MCPS re-evaulation?

[Anonymous]

Has anyone been thru the re-evaluation process in MCPS and can tell me what to expect? I mean, what happens when your child has had an IEP for 3 years and the 3 year mark comes around -- what meetings are there? what kind of "assessment" was done or data collected? what timelines are there (like the 30+60=90 timeline for the initial IEP)? did you find that the IEP team tried to withdraw services or did you feel the meeting was a fair assessment of needs and offer of services/resources?

Thanks for any info.

[Anonymous]

Like all IEP meetings, things are very school dependent. Similar to your original evaluation period, they need to determine what tests to be done. This is done at a meeting and you do have input. Some schools might decide that no new testing is needed, while others might determine that a brand new set of academic, OT, ST, and psych testing is needed. The school has 60 days to perform the tests and to schedule another meeting to discuss the results and determine if your child is still eligible for the IEP. If the answer is yes, then another meeting is scheduled within 30 days to write the new IEP.

In general, it is easier to keep an IEP compared to initially qualifying for one. Do you have reason to believe that the team is trying to take the services or IEP away? If not, it is more of a formality to ensure that the child still has the disability and the IEP often stays the same or changes to meet the child's needs.

[Anonymous]

I just had a re-eval but I initiated the process. I had a diagnosis and other data to share. If you are worried about this process, do you have any new data to bring to the table to justify why your child should keep the IEP? New neuropsych eval? Diagnosis? Is the current school coding "developmental delay" or have you nailed it down?

[Anonymous]

We have been requesting (in writing) an IEP review for months, but IEP runs out in mid-September and we haven't had any review or re-evaluation meetings yet. I am puzzled by this. Are there no timelines to meet? We are providing private neurospych, but it seems odd that there have been no meetings scheduled at all yet. Part of me is a little paranoid.....

[Anonymous]

Your next meeting needs to be by the expiration date so you will hear something soon. Remember, most of the sped team has been on summer break. The IEP support your child currently gets will continue through the re-eval process.

[Anonymous]

what happens if, despite my requests and availability to meet, we do not meet by the expiration date?

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure why you think this would happen? If you do not receive an invite letter 10 days before your expiration date, call the school. If you do not get a date, call the special ed office in the county. However, I think you'll get the letter as there are very clear guidelines and time restrictions that the schools need to follow.