Sessions Offer Aid on Special Education Plans
By Sarah Reynolds, The Sun, Yuma, Ariz.
Jan. 9–When a child is diagnosed with a physical or mental disability, parents are faced with educational responsibilities and a pile of paperwork that can be overwhelming.
“Many of the families, they’re just not aware of the process,” said Robert Snyder, director of education and training for Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona. “The new ones especially. They’ve just been told that their child has a disability, by the school or by medical people, and they’re not aware of all their rights and responsibilities.”
Pilot Parents, a state training and information center funded by the U.S. Department of Education, tries to teach parents how to deal with those responsibilities.
On Tuesday, Pilot Parents’ representatives will hold two free workshops in Yuma to teach parents how to manage their child’s individualized education program (IEP).
Every child diagnosed as special needs is required by the federal government to have an IEP. It maps out the student’s educational goals for the school year and is developed by the family, school and in some cases medical professionals.
IEP plans are re-evaluated annually to make sure the child has met those goals.
Snyder said parents have to be vigilant about making sure their child’s IEP is being followed and met, or a special education student could get off track.
“They need to be aware that that’s a legal document and they need to see the school is carrying it out. One of the biggest complaints that the U.S. Department of Education receives is noncompliance with the IEP. Oftentimes, the goals that are written for the child are not measurable, so we can’t tell if they’re making any headway or not.”
Sarah Reynolds can be reached at sreynolds@yumasun.com or 539-6847.
IEP INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS TUESDAYM
Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona will hold two free workshop sessions Tuesday to help local parents manage their special education child’s individualized education program (IEP). — 10 a.m. to noon — Representatives will explore the essential components of IEP development: evaluation, team planning, resolving disagreements and writing measurable goals. — 2 to 4 p.m. — Individual sessions for parents to sit down personally with a Pilot Parents representative to go over their child’s IEP. A consultant will review it and offer suggestions. — Both sessions are free and held at Yuma Regional Medical Plaza, 1501 W. 24th St. — Pilot Parents asks that who plan to attend register by calling 1-520-324-3150 or toll-free 1-877-365-7220.
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Copyright (c) 2007, The Sun, Yuma, Ariz.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
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