DCPS IS halting all therapy services for kids in private schools

[Anonymous]

PP, maybe you're not understanding the issue. OP was already sending the child into a public school to receive services. The resources, i.e. therapists, were already there physically, serving students who are DC residents. What DCPS is doing is to (further) downgrade services to minimize cost while still technically complying with federal law.

The media, especially Jay Mathews, have neither the expertise nor the influence to change this practice. Unfortunately, the DCPS chancellor is leaving, the head of SPED is already gone, the head of operations who's responsible for compliance is possibly on his way out, and both DCPS and OSSE SPED are chronically understaffed.

OP, I don't know what to do other than contact the principal at the school where your child received services, whomever from DCPS approved the original services, and the mayor, councilman Grosso, the head of OSSE and, what the heck, Kaya Henderson. You could also include your Ward council and SBOE reps.

You need to ask for something specific, like reinstatement of services, a meeting to review alternatives, placement immediately at local DCPS, etc.

Lawyer up, if you can.

[Anonymous]

maybe contact Perry Stein?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/court-rules-dc-does-not-provide-ample-services-to-young-children-with-disabilities-court-rules/2016/06/24/da2781e4-3a34-11e6-a254-2b336e293a3c_story.html?hpid=hp_local-news2_edlawsuit925pm%3Ahomepage/story

[Anonymous]

Nothing substantive to add, but sending a virtual hug your way, OP. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Don't bother with Jay Mathews. He says special Ed is too contentious and he never covers it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, it would make sense to me that public school districts provide services to public school students. Why should tax payers fund services for students not in public school? Imagine how much more resources public school students could have if funds were not funneled into providing services to those NOT in public school!

Because they're entitled to services under civil rights law. No matter, I predict more parents suing for non-public placements. You could have had it on the cheap and just paid for the services, but now you'll get to food the entire bill - tuition plus the services. Enjoy that.

[Anonymous]

This thread scares me. I can see MCPS following the District on this. Scary.

Thanks OP for bringing this to everyone's attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, it would make sense to me that public school districts provide services to public school students. Why should tax payers fund services for students not in public school? Imagine how much more resources public school students could have if funds were not funneled into providing services to those NOT in public school!

Because they're entitled to services under civil rights law. No matter, I predict more parents suing for non-public placements. You could have had it on the cheap and just paid for the services, but now you'll get to food the entire bill - tuition plus the services. Enjoy that.

They are entitled to some services under civil rights law - but the district can determine how to deliver them to students whose families opt out of public school.

Many do the 'consultative' approach DCPS is adopting and it's been tested legally. It may not feel right or fair to OP since the old approach was working for her child, but I would put my money into private services rather than a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't like it? I think there's a DCPS public school 'round the corner from you, OP. I bet your kid can get an IEP and on-campus services once you enroll your kid.

-- private school parent in the District[/quote

Fine, how about me and all of the other parents who have moved their kids to private school at their own expense, for their kids own safety and development will just come galloping back to publuc schools. What do you think that will do? Take resources away from your kid, you delf rightous ass.

Read a little more carefully. I said I am a private school parent.


That said, it's weird that you're using your child's power to hoard public money for himself as a weapon to threaten people whose opinion you don't like.

"Watch out! We're comin' for you and my my kid is gonna take shit away from your kid!" That's essentially your elegant threat.

[Anonymous]

Don't like it? I think there's a DCPS public school 'round the corner from you, OP. I bet your kid can get an IEP and on-campus services once you enroll your kid.

-- private school parent in the District[/quote

Fine, how about me and all of the other parents who have moved their kids to private school at their own expense, for their kids own safety and development will just come galloping back to publuc schools. What do you think that will do? Take resources away from your kid, you delf rightous ass.

]Read a little more carefully. I said I am a private school parent.


That said, it's weird that you're using your child's power to hoard public money for himself as a weapon to threaten people whose opinion you don't like.

"Watch out! We're comin' for you and my my kid is gonna take shit away from your kid!" That's essentially your elegant threat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, it would make sense to me that public school districts provide services to public school students. Why should tax payers fund services for students not in public school? Imagine how much more resources public school students could have if funds were not funneled into providing services to those NOT in public school!

Because they're entitled to services under civil rights law. No matter, I predict more parents suing for non-public placements. You could have had it on the cheap and just paid for the services, but now you'll get to food the entire bill - tuition plus the services. Enjoy that.

They are entitled to some services under civil rights law - but the district can determine how to deliver them to students whose families opt out of public school.

Many do the 'consultative' approach DCPS is adopting and it's been tested legally. It may not feel right or fair to OP since the old approach was working for her child, but I would put my money into private services rather than a lawyer.

Wow your attitude makes me want to stop paying taxes to support public education. I realized because DCPS is so poorly run, parent feel they must fight for every cent at the cost of children with special needs but you are truly a despicable person.

I pay taxes and am a resident of DC and therefore my child is entitled to services. There are many families who don't get a preschool spot in the oversubscribed neighborhood schools and are unwilling to drive across the city to another under subscribed preschool program. (And there is only private for Pk3 WotP anyway!) Why should I be punished for sending my child to a private preschool program because it makes my life easier?! Regardless of the preschool, she is still a resident of DC and we pay taxes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Don't like it? I think there's a DCPS public school 'round the corner from you, OP. I bet your kid can get an IEP and on-campus services once you enroll your kid.

-- private school parent in the District[/quote

Fine, how about me and all of the other parents who have moved their kids to private school at their own expense, for their kids own safety and development will just come galloping back to publuc schools. What do you think that will do? Take resources away from your kid, you delf rightous ass.

]Read a little more carefully. I said I am a private school parent.


That said, it's weird that you're using your child's power to hoard public money for himself as a weapon to threaten people whose opinion you don't like.

"Watch out! We're comin' for you and my my kid is gonna take shit away from your kid!" That's essentially your elegant threat.

you must be kidding?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, it would make sense to me that public school districts provide services to public school students. Why should tax payers fund services for students not in public school? Imagine how much more resources public school students could have if funds were not funneled into providing services to those NOT in public school!

Because they're entitled to services under civil rights law. No matter, I predict more parents suing for non-public placements. You could have had it on the cheap and just paid for the services, but now you'll get to food the entire bill - tuition plus the services. Enjoy that.

They are entitled to some services under civil rights law - but the district can determine how to deliver them to students whose families opt out of public school.

Many do the 'consultative' approach DCPS is adopting and it's been tested legally. It may not feel right or fair to OP since the old approach was working for her child, but I would put my money into private services rather than a lawyer.

Wow your attitude makes me want to stop paying taxes to support public education. I realized because DCPS is so poorly run, parent feel they must fight for every cent at the cost of children with special needs but you are truly a despicable person.

I pay taxes and am a resident of DC and therefore my child is entitled to services. There are many families who don't get a preschool spot in the oversubscribed neighborhood schools and are unwilling to drive across the city to another under subscribed preschool program. (And there is only private for Pk3 WotP anyway!) Why should I be punished for sending my child to a private preschool program because it makes my life easier?! Regardless of the preschool, she is still a resident of DC and we pay taxes.

To get what you want, you need to get Congress to amend the IDEA law which specifically says that students enrolled in private schools do NOT have the same rights under IDEA as students enrolled in the public school. This is bigger than DCPS.

http://www.understandingspecialeducation.com/private-school.html

[Anonymous]

all of the other parents who have moved their kids to private school ... will just come galloping back to publuc schools.... [and] Take resources away from your kid,



it's weird that you're using your child's power to hoard public money for himself as a weapon to threaten people whose opinion you don't like.




you must be kidding?

No, no I'm not kidding. That's an entirely accurate restatement of PP's "warning."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

all of the other parents who have moved their kids to private school ... will just come galloping back to publuc schools.... [and] Take resources away from your kid,



it's weird that you're using your child's power to hoard public money for himself as a weapon to threaten people whose opinion you don't like.




you must be kidding?

No, no I'm not kidding. That's an entirely accurate restatement of PP's "warning."

I think you are sarcastically impaired. I payed for my daughter's services out of pocket but did get some services from the city. That said, my kids have been far better served in private school than they would have been at Janney. I am lucky that I was able to afford out of pocket services because my child actually overcame something that many children never do. Her hard work coupled with our money made it happen. Sadly, other kids who have the same disorder but are poor won't have the same outcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, it would make sense to me that public school districts provide services to public school students. Why should tax payers fund services for students not in public school? Imagine how much more resources public school students could have if funds were not funneled into providing services to those NOT in public school!

Imagine how much districts are saving by not paying for the overall education of privately placed students. If the students were still part of the public school system, the tax payers would be finding 100 % of said students' education including services.

In addition, school districts receive state and federal funds for IEP students. Privately placed students with ieps are channeling funds to local public schools by other sources besides your local taxes.

Families placing students privately continue to pay taxes that pay for public education.