Special Education - Part 4: Signing and Writing on the IEP Document
Part
1 – Legal Overview
Part
2 – Referals and Assesments
Part
3 – Individualized Education Program (IEP) Meetings
Part
4 – Signing and Writing on the IEP Document
Part
5 – Related Services
Part
6 – Due Process and Dispute Resolution
Part
7 – Compliance Complaints
At the end of the IEP, the school district will ask you
to sign the document. You don’t have to sign it
on the spot. Think about what the district has offered.
You can ask for a break or even take it home and return
it another day. Of course, if you agree with the entire
IEP, it is always best to sign it so the program can
begin immediately.
Before you sign, however, ask to read
the entire document (including the IEP notes) and make sure
everything agreed upon is documented accurately. You can also
agree on certain parts, but not others (e.g. you agree on related
services, but not placement – sign the document and state
that you agree with the services but not placement). If
you disagree with parts of the IEP, spell out your disagreements
on the parent dissent page.
Make sure that you know what statements are entered onto
the IEP document and state any objections immediately.
This is especially important on the IEP notes. Every
IEP has a page where someone in the school staff is
writing down notes during the IEP meeting. If you disagree
on a particular issue, make sure your objections are
accurately documented in the IEP notes. If the note
taker does not write down your position, then request
a separate page. Label this page “parent
dissent” and
record your point of view and ask that it is attached
to the IEP.
You have an absolute right to state your position,
but if the school district does not attach your dissent, indicate
the following on the signature page:
- that you do not
agree with everything in the IEP document, and
- that
you want to attach a dissent but the school administration
would not allow you to do so. Then file a complaint with
the California Department of Education on the basis that
the school district failed to allow you to participate
in the IEP process.
