iep.

I dread writing those letters. IEP. For me it's rarely a good thing. An IEP is an Individualized Education Plan for students that qualify. It is typically a long document (Noah's is 20 pages) that detail Noah's goals in every area and any accomodations he may need. It is a legal contract for Noah written by the IEP team. I am a member of this team along with Joe, 4 therapists, the Resource teacher, the General Education teacher and anyone else that would like to attend (which lately has been the principal, the asst. principal, the head of ESE (Exceptional Student Education) in my region and a facilitator. Typically in these meetings most are quiet except me and the last two I listed. The three of us usually don't agree. The team is required to update the IEP once per year; therefore, we have to meet at least once per year. But anyone on the team can call a meeting at any time for any reason. I called a meeting 10 days ago and it happened this past week. Here is the back story to why I called the meeting:

According to Noah's IEP I knew he was supposed to see the resource teacher (someone that provides extra help to ESE kids) for 30 minutes per day, IN the classroom (to be included with his peers) and they are to focus on reading and writing. I had a feeling this wasn't happening the way that it should be. So one day almost two weeks ago when I had a 10am meeting with OT I went to the school a little early to observe. Noah's teacher has an open door policy and is okay with any parent dropping in at any time. So I popped in and was surprised that the resource teacher had not come to see Noah yet. She is supposed to be there at 9am and it was now 9:15. Noah's teacher had hinted to me that things had not been happening the way that they should so I already was concerned going into it. Then she was late. Noah is very structured and if she is coming at a different time every day then that is not good. Then at 9:20 she strolled in. Keep in mind that I did not let on who I was and she and I had never met so she had no idea who this person was sitting in the class that day. I proceeded to watch her pull Noah out of the room with another student, work with him in a closet outside of the room on curriculum that had nothing to do with reading & writing and finish the session in nine minutes. I was confused, and yes, I was upset. I approached her when it was apparent that the session had ended and asked her why she pulled him out. She said "he focuses better outside the classroom." Ok, but his IEP (a legal contract) states you have to see him in the classroom (she hates this because the teacher can watch her in the classroom). I asked her why she only saw him for nine minutes and she stated she would most likely see him again later. At this point my anger was elevated and I said, "So you are transitioning him out of the classroom (transitions are very difficult for Noah) for a nine minute session to teach him nothing that has anything to do with his goals only to transition him back to the classroom and perhaps do all of this again later????" She, obviously, got defensive. She then said he was "difficult to work with and only wants to work on the computer when in the classroom." That was all I needed to hear when I replied, "I don't care if he's crawling on the ceiling, it is your job to work with him." It was then that I informed this woman that the conversation was over and I would be going to the principal to discuss the fact that this school was no longer in compliance with my son's IEP. A violation like this could lead to a lawsuit and the principal would obviously want to avoid this. It was that day that I called an IEP meeting. These usually take weeks to get on the calendar. I got mine in five days.

The meeting was ugly. I won't lie. The resource teacher and I are not friends. Anyone who not only doesn't work with my son properly but then calls him "difficult" is nowhere near my "friends" list. But during this meeting I did something that I vow to not do. It's like my own promise to myself. I try to never allow my emotions in that room. I am there to do a job and that is to get my son a fair, appropriate education. But on this day while I watched this woman LIE right in front of me I yelled and pointed, "YOU ARE A LIAR!!" I meant it, but it was unprofessional and I shouldn't have said it. I wanted to scratch her eyes out. But I was prepared and I dug into what I know to be the laws and the policies of the school. It is like making your case in a courtroom. These people that are all supposed to be helping your son and on his side are all siding with one another, even if deep down I know they know it's wrong. They need their jobs and they protect one another. And it is nothing short of sick. As always, me and the head of ESE go back and forth. She knows I know my stuff and I know she knows hers and we challenge each other. We discussed this issue, the issue of Physical Education (side note: after I viewed the resource teacher and went to OT, I then viewed PE where I was shocked to see the aid chasing another child while Noah sat by himself the entire class.), etc. We always fight about the aid. The aid was hired for Noah, but they call her the staff support (there to be used as the teacher sees fit). This particular argument got heated as I quoted from the many books in front of me...but I still was left with no real answers. I knew I needed to take it one step further. So I told them I would view the resource teacher and PE over the next two weeks. I wanted a staff change for resource but am getting push back for that. We scheduled another IEP meeting for the 12th of November. On that day we will discuss what I saw in the class and what needs to be done. What they don't know is that along with my advocate, I will be tape recording the meeting. I will tell them this prior to the meeting. I am doing this because it will cause something to happen -- either I will finally get real answers (you can't BS when you are getting taped) or perhaps some change. I am hoping to get the head of ESE to admit some things. I have real questions about my son's education and Pinellas county needs to give me some answers. If this doesn't start happening then I plan to take bigger steps.

I am looking at possibly going to the media for a lifestyle piece in the St. Pete Times. There are other parents that are willing to stand with me to do this.

Pinellas county has two types of kids according to the public school system. They have typical kids and exceptional kids (special needs). And they are segregated. Sometimes all it takes is a learning disability and you end up in a segregated classroom. And those kids in those segregated rooms will never get a typical diploma. They will get an attendance diploma. It is criminal. Each one of these children has something to offer, but they are swept under the rug. The state gives the school thousands and thousands of dollars for each of these ESE kids that attends the school. But does the child or even the IVE program see these dollars? No. They have the old computers and the the old desks. These kids get very little of the budget. And it's legal. So, when I go to the school & the district and make noise it's because someone has to. Who is going to stand up for these kids? What is happening here in Florida and in my county is criminal and no one knows it's happening. Well, that's all going to change (can you sense my frustration?!).

More to come after Thursday.