Ask an Expert: Judy Goddess
Using California School Law To Advocate For Your Kids

Now that my daughter has an Individual Education Plan (IEP), can I trust that the school will hold to the terms of the agreement?

Both the parent and the school must sign the IEP, which is considered a contract with contractual obligations. Unfortunately, even after both parties have agreed to the IEP service plan, your work is not done. For various reasons, the school may be unable to honor the terms of the IEP. For example, the teacher may be reluctant to modify her teaching methods; your daughter may be unable to meet the academic requirements identified in the IEP; the district may be unable to hire enough well-trained special education teachers to meet the need, etc.

Because school districts have limited resources to devote to special education, the process can sometimes become contentious. For this reason, I suggest that you don't attend the IEP meetings alone. Bring an ally or advocate, as well as someone who is familiar with your daughter and her learning problems.

You may also need to find an outside advocate to aid you in finding appropriate services for your daughter. Start with Schwab Learning at www.SchwabLearning.org. Schwab concentrates on helping parents of children with learning disabilities develop strategies for working with their children and the schools. The site can also connect you with other parents facing the same challenge. Another resource is www.Wrightslaw.com, a free, weekly email newsletter with extensive information on how to advocate for a child in special education. You can also order a copy of the state's guidelines for special education by writing the Sales Office of the California Department of Education Press, PO Box 271, Sacramento, CA 95812-0271. Request a copy of California Department of Education: A Composite of Laws, which is free to parents of students in special education, and available for purchase by other parents.

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