I received a response to my email almost immediately.
The school has agreed to modify the dates of the IEP to 8/20 - 10/20/2008. This is the scenario I wanted the most. I was concerned that if we met in July to draft goals for Erin, she would likely meet them before the school year started - or very soon thereafter.
Also, this will give the Teacher of the Deaf that has been assigned to Erin the chance to see Erin's school and get a better feel for what she may or may not need there in the way of services.
My only remaining concern is the frequent advice I have received that it is harder to get new services added to subsequent IEPs after signing the initial. But it is a gamble I am willing to take at this point.
I think this is the best scenario for all parties - and most importantly, the best scenario for Erin.
What a relief to have this resolved - at least for now.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Our Response to the IEP
Mrs. XXXXX,
I wanted to thank you for pulling together Erin's IEP.
(Dad to Toes) and I have reviewed the IEP. After extensive discussions between the two of us, we are still not comfortable with the single goal that has been identified. We feel strongly that Erin should have additional goals listed to be used as a means of monitoring her continued progress through the year.
I was under the impression, based on my understanding of the IDEA regulations, that we would be involved in developing Erin's goals. I am not prepared to accept the IEP as written, as we were not afforded the opportunity to develop the goals as equal members of the IEP Team.
I would like to meet again to discuss further, hopefully at a time when you and the rest of the team are not working under schedule restrictions.
We would be available to meet any time after July 4.
I understand that this is mid-summer and you may not be available at that time. If you are unable to meet at that time, (Dad to Toes) and I would be willing to sign the IEP with the draft goal you have suggested, provided the timeframe of the IEP is changed to 08/20/08 - 10/20/08, rather than 08/20/08 - 06/04/09. We could then meet again in the fall to finalize her IEP for the balance of the school year.
I look forward to your response, and I appreciate your understanding on the matter. We value Erin's education and are proud to have her in the xxxxxxx School District. We look forward to developing a positive relationship with everyone involved in her education.
Thank you,
(Mom to Toes)
I wanted to thank you for pulling together Erin's IEP.
(Dad to Toes) and I have reviewed the IEP. After extensive discussions between the two of us, we are still not comfortable with the single goal that has been identified. We feel strongly that Erin should have additional goals listed to be used as a means of monitoring her continued progress through the year.
I was under the impression, based on my understanding of the IDEA regulations, that we would be involved in developing Erin's goals. I am not prepared to accept the IEP as written, as we were not afforded the opportunity to develop the goals as equal members of the IEP Team.
I would like to meet again to discuss further, hopefully at a time when you and the rest of the team are not working under schedule restrictions.
We would be available to meet any time after July 4.
I understand that this is mid-summer and you may not be available at that time. If you are unable to meet at that time, (Dad to Toes) and I would be willing to sign the IEP with the draft goal you have suggested, provided the timeframe of the IEP is changed to 08/20/08 - 10/20/08, rather than 08/20/08 - 06/04/09. We could then meet again in the fall to finalize her IEP for the balance of the school year.
I look forward to your response, and I appreciate your understanding on the matter. We value Erin's education and are proud to have her in the xxxxxxx School District. We look forward to developing a positive relationship with everyone involved in her education.
Thank you,
(Mom to Toes)
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Tears.
I realized tonight that I have cried more tears of joy over Erin's hearing than I have tears of grief.
How astounding is that?
Today, Erin had her 6 month appointment with the ENT. Everything looks great. Her scars are healing well, the skin over the magnet site shows no irritation.
Toes generally does not respond well to the ENT. He is a nice guy and an amazingly skilled surgeon, but he is a little abrupt and not the type of person kids respond to well.
We really wanted him to see how well Erin is doing, so we asked her to sing her ABCs. She refused at first, so Dad to Toes started on his own. By the time he got to "G", she jumped in. Her head in his chest, she sang the rest of the song with him, the ENT repeating the letters in amazement.
I tried to sing along, but got choked up and had to stop. Then the tears came.
My baby girl was singing her ABCs with Daddy. :)
Later in the evening, Dad to Toes was putting Erin to bed. I heard her singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". I couldn't resist, so I stuck my head in the door, expecting to find her sitting on his lap, post stories.
But she was already in bed. No processors. Singing for Daddy. And she was even sort of on key!
What a gift she is.
*********************************************************************
We are still unsettled on the IEP. We have received so much great advice from people in the CI World and we are working to digest it all.
Today the ENT surprised me. I told him about our struggle with the school, hoping he'd jump on it and write a letter to the school. Instead he said "What services are you not getting that you need? It seems to me like she may not need any."
*sigh*
I don't necessarily disagree with him... I just want her to be monitored to make sure she continues to make headway.
Why does this have to be so complicated?
How astounding is that?
Today, Erin had her 6 month appointment with the ENT. Everything looks great. Her scars are healing well, the skin over the magnet site shows no irritation.
Toes generally does not respond well to the ENT. He is a nice guy and an amazingly skilled surgeon, but he is a little abrupt and not the type of person kids respond to well.
We really wanted him to see how well Erin is doing, so we asked her to sing her ABCs. She refused at first, so Dad to Toes started on his own. By the time he got to "G", she jumped in. Her head in his chest, she sang the rest of the song with him, the ENT repeating the letters in amazement.
I tried to sing along, but got choked up and had to stop. Then the tears came.
My baby girl was singing her ABCs with Daddy. :)
Later in the evening, Dad to Toes was putting Erin to bed. I heard her singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". I couldn't resist, so I stuck my head in the door, expecting to find her sitting on his lap, post stories.
But she was already in bed. No processors. Singing for Daddy. And she was even sort of on key!
What a gift she is.
*********************************************************************
We are still unsettled on the IEP. We have received so much great advice from people in the CI World and we are working to digest it all.
Today the ENT surprised me. I told him about our struggle with the school, hoping he'd jump on it and write a letter to the school. Instead he said "What services are you not getting that you need? It seems to me like she may not need any."
*sigh*
I don't necessarily disagree with him... I just want her to be monitored to make sure she continues to make headway.
Why does this have to be so complicated?
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