Monday, February 22, 2016

No child left behind, except those with special needs in Marshall County TN

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is the requirement in federal law that students with disabilities receive their education, to the maximum extent appropriate, with nondisabled peers and that special education students are not removed from regular classes unless, even with supplemental aids and services, education in regular classes cannot be achieved satisfactorily. 

Every special needs child has an IEP (Individualized Education Program) which outlines the supports they will receive at school. It is a legal document and must be followed by all school administration. Involved parents attend meetings to ensure the child's needs are met. 

It has been my experience that the law and the child's rights are dismissed and the parents made to feel intimidated for speaking out. I feel like Adam is now in a better situation than in the past, but still not ideal for the least restrictive environment, yet I am not given any acceptable options. Today I learned that not only has my nephew been pushed out of school because of behavior problems (autism), but his mother was asked to leave the meeting without any resolution. 

I have no idea what parents of special needs children are supposed to do.