Need advice on obtaining a IEP for my Daughter

It depends on the state. Unfortunately, many states use the discrepancy model where even several mild LDs are not enough for classification.

Beth

Beth is right; the other difficulty is that the schools don’t seem to realize that if the kiddo and parents are doing a ton of extra work, that can help compensate for a very real disability.
www.wrightslaw.com has some good resources for working through these issues, though. Mainly you want to get all of that stuff in writing, on the record (that she is still struggling, specifically with language and reading and writing, and you are doing X Y and Z about it).

Thank you for your advice,
We have a eligibility meeting on march 13th.I have contacted our local parent network for guidance.

My question for all of you who seem so knowledgeable is:
my DD has been DX with a reading disorder and is actually reading at grade level.Her reading specialist says her decoding and fluency skills are week as well as comprehension and she is writing at a 2nd grade level.
Will the SPED dept look at the fact that she is reading at grade level and say “no IEP”?
Do they have to consider an IEE diagnoses at all?
Right now she is receiving OG instruction 4 days a week for 20 minutes and working out of a 2nd grade spelling book to reinforce vowel patterns.All of this was made possible due to her wonderful 4th grade teacher.She is also having my DD use a alphasmart for most of her writing.I really want all of this to be in a IEP as well as additional time on tests .
If we are denied,where do we go next,due process?
Would it be smart to hire an advocate?
My DD will be making the transition from elementary to middle school next year so time is ticking for us.Right now her teacher has really developed and individual plan for her but there are no guarantees for middle school.
Any advice you could offer would be so greatly appreciated,Thank you!!
Margaret :?:

A diagnosis that doesn’t result in a discrepancy in performance won’t get you an IEP. I would focus on the writing and try to get her classified as having a writing disorder. Then get her the alpha smart and what ever accomdations she needs for the writing (extended time for example).

Once you get her classified on some basis, you have opened the door for whatever else you think she needs. At one point, my son was classified as having a specific language disability but was receiving pull out help for math. My impression (and I am not a legal expert) is that once they have an IEP they are obligated to deal with the rest of it as well.

Beth

Yes, it’s very possible that they will look at the reading level and say (with a weary tone in their voices) “No IEP” (and perhaps a comment to you about all the children they work with who have ‘real problems’ which, of course, is supposed to make you feel better?).
Basically, I’d make sure all the interventions you *are* doing are in writing, in detail; and include that her success is due to these intensive interventions. If it’s not in an IEP (this time through the process) then you’ve got the groundwork for further action.
Having an ally who knows the laws **and** the realities of your locale would be an excellent idea. (If nary a due process case has been won by parents in 10 years, then what the laws *say* probably won’t matter.) \
It could be that you simply need to convey that the school can work with you, with an IEP that basically provides exactly the same stuff she’s getting now - and it will simply be doing what the school’s supposed to do… as opposed to spending their resources and yours in a pointless battle.
I would implore you to try to work *with* them, thinking of the possible consequences for the wonderful teacher… I’d hate for the teacher to be told “why did you do all this? Look at the trouble you’ve caused, don’t do it again!” On the other hand, the fact that they hired that teacher and hopefully support her efforts is a good sign.