Many parents have an extra accountability when it comes to their children's education. Every year these parents attend their child's Planning and Placement Team meeting. Any child with a designation within the extra schooling spectrum has one of these meetings every year. These designations consist of learning and intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, autism, other health impairments (Add/Adhd, etc) and many others. Attending these meetings can be daunting and intimidating to non-educational members of the team. It doesn't have to be though. If a parent is prepared for the meeting and knows the 'drill' it should be much less difficult.
Annual Ppt's are held every year at the same time. Legally there must be a meeting every year within 365 days and a triennial every 3 years. The triennial is a meeting to rule if a child is still eligible for extra education. I am jumping ahead here a little, let's start at the beginning.
Ppst
If your child has never had a extra schooling designation, a member of the school community, yourself or your doctor may suggest that your child is tested to rule if he or she needs extra support. Sometimes it is inescapable (your child may have autism, down's syndrome, or a corporal disability) and other times further testing needs to be completed to rule eligibility.
The first step is for you or school personnel to start the process. If you set in motion the process (through a written letter - example to be shown) the school must hold an preliminary meeting called a Planning and Placement Team (Ppt) meeting. At this meeting a number of individuals may be present. This will consist of a building administrator, extra schooling teacher, a quarterly schooling teacher, the school psychologist, advice counselor, school nurse, transition coordinator and whatever else deemed necessary. Your child's strengths and weaknesses will be discussed and you will be asked for your input and what your concerns are. You must also sign a permission to test form. Withholding permission will stop the process. The school district may rule that legal mediation is critical at this time. A multi-disciplinary will be conducted to rule eligibility and must be completed within 45 of the initiation of services. Therefore, a full estimate must be completed from the date the school receives your letter (or is internally referred by school personnel) within 45 school days. Weekends and vacations do not count. At the 2nd meeting it will be thought about whether or not your child qualifies for extra schooling services. For placement in extra education, you must give your written consent. This can be withdrawn but you should seek the advice of an educational lawyer or advocate if you plan to do this. If it is thought about that your child does not qualify for extra schooling services, ask about a qualification under a 504 designation. You can disagree with any of the decisions made and have it noted in the private schooling Plan (Iep). The Iep is the map that school personnel will use to guide them in servicing your child's educational needs. You also have the option of disputing your position through the courts. The school district I work in tries to work with parents and avoid this altogether. If you win your case, the school district must pay your legal bills. It is suggested that you bring another private with you (spouse, friend, pastor) for inescapable support. You should write down the concerns you have: strengths, what your child needs the most help with, goals that you want your child to succeed. If you child will be transitioning from high school to college or the world of work, a transition plan must be advanced as well. Be prepared to discuss what you see for your child. Your teen will also be at this meeting (starts attending colse to 8th grade) and be asked what their interests and dreams are. You can help him or her in discussing this beforehand. Standardized testing will be discussed and it will be thought about whether your child needs extra time, extra setting or a reader (or any other number of accommodations). A modification page will be in the private schooling Plan; you should ask for a copy of this page and make suggestions that you think are critical for your child to effect without enabling him/her. The number of hours your child will be serviced by extra schooling personnel, counseling staff, etc. Will be determined. Goals and objectives will be written for any areas that your child needs further help in. This can consist of reading, math, writing, general academics, behavior, self-help skills, communication and other areas as necessary. Make sure to ask questions if you have them and get the name and number of at least one member of the team that you can talk to if you have any concerns or questions about your child, the Iep or Ppt meeting. Iep's ordinarily go into effect 5 days after the meeting or sooner if agreed to by the team. The school is obligated to get you a copy of the Iep within 5 days of the Ppt meeting. Any questions you have (or disagreements with the plan) should be directed to a member of the team (usually a extra schooling educator or administrator). Relax, relax, relax. The more often you attend Ppt's the more comfortable and knowledgeable you will become.
Be prepared - Your Child's introductory Ppt Meeting - special instruction
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