The Case Conference
Requesting the conference:
The case conference is the vehicle for determining eligibility
and modifications for your child. It is a meeting with the
principal or other administrator, a special education teacher,
school psychologist, at least one general education teacher,
yourself and any person(s) you may wish to bring with you. School
personnel are accustomed to requesting these conferences, so it
may be unusual for them to receive the request from a parent. Do
not let this fluster you.
If you wish to bring an advocate with you, we have some parents who have recently gone through a case conference. Jeff Hart went through IN-SOURCE training and is our trained advocate, able to help with case conferences for children with AD/HD.
Before the meeting:
Look at your child's school file. If you don't have one, start a
file regarding your child's education and medical issues. If you
have medical documentation of your child's AD/HD, this is very
important and should be shared with the school. Keep a notebook
by your phone to record conversations and information from the
school. Bring all this to the meeting. Evaluations, test results,
grades, medical records, psychiatric or psychological information
will be useful. If this is an eligibility meeting, try to bring all the relevant material you have (for instance the six requirements listed in the Applying For Services page. If you have had a previous case conference, bring the previous IEP (Individual Education Plan). Return the conference notification letter as soon as possible to confirm your meeting time. If the time is inconvenient, request a new time. Being assertive and helpful is a plus in this situation.
Make a list of things the teachers and staff can do to make your child's education more successful. You can use the Accomodations for Student sample sheet as a guide. Be prepared with a list of changes before the meeting to help stay focussed. Talk to your child's teachers to see what they might advise. find out what teaching strategies succeeded or failed with your child so you can request changes for next year.
Talk to other persons who have helped your child, such as a counselor or social worker or doctor, to get their advice. Think about how to prepare your child for the future and try to set goals that will help him succeed.
Some school personnel will recommend that your child attend the case conference at the middle and high school levels. We strongly advice against this practice. Unless you know the staff well and feel entirely confident that they will always do the right thing, do not take your child with you. Involve your child in course selection and alternative placement decisions.
At the Case Conference:
Parents are often nervous and sometimes intimidated by this
meeting. You need to be prepared. Come looking professional and
organized. Remember, everyone is there to plan for an appropriate
educational program for your child. Reinforce the team effort by
stating that you view the case conference in that light. Try to
be very positive. tell the team how you feel about your child's
educational program this year. Disccus the strengths and weakness
of the program.
Keep your own notes on what is said at the meeting. Tape recording is highly recommended, so you don't need to think about note-taking so much. Ask for copies of any papers in your child's file, including all formal tests or assessments of your child. If you do not understand something, request clarification. If you disagree with what is being planned, say so and suggest what you prefer.
A new requirement in IDEA is that a "functional behavioral assessment" be made of the student. Make sure the assessment goals are appropriate for your child and that teachers are helping him meet them. They are supposed to contact you regularly about attainment and challenges.
Here are a few things to consider during your conference:
If time runs short and the conference cannot be completed, as to continue it later. You do not have to agree to anything at this meeting.
After the Meeting:
Read the IEP (Individualized Education Plan) when it comes in the
mail. Make sure it corresponds exactly with what you agreed to at
the meeting. Contact school personnel to clarify it, if
necessary. If you do not agree with it, do not sign it and
request a new meeting. if you agree with it, sign it and mail it
back. Keep a copy for your files.
Followup:
Keep an eye on what is happening with your child at school.
Parents may visit their child's classroom anytime after signing
in at the principal's office. Make sure the school is following
through on the IEP. If they are not, request that they do and if
they continue to refuse, request a new case conference and call
the State Department of Special Education.
Chances are, all will be well.
Good Luck!