re: Sandy Hook Commission Draft: Homeschoolers are evil

If the majority of IEP parents are turning over their medical records to the school district where you are, that is crazy. The school system is in a constant CYA mode. Doing what is legally required or what they can get away with because parents don't know any better. Which has always been my problem with "advocates" that work within the system. It's a conflict of interest IMO. I always advise providing the documentation rather than turning over any rights to anything. In my experience, the teachers want to help the children, but their hands are tied by bureaucrats and red tape within the system. I was working with a family in NO yesterday that is having issues with compliance because of they, like so many others, went into the IEP thinking the school had their child's best interest first and foremost. It may be first, but it's tied with district finances and many times the egos of the administration. Idk where you are, but it's not nearly as rosy of a picture here as you seem to be painting.

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In my experience, the teachers want to help the children, but their hands are tied by bureaucrats and red tape within the system.

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That's how government works, at ALL levels.
It takes advantage of good hard-working people, uses them to do their dirty work, and then hides behind them when the pitchforks start flying.

Disgusting.

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If the majority of IEP parents are turning over their medical records to the school district where you are, that is crazy.

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No. We only obtain medical information when it is required for eligibility purposes (i.e., other-health impairment, Autism in my state). We actually have specific forms that the Dr. fills out so is is very narrow. Besides, release forms typically require details of the information needed; it is not a blanket request, at least I would hope not.

Unless there is information that contains evaluations by other related providers which may be the case for early intervention services with OT/PT/speech that are transferring to school-age services, I would not want a medical releases for other diagnostic categories. That is, unless for some reason, the parent insists, or there is some medical condition that may contribute to the disability or impairments (i.g., neurological conditions, genetic conditions).

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Which has always been my problem with "advocates" that work within the system. It's a conflict of interest IMO.

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I agree. I typically think of advocates as independent of the school; although, the best advocates probably have great relationships with parents and the school.

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Idk where you are, but it's not nearly as rosy of a picture here as you seem to be painting.

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O I know my perspective is skewed because I have typically had positive experiences with parents and schools. In addition, I'm not usually involved in the IEP process, although I can be if requested. I understand services can be more complicated due to finances (e.g., a one-on-one aid).

What I like about my position is that I have clear legal and ethical guidelines to follow, and my superior is not at the school-level. Although it is sometimes extremely complicated, my job is to find the most "objective" explanation. I truly value the information from educators and parents; however, if all evidence points one way, then I am ethically-obligated to report that, regardless if there is agreement of the school and/or the parents. Sure it is ultimately a team decision, and we almost always agree, but I by no means at the will of anything but the ethical and legal requirements (as well as basic best-practices).

That being said, my mother-in-law is a teacher in a small district in a different state. I couldn't believe how poorly their administration handled a recent situation; it disgusts me and I let her know all the time, although she agrees with me. So I know that it is not so rosy.

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Then, they said they needed to speak to him about the diagnosis and why he thought that homebound was necessary. Um, no. The doctor's role is to let the system know of a diagnosis and any recommendations, which ours did.

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Yeah. Usually the difficulty is trying to get parents to realize that medical information may be necessary, but educational decisions are made by the team (which the Dr. sometimes is apart of); not trying to get the Dr. to actually make the decision beyond his recommendation. I guess I could see where there are some abnormal medical limitations that the Dr. could better explain, but I assume that he did in the documentation.

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But, the special ed system here is horrible.

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I would imagine this is a administrative/systems problem, not so much on the SPED teachers themselves; they seem to be some of the best in the school (not always though).

In regards to the general conversation about homeschooling, your situation makes sense. And compared to some parents, you seem to have a strong understanding to education process itself. It's parents that don't have that knowledge where things can become problematic in a homeschool setting.

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I disagree with a doctor being part of the team. His job is to diagnose, treat and document a medical condition. And sometimes make recommendations related to that condition. Not to sit in on on educational meetings. I want him working on a cure, not arguing with the school. But that's just my opinion

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I definitely agree. Although there are uncommon situations (rare disorders) that the team may not completely understand, but that information should be able to be presented in the medical information that the physician provided. That being said, if the parents and physician feel that the medical, behavioral, and cognitive manifestations cannot be clearly articulated in a written statement, I wouldn't be opposed to a physician's presence. That being said, there involvement should be for information and clarification about the disorder, not to make any educational decisions. This wouldn't be necessary for medical conditions that are more common (e.g., ADHD, Autism, Down's Syndrome, etc.).

Personally, I've never had a situation where this was even an issue, but this seems to be more common in extremely affluent, high-achieving districts. In particular, I guess it's not uncommon for eligibility and IEP meetings to have both physicians (primarily psychiatrists) and lawyers present at meetings. I gather that these were not usually for complicated issues (e.g., need for a one-on-one aid) but instead to get students with relatively common diagnoses (ADHD) accommodations to provide evidence for the same accommodations when ACTs and SATs came around. Parents want (can't blame them) to increase the likelihood that their children get into the best schools.

Anyways, I'm getting way off-topic. Again, I am not against homeschooling whatsoever. I do, however, recognize the potential drawbacks; according to some on here, this makes me a busybody, who wants to control parents' educational decisions. I do recognize situations where it can be an appropriate, if not, the best option (your's as a prime example). I've enjoyed the conversation. Best of luck with your child's education, and I hope that you have better experiences with schools in the future.