You might also try contacting some of these groups for advice/assistance:
www.taalliance.org/centers/index.htm
www.education-a-must.com/advocates.htm#TX
www.abanet.org/legalservices/probono/

It must be very frustrating. EAch day that goes by is time lost for your daughter as you know.

I'm suprised that they have 30 days to schedule a meeting. In New England, most of the states give 10 days or less. Who told you they had 30 days? I'd double check, just in case you can get things moving more quickly.

Follow up your phone call with an e-mail that recaps the discussion and what you agreed upon. If she is to go in special ed classes, ask for a copy of the ammendement to her IEP. They cannot make this change in placement without your signed agreement and without documenting it in the IEP. If they won't document, I doubt if they will actually follow through on the services. In the same letter, ask again about the meeting you previously requested. Say something like:

In addition to this change to special ed classes, I would like to follow up on my request for an IEP meeting. On date, I requested a meeting. I was told that in Texas, the school has 30 days to schedule the meeting. This means we must meet by date. I am available on (give 3 dates and times). Please contact me by phone and e-mail within 5 days to schedule the team meeting.

I look forward to receiving a copy of the ammendment and the meeting invitation. Please place a copy of this letter correspondence in name's educational file.

In the meantime, begin gathering examples of your daughters work completed at an independent level and begin to make a list of your concerns. Bring this list to the meeting and ask that it be inlcuded in the IEP under parent and student concerns.



Remember - everything must be documented in writing. If it isn't on paper, it didn't happen.

She does have an IEP, but they are taking their time at getting the next meeting setup. I asked for one after 3 weeks of school and in Texas they have 30 days to give us a meeting, yet I have heard nothing. I have spoken with my daughters doctor, who will be writing to the state about the lack of help as well. I am also trying to find a local area person from the ACLU to help.

All the waiting is only getting my daughter further behind in school. I asked for her to be moved to special ed classes this morning by phone.

So, she is not an IEP? This is your first step.

You need to make a written referral to start the process going. Per federal law, they must complete the process and hold an eligibility meeting within 60 school days of your written consent. Given weekends and holidays, this can be up to 3 months.


Your letter can go like,
Date:
Dear Principal:
I am writing to refer my daughter name, date of birth for special education eligiblity. Please consider this letter consent to evaluate so that the process can begin immediatly.

Name has had ongoing difficulty with school, we have provided indpendent neuropschological evaluations, and we have sought help from her teacher team. We would like to insure that she receives the specialized instruction she needs to achieve FAPE and make approptriate progress in all aspects of school, particularly in reading, writing and math which have been areas of ongoing struggle and negatively impact her learning in all areas.
I would like to speak to the evaluator prior to the testing to give important background information. I would also be happy to provide the report from the last private evaluation.

I understand that per the child find provisions in IDEA, you must comply with my evaluation and eligibility request.

I look forward to written confimration from you that this process has been initiated within the next 5 days. Please place a copy of this letter in name's permanent file.

Sincerely,
sign and type name
cc sped director, teacher super