Hello Cathy,

Thank You for your reply, I take all advise very serious! I have done all that you had advised since months ago and still nothing made a difference. She has still continued to be a Huge B!!!
I want to start my own chapter here in Silver City N.M. what needs to be done. What other advise can you give me, the school year is coming to an end and I dont want her to think that I have given up, and why should I have to keep driving 50 miles away from home. DeVonne is suppose to be going into the 5th grade I hope and I have Tarance who will be going into the third grade right along side with my only daughter, so if my two younger ones should need any kind of special ed accomidations this Pam Fenstamaker has to be involved HELP ME.

Please get yourself an advocate to bring to your meetings. Is there a special education PTA in your school district? You may want to start one if there isn't. If there is, you should contact it, and get to know other parents. You must document all your requests in writing. If it's not in writing, it doesn't exist. Tape your IEP meetings.There are many special education websites you can access. Don't know if I'm allowed to mention them here. You can google. Go on to your State Education Department's Website and get the regulations. Learn what your rights are. Put everything in writing. I secretly audiotape conversations. It's allowed in my state as long as the person taping is a participant in the conversation. Learn about prior written notice and ask your school district to provide it. Knowledge is power. You need to learn what your rights are. In the meantime, see if you can find an advocate to help you in getting the services for your child. You should not have to transport your child to school. I believe it is your school district's responsibility to provide transportation to any program that your child attends within a certain radius of the school. Contact your state education department and find out who handles special education complaints. There are many ways to rattle your school district's cage. I have never stopped fighting for my child, who is autistic, but due to my constant advocacy on her part, she has gotten the services I have requested, and most people would not know that she has a disability. I am very hated by my school district, whose administrators are corrupt. I constantly keep at them. They thought they could wear me out but they haven't so far. You are more powerful than you know. It's not your job to have these people like you. It's your job to get the services for your children. Have you complained to your school district's superintendent? What about your Board of Education? The squeaky wheel gets oiled, start squeaking!

Thank You so much for your info, I to record the IEP that we have had. I have done so much for my son and no one seems to care but me. I am at a point where I really want to go to the local media and news paper but I'm not sure if it will get me into some kind of trouble!!!What else is there for me to do. I have done alot.

Hi Carmen,

Think carefully before going to the media. It should really be last resort because you and your kids will lose all privacy and, depending on the reporter, any article or newscast could end up slanted in the school's favor. I have also seen a public backlash against parents from both parents of kids in general ed and those in special ed. And your kids may feel some of it from their classmates because their disabilities will be out in the open. I'm not saying it's never warranted, but just think it over well.

Does your state have its own special ed regulations or do they just use IDEA? Either way, document carefully what they've done to violate the regs. You need to get with other parents in the district. If the school is violating the same regs, you may be able to file a 504 complaint. And there is no reason a press release can't be sent out at the same time or if OCR actually takes it on.

Also talk to parents in other districts. Is this a problem on a larger level? If so, get a group together and start meeting with legislators. Bring pictures of your kids to give the issue a face. Keep telling them what is wrong. Make sure you talk to the members of any legislative education committee. If this turns out to be more of a statewide problem, then going public with many parents may be the way to go. If it truly is a district only issue, and if you decide there are enough parents with the same or similar issues, then going public locally is an option. Just rememebr, once your info is out there, you can't take it back.

Again, I'm not trying to discourage you, I just want you to be prepared.

Good luck and keep us updated.

Cathy

Hello,

Without attracting much or any attention from district or school, what would be a good way to start asking questions. I want to start finding out how other parents feel. I have lots of papers from my sons issues with school and now if I could get other parents to come forward that would be great. I just dont know how!!!!!!!

Try going to the top. Your State Education Dept. Secretary of Education. See if you can get some help there. You could also hire a special education attorney . You need to get someone involved who knows your rights and can get your district to comply. Also, it may be helpful for you to do some research. Go onto special ed. websites. Wrightslaw is excellent as well as Reed Martin. Nolo's IEP Guide is also a good resource. Keep documenting everything in writing and tape all your meetings. In my state we can also tape conversations that we are involved in without the other person knowing. If your state allows for this, tape any telephone calls that you have with your district. Also make sure you tape all your IEP meetings. If you decide to get an attorney, you'll be glad that you documented everything. This also means putting all your requests in writing. Good luck

http://www.ped.state.nm.us/sec.of.ed/
wrightslaw.com
http://www.reedmartin.com/
http://www.nolo.com/product.cfm/ObjectID/53269B09-7112-4E95-A90F8979BEA1F73A/118/

If you know who some parents are, just start talking about another subject. Maybe discussing dentists who work well with kids. And after everyone is relaxed and not fearing an inquisition, start talking about services your kid gets... not what you want, but what he's getting. Maybe they will open up about their kid's services and one thing may lead to another.

If you don't know who the parents are, call your local Center for Independent Living and find out if there are special ed advocacy organizations in your area. You could let them know what's going on and maybe they could give your name to some parents in your district. Or try contacting your local ARC or educational advocates. Is there a special olympics in your area? Any other activities for kids with disabilities? Or any activities for kids? It's just a matter of starting to talk to parents. Eventually you'll connect.

Cathy

Also, try your state Protection and Advocacy organization. They are federally funded and free to families of individuals with disabilities. The one for New Mexico is:

ADDRESS:Protection & Advocacy, Inc
1720 Louisiana Blvd., NE - Suite 204
Albuquerque, NM 87110
PHONE: 505-256-3100 VOICE/TDD 800-432-4682 (IN STATE)
FAX: 505-256-3184
E-MAIL: info@nmpanda.org
WEBSITE: http://www.nmpanda.org

Tonya