mcjd79 wrote:Already working with Early Stages. For prek if a IEP is issued Early Stage will find a seat in a DCPS school that can provide all of the needed services (be it self contained or standard class room with extra support). Of course if it is a 'early stages seat' the family has no say in what school the seat is offered. Sure you can turn it down and go to a lottery charter or different DCPS. But then the services may be adjusted to 'equitable' if the needed support services are not available at the school you select or got through the lottery.
If we get a lottery spot at a charter it becomes more of a grey area of the school can do their own IEP. And they have some discretion providing exactly what is on the ES IEP vrs 'Equitable Services' depending on their in house resources vrs bringing specialists in for the student. Certainly not all schools can accommodate every special need as well as others. For some students a small group or private aide might work just as well as a specialized classroom for others it would not. (Not sure why charters who get DC money aren't held to the same standards for meeting IEPs. But that is a while different thead and conversation.)
How much time spent pushing into a regular class room vrs in a specialized class room is still being determined. I did want to get my information gathered and be prepared for either possibility.
Thanks for the help!
I think they are held to the same standards for IEPs, but they are separate districts. If you enter a charter with an IFSP or an IEP from Early Stages/early intervention the new 'district' (aka the charter school) must match services as closely as possible immediately, and re-evaluate within 60 days.
It's as if you went from DCPS to Arlington or Los Angeles with an IEP. For the first few weeks they have to follow what you negotiated with DCPS -- but then they can begin the whole process again, and even, potentially find you ineligible.
Of course as a parent you are part of the IEP team. IME I have felt like I have more of a role in developing the IEP in charters, than I did in DCPS, which usually felt like 'here's what you get.'
Good luck.