Authors: Lawrence Siegel
ISBN-13: 9781413309393, ISBN-10: 1413309399
Format: Paperback
Publisher: NOLO
Date Published: April 2009
Edition: Fourth Edition
Lawrence Siegel has been a Special Education Attorney and Advocate since 1979, and has represented children with disabilities extensively in IEPs, due process, complaints, legal action and before legislative and policy bodies. Mr. Siegel has lectured and consulted with advocacy and parent groups throughout the country and is a member of the California Advisory Commission on Special Education. He has written special education legislation that has been adopted in several states and is the author of Least Restrictive Environment: The Paradox of Inclusion (LRP Publications, 1994). Mr. Siegel is the founder and Director of the National Deaf Education Project which works to ensure that the fundamental communication needs of deaf and hard of hearing children are part of the educational system. In 2004-5 he was appointed to an endowed chair at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. for his work as an advocate special education. He lives in Fairfax, California, with his wife Gail and two daughters, Catie and Elisabeth.
Create an individualized education plan (IEP) and secure the education your child deserves!
Children with learning disabilities have different needs than other kids in special education -- let Nolo's IEP Guide: Learning Disabilities help you make sure those needs are met.
This one-of-a-kind book walks you through the Individual Education Program process, providing all the instructions, suggestions, resources and forms you'll need to understand the special-education system.
"An extremely detailed, comprehensive explication of every aspect of the IEP process for students with learning disabilities."
1 | Introduction to Special Education for Children With Learning Disabilities | |
A. | What Is Special Education? | 2 |
B. | Special Education and Learning Disabilities | 4 |
C. | Being Your Child's Advocate | 5 |
D. | Using This Book | 5 |
E. | Icons Used Throughout | 7 |
F. | Getting Help From Others | 7 |
2 | Your Child's Rights Under the IDEA | |
A. | What IDEA Requires | 2 |
B. | Individualized Education Program | 12 |
C. | State Special Education Laws | 15 |
D. | Working With Your School District | 16 |
3 | What Is a Learning Disability? | |
A. | Legal Definitions | 2 |
B. | Scientific and Professional Definitions | 3 |
C. | Does Your Child Have a Learning Disability? | 5 |
D. | Learning Disabilities and the IEP Process | 9 |
4 | Getting Started | |
A. | First Steps | 2 |
B. | Obtain Your Child's School Records | 7 |
C. | Start an IEP Binder | 13 |
D. | Keep Track of Deadlines | 17 |
5 | Developing Your Child's IEP Blueprint | |
A. | Begin at the End: Define Your Child's Needs | 3 |
B. | Preparing an IEP Blueprint | 3 |
C. | Other Sources of Information for the Blueprint | 10 |
D. | What's Next? | 10 |
6 | Assessments | |
A. | When Assessments Are First Done | 3 |
B. | The Assessment Plan | 4 |
C. | Evaluating the Assessment Tests | 7 |
D. | Approving, Rejecting, or Changing the Assessment Plan | 12 |
E. | Reviewing the Assessment Report | 17 |
7 | Eligibility | |
A. | Eligibility Definitions | 3 |
B. | Eligibility Standards for Children With Learning Disabilities | 6 |
C. | Preparing for the IEP Eligibility Meeting | 13 |
D. | Attending the Eligibility Meeting | 14 |
E. | Joint IEP Eligibility/Program Meeting | 15 |
F. | If Your Child Is Not Found Eligible for Special Education | 16 |
8 | Gathering Information and Evidence | |
A. | Analyze the School District's Information | 2 |
B. | Chart Your Child's Progress | 5 |
C. | Explore Available School Programs | 7 |
D. | Find Out About Related Services | 11 |
E. | Compare Your Blueprint With the Existing Program and Services | 11 |
F. | Generate Additional Supporting Information | 14 |
G. | Independent Assessments | 15 |
9 | Goals and Objectives | |
A. | Areas Covered by Goals and Objectives | 3 |
B. | Developing Goals and Objectives | 3 |
C. | When to Draft Goals and Objectives | 5 |
D. | Writing Effective Goals and Objectives | 5 |
10 | Preparing for the IEP Meeting | |
A. | Schedule the IEP Meeting | 2 |
B. | The IEP Meeting Agenda | 3 |
C. | Organize Your Materials | 3 |
D. | Draft Your Child's IEP Program | 7 |
E. | Who Will Attend the IEP Meeting | 9 |
F. | Final Preparation Concerns | 17 |
11 | The IEP Meeting | |
A. | Getting Started | 3 |
B. | Simple Rules for a Successful IEP Meeting | 4 |
C. | Become Familiar With Your School's IEP Form | 9 |
D. | Writing the IEP Plan | 10 |
E. | Sign the IEP Document | 16 |
F. | Parent Addendum Page | 18 |
12 | Resolving IEP Disputes Through Due Process | |
A. | Before Due Process: Informal Negotiations | 4 |
B. | Typical Due Process Disputes | 6 |
C. | When to Pursue Due Process | 8 |
D. | Your Child's Status During Due Process | 9 |
E. | Using a Lawyer During Due Process | 9 |
F. | How to Request Due Process | 10 |
G. | Preparing for Due Process | 11 |
H. | Mediation Specifics | 13 |
I. | Fair Hearing | 18 |
J. | Fair Hearing Decision and Appeals | 29 |
13 | Filing a Complaint | |
A. | When to File a Complaint | 2 |
B. | Where to File a Complaint | 3 |
C. | What to Include in a Complaint | 4 |
D. | What Happens When You File a Complaint | 5 |
14 | Lawyers and Legal Research | |
A. | How a Lawyer Can Help | 2 |
B. | Do You Need an Attorney? | 2 |
C. | Finding an Attorney | 3 |
D. | How Attorneys Are Paid | 8 |
E. | Resolving Problems With a Lawyer | 11 |
F. | Doing Your Own Legal Research | 11 |
G. | Online Legal Research | 16 |
15 | Parent Organizations | |
A. | Join a Parent Organization | 2 |
B. | Form a Parent Organization | 3 |
Appendices | ||
1 | Special Education Law and Regulations | |
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act & Key Sections | 2 | |
IDEA Regulations (Key Sections) | 18 | |
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Key Regulations) | 52 | |
2 | Federal and State Departments of Education | |
Federal Department of Education Offices | 2 | |
State Department of Education Offices | 4 | |
3 | Support Groups, Advocacy Organizations, and Other Resources | |
General Resources on Special Education | 2 | |
Parent Training and Information Centers | 4 | |
Legal Resources on Special Education | 12 | |
Resources on Learning Disabilities and ADD/ADHD | 13 | |
Bibliography | 17 | |
4 | Sample IEP Form | |
5 | Tear-Out Forms | |
Index |