I just got bgack from vacation and found that one of my colleagues from Florida, yes Florida, had reposted an article that ran in the Houston Chronicle last week talking about Texas’s propensity to under-identify children for Special Education services. As a matter of fact, Texas is the least likely out of the 50 states to identify children as having a disability even though the over-all population for Texas continues to climb. I find this really scary as many parents who come to me looking for diagnostics or advocacy have been put off by schools in a misguided attempt to follow a Response to Intervention model that is not differentiated and uses instruction methods that are one size fits all and not appropriate for all students.
If you as a parent have concerns about the way that your child is being educated or their IEP being accommodated, you need to speak up. Put your concerns in writing and be sure to copy not only the teacher but the campus administrator and district representative for 504, Special Education, or Special Services. If further interventions or accommodations are not forthcoming, ask the district to provide, in writing, reasons for not addressing your concerns. If your child is in a 504 or special education program, ask for a formal meeting and have the concerns addressed on the record.
Want more information on how to advocate for your child? Contact us today to attend one of our workshops or schedule a customized consultation and records review!!
