What Is Your Instinct Telling You?

When I transitioned from teaching into administration, I learned quickly that I needed to shift my lens.  As an administrator, I often received calls, emails and visits to my office from upset parents.  My first inclination was to go right into problem solving, or worse, become defensive.  The concerns were on a variety of topics, but the biggest lesson I learned is that a parent who feels heard makes for an easier partner.  

Parents want desperately to feel heard, however, they do not all come to school with the same set of expectations or ability to effectively communicate their needs or the needs of their child.  Throughout my career one of the hardest things I’ve encountered is when a parent is called by school personnel and told that there is no need to complete a special education evaluation because their child will not qualify for services. This has always dumbfounded me due to legal obligation or a child’s needs being dismissed out of hand.  Unfortunately, it’s a greater reality than anyone would hope.   

For a parent or guardian where a school has refused to complete an evaluation, my first piece of advice would be to ask the school to put the denial in writing, listing specific reasons why it should not be completed.  Most times, the school will stumble at hearing this challenge and will go ahead with the evaluation.  Another school tactic is to attempt to talk you out of an evaluation and then list the reason as the parent withdrew the request.  This way it doesn't negatively impact the school for not completing the evaluation.  

A full evaluation from the time a parent signs the consent to test, is 60 days.  I have witnessed families back down on the request and 6 months to a year down the road the child has fallen further behind.  The special education evaluation was not designed to only evaluate the children you believe will automatically qualify, but to provide a comprehensive assessment of the child with the goal of providing information to drive instruction.  

My biggest piece of advice to parents, if your instinct tells you to push forward, trust your gut.  You have to be your child’s biggest advocate!  If you need support, we are here to help!

#standreadytosupport

Parents are frustrated with the lack of support for their special education students during COVID-19.