Tips for Addressing Educational Concerns

1. Identify the Issues

When you are preparing to discuss your child’s education with the school, it is important to think through what your concerns are. Think through how to explain your concerns and how you would like them to be addressed. If there is a complex issue, think of steps that can move you in the right direction.

2. Evaluations

In order to develop an appropriate educational plan for a child, it is critical to have as comprehensive a picture of the child’s needs as possible. It is often necessary to obtain evaluations from specialists to determine what your child’s learning strengths and limitations might be. You can discuss your child’s need for evaluations with school personnel (e.g. the child’s teacher and the special education director) and you can also discuss the need for evaluations with your primary care doctor. Depending on the evaluations that you need to obtain, they may be paid for through the schools, insurance, Medicaid, or private pay. If the school pays for an evaluation and you disagree with the results, you can ask the school to provide an independent evaluation.

3. Record Keeping

It is very important to make or maintain records of all communications that you have regarding your child’s educational program. You should keep copies of all letters, records and other documents related to your child. Make sure to document any phone calls, including the time, date, name of the person you are talking to and their title.Keep copies of all key documents.

4. Letters

Letters are an excellent form of communication because they allow people on both sides of an issue to formally express their thoughts, feelings and positions. To be effective, letters should be clear and understandable. Generally, shorter is better.

5. Meetings

The laws regarding special education encourage parents and school staff to sit down and meet together to develop educational programs for children. Educational meetings offer school staff and parents an opportunity to discuss issues, determine causes of problems, identify the goals of all the parties and reach an agreement. You can ask for meetings to be scheduled at a time that you can attend. Before going to an educational meeting, be sure to write down the issues you want to have discussed. When you arrive at the meeting, ask to be introduced to everyone present. If you do not know what someone’s role is at the meeting, ask the person to explain his role to you. Make sure you understand what is being said. If you do not understand something, ask for an explanation. Take the time you need to consider what you have learned. Never sign anything that you do not understand or that you do not agree with.

6. Support

You can take a friend or advocate to an educational meeting with you. Having someone with you at the meeting can help you because you will feel supported in the meeting. In addition, they can take notes while you are listening and participating in the meeting.

7. Know Your Rights

Find out what laws, regulations, standards, polices or rules apply to your situation. There are many advocacy groups available to help you learn about your child’s right to appropriate educational services.