Should we agree to full OT assessment?

[Anonymous]

We noticed some issues with our prek child, and requested an assessment. The school came back and said they noticed other issues too and want to do a full screening, and asked if we would agree to it.

The backstory is that we're battling the school on some other issues that we raised regarding our other child that the school is doing a terrible job of managing, and they've put themselves at legal risk. Now the head of school and some of her other admin & teachers are doing a combo of not being honest, denial, and trying to document (while not being truthful) in a way to turn the blame on us. The head of school is making this pretty hostile. This is at a charter school. Sorry to be vague, but I'm trying to protect my family's privacy.

Are we at risk by agreeing to this full OT assessment? Could they use the results against us to try to say they can't make the accommodations we need so we have to leave or something similar?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We noticed some issues with our prek child, and requested an assessment. The school came back and said they noticed other issues too and want to do a full screening, and asked if we would agree to it.

The backstory is that we're battling the school on some other issues that we raised regarding our other child that the school is doing a terrible job of managing, and they've put themselves at legal risk. Now the head of school and some of her other admin & teachers are doing a combo of not being honest, denial, and trying to document (while not being truthful) in a way to turn the blame on us. The head of school is making this pretty hostile. This is at a charter school. Sorry to be vague, but I'm trying to protect my family's privacy.

Are we at risk by agreeing to this full OT assessment? Could they use the results against us to try to say they can't make the accommodations we need so we have to leave or something similar?

Post this over on Special needs board - I have found that group to be really knowledgeable and helpful.

[Anonymous]

Charter schools are public schools, and they must provide FAPE (free appropriate public education). They cannot tell you that they cannot support your child.

If you are in DC I would suggest that you contact AJE (Advocates for Justice and Education), which can provide free advice and legal assistance. http://www.aje-dc.org/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Charter schools are public schools, and they must provide FAPE (free appropriate public education). They cannot tell you that they cannot support your child.

If you are in DC I would suggest that you contact AJE (Advocates for Justice and Education), which can provide free advice and legal assistance. http://www.aje-dc.org/

Thanks, this is great info. The issue around our other child is related to special needs too, so this is extremely helpful. It's been so very disappointing to see the head of school's behavior, and of course her staff are following her lead. There's just no effort to do the right thing, and instead it's turning into blaming the victim. I'll reach out to AJE.

[Anonymous]

For the younger child write a letter and request an OT evaluation. An assessment is different from an evaluation. I only learned the difference from going through the process at a charter and not using the right words.

This is a link to the process that needs to be followed:
https://osse.dc.gov/publication/rights-parents-students-disabilities-idea-part-b-notice-procedural-safeguards

Write an email to the teacher, who ever you are communicating with and cc the principal.

I wish I could find some examples for you right now - but you want to have it on record ASAP that you are requesting an evaluation. Here is a good link for what to say in the letter.
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/evaluation-2/

The school has a set # of days per DC law to complete the evaluation and determination if they have a learning disability. Given that you are in April - they are going to try and push it off to August when you are back from summer break. Do not let them do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Charter schools are public schools, and they must provide FAPE (free appropriate public education). They cannot tell you that they cannot support your child.

If you are in DC I would suggest that you contact AJE (Advocates for Justice and Education), which can provide free advice and legal assistance. http://www.aje-dc.org/

They can tell you that they cannot support your child in their school and therefore they will pay for a private placement.
They cannot tell you they're unable to give your child a FAPE and therefore you should withdraw your child from the school.