thank you for that!!
Like you I am in the great state of Texas, Dallas in fact. I already know how the TEA complaint process works, and have had 2 substantiated items already. Do you know how the process goes? I am going to the monthly school board meeting this evening to read a 3 minute statement I have prepared. I will have an ARD on November 8, nearly 1 month after I hade to withdraw him from school. I had over 20 hours of ARD already, just for this kid, not to mention the 6 or so for my other one to get him a bit of speech that they CHEATED him out of. I just with they would give us the services, and save thelip service they present at the ARD to deny anything to help. Thanks Ms. G

Have you called these folks. Free legal advice from them and I've gotten good advice, too. : )

Advocacy, Inc.
7800 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite 171 E
Austin, Texas 78757
512-454-4816
1-800-252-9108

Hugs,

Gayle

I have not gone all the way with due process but did use mediation as a way to settle our differences. i found that attorneys or advocates are helpful to show you mean business and the return is greater than the cost. Plus, school districts don't like the threat of legal costs and would usually prefer to settle with parents. Eventually, they get the picture and as long as you are rasonable in your request, they will go along to avoid any conflict or being perceived as insensitive to your child's needs. Hang in there and make sure you have at least one friend in your IEP.