Fall matters - school's in

I've been quiet on this blog, due to an April move from Woodstock, Ill. to Columbia, S.C. Having settled here, I am certainly meeting a lot of parents and counselors who are deeply involved with students' IEPs.

In the absence of my personal involvement in a family member's schooling (because he "aged out" of special education), I have questioned my continuing involvement. Perhaps the best service I can offer now is supportive consulting and encouragement to students and parents.

It can be summed up in three words. "Never. Give. Up." Never give up on your child. Never, as in "no matter what".

Back in McHenry County, Ill., the Special Education District of McHenry County (SEDOM) is about to bite the dust. They cite dwindling enrollment. Well, their "enrollment" came from the public schools in McHenry County.

Some of the larger schools (ex., Woodstock District 200) began pulling out several years ago. I also thought it was strange that D-200 pulled out when its own Superintendent was the chairperson of SEDOM. Now there's a way to support an organization you chair. Right?

I'll be the first to admit that I am not qualified to analyze whether the former SEDOM students are getting the same or better services at D-200, for the same or less money. With the pay scales at D-200, I can hardly imagine that cost-per-student went down or that specialized services at the same level as SEDOM were provided.

Good luck to the parents in finding the right services in McHenry County.

IEP problems?

This article may be too late for this year's IEP season, but it's useful information, so save it and pass it along to other parents of children/students with special needs at school.

WrightsLaw is an invaluable resource. This week's e-newsletter features the following titles:

* Endless problems with IEPs? How to resolve disputes

* Get a handle on IEP team disputes

* Avoiding methodology disputes

* Don't agree with the school's IEP? Find out what to do!

* Can a General Ed teacher duck out early from the IEP meeting?

Go to www.wrightslaw.com and sign up for the freee, weekly e-newsletter from Pete and Pam Wright. Search their site for these and other helpful articles.

Their printed materials are great, too.

Remember; the IEP team is supposed to be a TEAM! Too often, parents are made to feel like they are merely observers or bystanders.