Myths of Special Education

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) has a great, informative website on special education regulations and procedures.  Among the wonderful tools on the ADE website, the website also addresses common myths.  I'm going to highly some of the myths here.  

Does LRE (Least Restrictive Environment) mean the general education classroom?

NO!  Schools are obligated to provide free and APPROPRIATE public education (FAPE).  I capitalized the salient word "appropriate."  The most appropriate environment could be a self-contained (LRE C) classroom.  Schools must consider to the maximum extent APPROPRIATE educating students in their regular classroom.  

Do Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Multidisciplinary Evaluation Teams (MET) vote when making decisions?

NO!  I have been part of METs and IEPs where the case manager asked the team to vote, but this is inconsistent with the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, which Arizona is part of.  The court stated that taking a vote has the potential for encouraging parties to "stack the deck."  Moreover, parents are provided a prior written notice (PWN) of the final decision and an opportunity for due process if they disagree.  

Can medical doctors prescribe special education? NO.

Do parents have to sign an IEP before it can be implemented?  No, not according to IDEA or the Arizona State Board of Education.

Do parents have to approve an IEP before it can be implemented?  No.

Source: https://www.azed.gov/specialeducation/myths-of-special-education

Do you have questions about special education?  If so, contact me!  I've been a certified school psychologist since 2010 and have facilitated numerous METs and have been part of on numerous IEPs.  You can reach me via text (602.699.4543) or email (info@andersenpsychology.com).