Education
Perspectives on Parenting©
by Nancy Lambert Davenport

Nancy Davenport's Column:
For Richardson News 02-21-99
Copyright Nancy Lanmbert Davenport 1999

"Assessment to Determine Disability"

Sarah Jean struggled from the day she set foot in her pre-school classroom. Her parents decided to hold her back to repeat kindergarten. By Christmas of first grade it was clear she simply was not able to keep up with even the slowest of students in her class. The teacher recommended that she be tested to see if she would be eligible for special education services.

Ideally Sarah's parents would calmly consider the pro's and con's of special services. They would cool-y research what is available, and rationally do all the right things. Unfortunately, that is not usually the way it happens.

Too often parents panic and start blaming people. They blame the teacher who wants to do the testing. They blame themselves for poor parenting. They blame the child for not trying hard enough. They blame God for letting this terrible thing happen.

Then once they settle down, parents often can roll up their sleeves and get something done. Before anything can happen though, Sarah Jean needs to have a good assessment. Otherwise no one will have enough information to help her learn to the best of her ability.

Our laws have laid out clear rules that must be followed in an assessment process.

Parents must be given written notice and give consent before a school can assess a child
Parents must be notified of the skills being assessed as well as be given a clear explanation of testing process.
Parents must be assured that the testing will be done in the child's native language and that no single test will determine the child eligibility for special education.
Student will be assessed by qualified personnel in all areas related to suspected disability with fair and accurate instruments that do not discriminate.
Parents must be given a copy of the assessment report, especially information used to recommend eligibility for special education services.
Parents must be allowed to have all assessments considered, including those that parents may have contracted privately.
If parents think the school's assessment is wrong, they may request an independent evaluation and the school will pay.
Parents may request mediation or a due process hearing if agreement cannot be reached on assessment procedures or results.
Parents may present a written complaint to the Texas Education Agency if they think a state or federal rule on this procedure is not being followed.

When Sarah Jean and her parents have finally waded through this process, Sarah will be qualified to benefit from Special Services. Please notice I did not say special education classes. In the Richardson ISD, special education is supposed to be a service not a place. Sarah Jean's parents should accept nothing less if they want Sarah Jean to learn to live an ordinary life.

Thank you once again for material from to the ARC of Texas' book "What a good IDEA!"

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Nancy Lambert Davenport
EMAIL: ndavenport@ticnet.com
URL: http://www.nancyldavenport.com