Tag: Individualized Education Program


Sep
2017

The Discipline Gap: How Children with Disabilities Are at a Loss in the Classroom

categories: Education

Discipline is part of growing up. But many kids with disabilities are disciplined in the wrong Children's colorful alphabet blocksway. This can hurt a child in the long run.

Kids that go against teachers or struggle with classmates are called naughty. This is worse for kids of color with disabilities. One in 4 black boys and 1 in 5 black girls are sent home from school. This is much more often than white kids.

When schools are lax with Individual Education Plans (IEP), disciplining kids with disabilities turns out to be harder.

Next steps:

  • Know your rights! Parents should know how kids’ IEP’s will be used.
  • Teachers must be taught. When teachers are not aware of kids’ needs, everyone is at a loss.
  • Schools should be graded on how well they follow IEPs

All kids should get a fair chance. Kids with disabilities should get to thrive. Raising them with respect is key.

Resources:

Lewis, K. R. (2015, July 24). Why do schools over-discipline children with disabilities? The Atlantic. Retrieved from The Atlantic

My Child with a Disability Keeps Getting Suspended or Recommended for Expulsion. (2014, November). Retrieved from Disability Rights California Nov 2014, Pub. #5563-01

What you need to know about IDEA 2004: Suspending children from school. (2012, March 22). Retrieved October 28, 2016, from Wrights Law, October 28, 2016, from Wrights Law


Jan
2016

Language Rights at IEP Meetings

categories: Education

Red apple on stack of three books. Blackboard in background.

Do you know about Individual Education Plans (IEP)?  Many parents that move to America from other countries do not know what an IEP is. They might be invited to a meeting at the school and not understand why. The letter may be written in English. The language they speak might not be English. These parents might not know what the meeting is about.

Did you know that you have the right to written information in your own language at IEP meetings? You also have the right to have letters sent to you in your language. You also have the right to have language help at the IEP meeting.  The language helpers should be specially trained.

Many parents do not know about language rights. The Federal government has laws about this. If a program gets money from the federal government, they must follow language rights rules. One of these rules is called Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, chapter 151B.  It says that the school should provide language help to people that need it.

I have gone with many Vietnamese parents to IEP meetings in Boston.  School staff often do not follow language rules. I have seen many parents have trouble. It is important that parents know their rights.

Resources: