#LDchat Archive
Understood holds this weekly Twitter chat that aims to keep the momentum going and raise awareness of learning and attention issues. Follow along with hashtag #LDCHAT and follow users @understoodchats & @understoodorg. Experts will be available to answer your questions and concerns and share resources from Understood.org.
Wednesday June 1, 2016
Welcome to today’s LD Chat! This is Dan with the Understood team. I'll be moderating the chat with .
Today, we’ll be talking about parent and child rights with our special co-host, Lindsay Jones ().
Lindsay is the Vice President and Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer for the National Center for Learning Disabilities.
Excited to join today and speak with parents about these important issues. Hi everyone!
Happy Wednesday to you all! Only 1 1/2 more days :)
Getting ready for summer?
Hi! Excited to join the chat today :)
Jenn here, in Iowa. Summer is almost here!
Hi ! Not sure I’ll have much to contribute today, but thought I’d say hi!
Thanks for joining, Jenn! Hope everything is winding down well for you.
Always great having you, Kerri!
We’ll use a Q1, Q2… format for questions. Please use the A1, A2… format for answers.
Hanging in until AAA comes to fix my flat tire! XD
Thanks! It is, and I'm filling up my summer schedule.
My name is Angela Lange: K/1st grade Spec. Educ. teacher in Boone, IA & have a tutoring center 4 Ss w Dyslexia
. oh no! Good luck to you!
Hi Penny! Thanks for joining!
Luckily happened right near the house so I can wait for them at my desk.
Great to have you back, James!
I'm here today as well! Excited to hear from with
Okay, first question coming up...
So ready for Summer :) It is hard for my kids at school though :( Makes my heart sad. They LOVE school!
Q1. What are a parents’ legal rights when it comes to the evaluation process?
. Great to have you today!
That's great! That's not something you hear everyday.
Q1) And can you discuss the 2004 IDEA reauthorization, which changed the rules around 3-year re-evaluations?
A1. The evaluation process is very important and can start faster than parents know. Parents have rights throughout.
A1. Parents have the right to information about the process, evals, info about appeals They also have the right to consent to evals
What are a parents' legal rights when it comes to the evaluation process? We're discussing now at https://t.co/fF1abM80X5 .
What should parents first do when the think their child needs an evaluation for 504 and/or SpEd?
. A1) Since 2004, schools don't have to re-evaluate every 3 yrs. Parents can request an eval at any time however.
A1 I think parents, especially non-english speakers, don't know that they can request evals. They wait for the school to do it.
A1: There r more rights 4 their child than they realize & asking SO MANY ?'s about their child's education.
. Parents should first talk to their classroom teacher. They may also want to speak with the principal.
Excited to join my first . Grad student here working on Executive Processing disorder and looking for insight
So great to have you, Cathleen! Welcome.
. Parents should also make sure they gather the info they have - their thoughts & observations to help explain concerns
All Understood's resources are provided in Spanish, too. So that can help.
Really? This is new information 2 me! Even w an IEP they can re-evaluate their programming?
A1. Information is key! Organizing your concerns and talking to the teacher is a great first step.
A1) Thanks Do you have suggestions for parents whose district resists retesting them? Sometimes they feel intimidated
Q2. What’s the difference between an and 504 plan when it comes to parent and child rights?
Yes! If the plan isn't working, you have the power to change it!
I'm not sure I follow you . SInce 2004, schools do not HAVE to re-evaluate every 3 years, but can choose to do so
. A1) Put request in writing & describe concerns/need If teachers & prin refuse I recommend parents ask 2 speak 2 sped dir
Q2. & 504 have different requirements for parent involvement. gives parents more protections
Q2. Best practice under 504 is to always involve parents in decisionmaking but legal requirements are different
A2. Under either 504 or parents should ask questions, collaborate with educators and seek help they need - both will work
Sorry I used Q2s when I meant A2s! :)
Yes - I hear this a lot Any suggestions ? I always tell parents to expect a NO 1st https://t.co/xZLqCvrUCJ
A1) Thanks Do you have suggestions for parents whose district resists retesting them? Sometimes they feel intimidated
A3. Parents aren't required at 504 meetings
interesting! Didn't know that either! Finding out so much today!
Q3. How might a child with a learning disability have additional legal rights and protections when it comes to discipline?
. Parents should ask for their rights under either 504 or then all can be on same page
Yes, but parents can always ASK to be included in 504 meetings. Schools often say YES!
A3:Students could have EFand not be marked down for not having a pencil. This drove me nuts at one school. Warnings all day.
A3: Students w/ IEPs have rights and protections if discipline is a result of their disability.
A3: I feel this is so vague when it comes to what schl districts do? How can we protect a child's educ. &........
A3. Either 504 or teams must first determine whether the behavior was caused by the disability, then act accordingly.
A3. If behavior caused by then child has rights to behavior evaluation to address concerns.
A3. Certain offenses like involving guns, drugs, and serious bodily injury can lead to an immediate removal even if or 504
I somehow ended up phoning , now I am back.
A3. Kids learn in school. Educators need to keep all safe, but we need to keep our kid in schools learning & address needs.
Oh good! I wouldn't want to be a parent & not be included in that discussion! :)
A1. Sorry to go back, I believe schools must reevaluate every 3 yrs unless the parents AND school agree otherwise.
If a student is facing discipline, a parent can request a meeting to see if it's a manifestation of the disability.
. Meeting shouldn't be vague, focus on specifics so team can develop a plan to address the needs and end the behavior
Totally! Me, too. Plus good motivation to keep your relationship w/ school SOLID #504
Great conversation going! Last question coming up...
Q4. What are some important terms for parents to know when it comes to their child’s rights, and what do those terms mean?
A3: If behavior is a recurring issue, a Functional Behavior Assessment can be done, and can result in a Behavior Intervention Plan
meetings can be overwhelming for parents. Lot of terms coming at them fast. Suggestions?
I think this is where it is important to discuss LRE-The Gen. Educ. classroom.........
A3. Discipline is top difficult area. Key = is the behavior a manifestation? If so develop a plan to respond and keep kid in school
Yes, but parents have told me that schools sometimes imply student might not be found eligible again if re-tested
How can parents know if discipline issue is due to a disability- prior to mtg? https://t.co/jVizUB5ZGU
If a student is facing discipline, a parent can request a meeting to see if it's a manifestation of the disability.
....May NOT be the best environment for instruction for the entire school day
A4. FBA - Functional Behavior Assessment conducted to learn the function a child's behavior
I cannot confirm this, but have been told this by parents. That said, some districts I knwo make sure to test in h.s.
A4. And BIP - Behavior Intervention Plan - how will the school/all parties address problem behaviors
What are interventions + schools can try before going that far? Most kids don't need a BIP
A4. Due Process Rights - lengthy description of appeal process parents should receive once a year to know their rights
A4: Least Restrictive Environment = children with disabilities educated with children not disabled to the maximum extent appropriate
Amen to that! I'd say, Do your Parents! Learn basic terms on
