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The Guide to Special Education in Maine

Chapter 12: Reference Materials
 Index . Introduction . Chapters: 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12 

Check Your Maine State Regulations

Some of these statements are vague or misleading. Others are simply general comments that you should question further. Be prepared to research each issue and follow up with educators. The following quotes are a collection of commonly used statements.

  1. This school district doesn't offer a summer program (meaning - doesn't provide an extended school year program). (Section 5.9, p. 24)
  2. We don't have the money to pay for that service. You have to realize that we have a lot of children who receive special education services in this district and we just can't afford to provide everything everyone wants. (Section 1.3, p. 1-2)
  3. We know that your child's (pick the one that fits):
    • Grades have slipped
    • Test scores have dropped
    • Behavior has deteriorated
      Let's just ride out the school year and see if things improve. (Section 7.7, p. 36)
  4. We have to have concrete evidence of your child failing before we can (pick the one that fits your situation):
    • Develop a Behavior Intervention Plan (Section 2.15, p. 6)
    • Do any further evaluations (Section 9.11, p. 47, Section 9.19, p. 51-52)
  5. No, you are not allowed to tape record the PET meeting. (Section 8.10, p. 41)
  6. We know that the PET recommendation calls for two hours of speech therapy per week, but the speech therapist we have under contract simply doesn't have enough time available so we'll have to adjust that to one hour per week instead. (Section 10.5, p. 55-56)
  7. You could pay for that evaluation (or therapy) with your private insurance. (Section 1.3, p. 1-2)
  8. We think your child has ADD/ADHD. You need to get an evaluation. (Section 3.10, p. 12)
  9. Assistive Technology - I'm sorry but your child can't take this home. It has to stay at school so that other students can use it. (Section 2.2 & 2.3, p. 4)
  10. You can see all of your child's records but you can only copy some of them. (Section 15.3, p. 99-100 & 15.7, p. 101)
  11. Your child isn't really mature enough for kindergarten. (Section 3.1A, p. 10)
  12. Your child won't be able to go on that field trip because we don't have enough staff; site is not accessible; bus can't take wheelchairs. (Section 6.17, p. 33, Section 504 and the ADA)
  13. I'm sorry but we have to schedule PET's at this time of day so that the teachers can attend. (Section 8.4, p. 39)
  14. We don't have anyone here qualified to provide adapted physical education. (Section 10.5, p. 55-56)
  15. Your child has been suspended from the school bus. You'll have to drive your child to school yourself. (FAPE - Free Appropriate Public Education Section if you are spending gas money it is not free) (Section 1.3, p. 1-2)
  16. Not all the people who were on the notice for the PET meeting can make it, but we didn't need them all here anyway. (Section 8.5, p. 39-41 & Section 8.6, p. 40-41)
  17. Have you considered getting services through Medicaid? (Section 18.8, p. 109-10)

OTHER OFTEN-HEARD STATEMENTS:

  1. We've never done that before.
    (Not an acceptable answer; perhaps it's time for a change)
  2. Your child with ADD/ADHD will have to lose recess every time your child acts out.
    (Children often need their recess time to expend some energy. Look for an alternative.)
  3. Your child does not qualify for special education services.
    (You should be told that your child may qualify for Section 504 services, and how to proceed).
  4. 21. Your child will have to miss English class so that we can fit physical therapy into the schedule.
    (Ask yourself "Do I really want my child to miss an academic class?" "When will my child make-up the work English class." Consider alternatives such as before or after school)
  5. 22. We don't teach social skills.
    (The IEP should be based on the needs of the child and if that includes social skills, they should be addressed in the goals and objectives. Do they teach children to take turns or work with others?)
  6. Your child should not come to school until:
    • Her teacher is back from a workshop on Friday
    • He has had an evaluation
    • You have taken him for an evaluation
      (Unless your child has officially been removed from school, i.e.: "suspended" your child can go to school.)
 
Chapter 12
1 Quick Reference For Timelines
2 Resource Numbers
3 Websites Related To Special Education
4 Check Your Maine State Regulations

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