Hampton Roads Special Education Parent Support Group

JoAnn’s Corner JoAnn@disabilitydeception.com

Special Education person: Your child needs to be evaluated now because he is having behavioral problems. We have the right to evaluate your child whenever we want to, and we can do whatever tests we want to!”

All of these are untrue! A school district can ask to evaluate your child, but a parent still must sign a consent form—therefore give permission for the testing. A parent can refuse to give permission for school testing—especially when the parent does not understand why the testing is being done. In this parents case I believe that the school district wanted to test the child, so that they could change his identifying category (some people call label—under which a child receives special education services) to emotionally/behaviorally disordered!

IDEA states that parents must give informed consent for testing of their child. I have interpreted informed consent to be that the parent has the right to give input on the tests given to their child. I also insist that the specific tests be written on the testing form, before the parent signs the form! Why do I insist on this? Because this way the school district cannot give the child tests that have not been discussed, or tests that the parent does not agree with. In this child’s case he was given a BASC-2 test (Behavior Assessment System for Children-2nd edition) without the parents knowing about it. The parents were also not given a chance to answer the questions themselves—only the school district, which I believe makes the results not reliable. Also, make sure that your school district is evaluating your child in all areas of suspected disability.

**Advocacy tip: Any time that your school district asks to evaluate your child sooner than 3 years; be sure you find out why and be involved in determining what tests your child is given (remember you must gibe informed consent). Make sure that test names are written down—before you give written consent for the testing. Check and make sure that tests not agreed to are not included.

**Advocacy tip: Remember that when a child has behavior that interferes with their education, school districts must consider use of positive behavioral supports and plans. Schools are also required to use research based practices which is the use of positive behavioral supports and plans, and also teaching children appropriate behavior! Get your E book today and learn how to be actively involved in the process of developing positive behavioral supports!

I have heard from some parents that say that they do not worry so much about what tests are being used; because if the parent disagrees with the testing they have the right to an IEE at public expense! This is true, but I do try and get school districts to at least pick appropriate tests!