Eligibility meeting?

[Anonymous]

We got notice that we have to do a three year eligibility meeting for our MS student. Student has dyslexia so it is not like it goes away. School is saying testing is required to determine eligibility going forward but also if we disagree with testing and decide to keep the IEP in place- we can. So what is the point of this process? I know FCPS tries to screw over families so just trying to figure out what to do.

I think the best option is no new testing (because I am sure their testing will determine he is not eligibile) and keep the IEP as is going into HS.

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Your attitude is very negative for seemingly no reason. It’s true that dyslexia doesn’t go away but many kids do meet their goals and no longer need an IEP. That being said, typically after only 3 years of eligibility that is not the case. Parents often want additional testing to learn more about where their students have progressed but if there hasn’t been many changes, the school may propose no testing. Either way, not sure why you are determined to go into the meeting thinking the school is trying to screw your child over. You must be a real joy to work with.

[Anonymous]

There is loads of evidence that FCPS is trying to screw over special education kids so I get it.

[Anonymous]

Legally, schools are required to hold a "re-evaluation planning" meeting every 3 years to talk about whether or not they think a student continues to need special education, or if they think updated testing might be beneficial in terms of adjusting the IEP, or if they suspect more services/a different placement might be needed.

From what you've said, it sounds like the school has questions about whether or not your child continues to need special education. They're not saying he doesn't continue to have dyslexia (since like you said, it doesn't just go away), but it may have been remediated enough that he no longer needs the IEP services. Some parents are happy to have their child and dismissed, if appropriate, and some want to keep the IEP, especially going into High School. It sounds like the middle school will go with whatever you want.

[Anonymous]

The stay put right is not indefinite. You have to file a dispute - not sure the requirements, but I think you have to file for a due process hearing and there is a deadline for doing so. The IEP with the current goals, met or not, stay until the dispute is resolved.

[Anonymous]

We had a similiar situation where they did very limited testing and then determined our kid was not being impacted negatively so no longer eligible. We were told the IEP would stay as is and he would continue to get services. Is this not true? I would not be surprised if FCPS was laying to us so please tell me the real story

[Anonymous]

Re evaluation is legally discussed every 3 years for any IEP. You can have a kid who is a wheelchair user who doesn't speak and the team still sits down to discuss if they still qualify for an IEP.

Sometimes at this meeting they decide to test, if it hasn't been done in a while or if there are questions about placement or present levels. Some schools are test happy, some hate to test. Either way, it's no indication that they're trying to remove services.

[Anonymous]

A reason to test is so you have the tests done in the case that you want to apply to private for High School. They also substantiated accommodations for standardized testing (Sat, AP etc)

[Anonymous]

It’s the law to have these meetings. I would always want my kid tested. I have been a special ed teacher for years, and don’t know why you wouldn’t want to redo educational testing in order to see if there has been progress.

You do not have to sign agreement if the team decides he doesn’t need an IEP any longer. You have to agree to pull services.

I have worked for years on behalf of my students and don’t appreciate everyone being tarred with the same brush. I am well aware of the problems in the county, but believe me, if you move somewhere else, you’ll wish you were back here.

[Anonymous]

I think the testing the school does will fit the narrative that the IEP is not necessary. Our child is doing well in school because of the IEP and the services associated with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We got notice that we have to do a three year eligibility meeting for our MS student. Student has dyslexia so it is not like it goes away. School is saying testing is required to determine eligibility going forward but also if we disagree with testing and decide to keep the IEP in place- we can. So what is the point of this process? I know FCPS tries to screw over families so just trying to figure out what to do.

I think the best option is no new testing (because I am sure their testing will determine he is not eligibile) and keep the IEP as is going into HS.

Thoughts?

If they really said it like this, then it sounds like they do not think he continues to qualify for special ed, and they are going to test to document that.

They cannot exit your child without your consent. Also they cannot evaluate without your consent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s the law to have these meetings. I would always want my kid tested. I have been a special ed teacher for years, and don’t know why you wouldn’t want to redo educational testing in order to see if there has been progress.

You do not have to sign agreement if the team decides he doesn’t need an IEP any longer. You have to agree to pull services.

I have worked for years on behalf of my students and don’t appreciate everyone being tarred with the same brush. I am well aware of the problems in the county, but believe me, if you move somewhere else, you’ll wish you were back here.

the educational testing the school does is going to fit their agenda.

And, I just had a room full of teachers basically take services away from my dyslexic student and only one reached out afterwards to say she was sorry- but she said nothing in the meeting. So unless you are actively speaking up for kids in eligibility meetings - you are part of the problem.

We didn't agree to the removal of services but now our kid has been deemed ineligible so nothing can be added to the IEP and now we have to put her through an IEE. Don't act like FCPS gives a crap about kids or families.