Creating and Maintaining a Homefile:
A Notebook About Your Child
Why is it important for parents to keep a Homefile?
Many professionals, including teachers, specialists and doctors,
come and go. You are often the one constant in your child's life.
This is why it is so important for you to keep track of your child's
information. Examples of information to include in the Homefile
are: information from physicians, teachers, therapists, counselors;
records of screenings, observations and evaluations; minutes from
Pupil Evaluation Team (PET) meetings; a copy of the Individual
Education Plan (IEP); notes from staff or other informal educational
meetings; letters to and from community members such as Sunday
school teachers, Scout leaders, camp counselors. It is also important
to keep track of phone calls and conversations.
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Remember, if it isn't in writing, it doesn't exist. |
Schools maintain several records on your child, often kept in
different areas. Sometimes, the school your child attends will
have a record of academic achievement and the special education
department will have a record containing evaluations and IEP's.
Often you are the only one who has copies of ALL your child's
records!
If you need copies of your child's educational records, the school
must provide you with access to them. They may charge you a nominal
fee for copies.
| The Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), sometimes referred to
as the Buckley Amendment, gives parents of students
under age 18 and students 18 or older the right to see,
seek correction of, and control access to school records.
According to the Maine Special Education Regulations,
“the school shall comply with a request for access
without unnecessary delay and before any meeting regarding
an IEP or any due process hearing relating to the identification,
evaluation, or placement of the student, and in no case
more than 45 days after the request has been made.”
(MSER, Chapter 101, Section 15.3., p. 99) |
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| Timeline
For request for student records |
| School
responds to request for student records no more
than 45 days after request. |
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It is never too late to start a Homefile! |
Keeping track of the many types of information is extremely important.
Developing a Homefile can be overwhelming, emotional and worthwhile.
One way to start is with a large three ring binder divided into
four basic groups; written, verbal, reference, and personal information.
FMI: See Dividers for Creating & Maintaining
a Homefile at the end of this Chapter.
Written Communication
- Meetings - You will have many meetings ranging
from parent-teacher conferences to PET Meetings and everything
in between. Keeping good notes will help you recognize recurring
themes.
- Letters In - Notes and letters sent to you
from teachers and other school personnel should be included.
- Letters Out - Copies of letters you have
sent to school personnel, and others who work with your child.
- Reports - Screenings, observations, and
written evaluations, all organized by date, should also be in
the file.
- Medical Reports - Although the school is
primarily responsible for education, they need to be aware of
medical issues and emergency procedures. Get a copy of the school's
medication policy and communicate with the school nurse regularly
as needed.
- Report Cards/Progress Reports
- Individual Education Program (IEPs)/Individual Family
Service Plans (IFSPs) - Goals and objectives for the
upcoming year. When applicable, Modification Sheets, Transition
Plans, and Behavioral Intervention Plans.
- PET Minutes - Records of discussions at
the PET Meeting.
Verbal Communication
- Phone Logs - When, with whom, and what was
discussed.
- Conversation Log - In-person discussion
with providers and/or school personnel. Be sure to include date,
time, place, content and person.
Reference Information
- Frequently used personal contacts related to your child
- State of Maine Regulations
- This Special Education Guide
- Resource Lists
- School Policies, Student Handbook
- Disability Related Information
- Maine's Learning Results
Personal Information
- Ideas for experiences this year
- A list of your child's strengths
- Photos
- Samples of work
- Likes, dislikes, does well, needs help with
- Individual styles and the qualities of people who have worked
well with your child
- A travel log for mileage if you are reimburse
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Remember you are the expert when it comes to your child! You live with your child and know your child better than anyone. |
| What Has Worked For Me As
A Parent... |
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"I throw everything in the
note book as it comes in and just before the PET comes,
I organize and review all the information. I ask in
a letter that all teachers list things that have worked
and what the challenges are. The list goes into the
notebook on a page titled "NOTES FROM MY TEACHERs"
these pages have helped me gain valuable information
to share with others."
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| Things That Have Worked
For Me As A Teacher... |
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"Communicating about when the
PET is scheduled allows me to have material prepared
to show parents. The better prepared everyone is,
the better results occur."
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| What Has Worked For Me As
A Teacher... |
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I attempt to learn from parents
and students what rewards work as motivators for students.
I ask parents to share their concerns. I contact parents
prior to meetings.
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