You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

FAB, BIP, ADHD, RTI, IEP, PTI, FAPE, VTTSS, LRE, PLP, IEE, VDOE, LEA, FOIA, IDEA, OCR, SEA, MDR, and PEATC.

What do these initials mean to you?   Anything?

With this abundance of initials, you can probably guess that the abbreviations have something to do with a government program.  If this is your first thought, you are right.  But which government program?  The acronyms relate to a program that should be near and dear to all of our hearts.  It has to do with our kids and their education. 

All this alphabet soup’s common link is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  Also known as Public Law 108-446, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004.  In this law, the federal government lays out the requirements that all states must meet regarding education for special needs children.  More specifically, the states are required to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to their students, including those with a disability.

   You might be surprised about the broad definition of students with a disability.  The IDEA includes in the definition of a “child with a disability” specific disabilities such as intellectual disability, learning disabilities, and other health impairments such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  The student’s educational performance must be adversely affected due to the identified condition.  A parent should understand that their child’s educational achievement is not limited to academic performance.  

The cornerstone of IDEA, our nation’s special education law, is that each eligible boy or girl, with a special need, is entitled to a free appropriate public education or FAPE.  The standard for a free, appropriate, public education is that appropriate applies to what is appropriate specifically to your child.  A FAPE requires an educational plan designed to meet your child’s unique needs.  This individual educational plan, which is called an IEP, must also include steps that prepare your child for further education, employment, and independent living.

Yes, the federal government requires all school districts to provide a free appropriate public education to a special needs student.  The student must live within the school district’s jurisdiction and have one of a list of emotional or physical challenge.  Your school district is required to provide an appropriate education for your child regardless of the nature or severity of the student’s challenges. 

IDEA also sets a standard of rigorous academic standards and a high expectation for our children.   What this means is that just passing an academic grade is not enough.  For example, if your child is reading below his or her grade level due to a physical or emotional struggle, the school district is required to develop a plan to improve your child’s reading level. 

Where can you find help with obtaining the appropriate education for your child?  Advice from the Bible, “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.” (Proverbs 11:14) Interpretation of this verse, get help now!

PEATC is our PTI.  To translate, the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) is the parent training information center (PTI) that serves professionals and families of children with disabilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The PEATC website (peatc.org) stated goal is to promote respectful, collaborative partnerships between parents, schools, professionals, and the community that increase the possibilities of success for children with disabilities. 

One way PEATC does this is to offer free seminars to help you understand all the ins and outs of the regulations designed to help your son or daughter obtain an education.  Remember the phase – appropriate for your child!  One valuable tool you will find at the seminar is a room full of parents facing similar struggles as you face.   

The school year is fast approaching.  Don’t hesitate, don’t pass go, reach out, and get the help you need to effectively support your daughter or son.  You can find this help by just calling 703-923-0010, 800-869-6782, or emailing partners@peatc.org.  Suzanne Bowers is the executive director at PEATC.  Her team stands ready and is excited to help empower you to negotiate the education and service maze.

Point your kids in the right direction — when they’re old they won’t be lost.  Proverbs 22:6

Cheryl Gowin and Dennis Gowin.  Call us with your feedback, comments, issues, or questions; our phone number is 434-808-2637.