DO YOU SUSPECT YOUR CHILD HAS ACADEMIC CONCERNS?

DeSoto Parish Schools may be able to help a child who has a learning problem or disability.

With parental permission, services could include:

• Free screening to learn if your child should be evaluated.

• If screening indicates, an evaluation may be conducted to see what type of help your child may need.

• If the evaluation finds your child to need services, services may include free special education instruction, speech services, adapted physical education, occupational services, and/or physical therapy services.

For further assistance for children ages three or younger, contact:

Jennifer Parker
DeSoto Parish Child Find Coordinator
318-872-6550
jennifer.parker@desotopsb.com

For further assistance for school-aged children, read below for more information and reach out to your school's SBLC chairperson.

STEPS TO ADDRESS ACADEMIC CONCERNS

Children who have academic concerns can be referred to the School Building Level Committee (SBLC). This committee meets at a regular schedule at your child's school.

The SBLC roles are to:

• Look at the student’s strengths first and develop solutions based on the identified strengths

• Analyze screening and assessment data as well as background information in the areas of school, home/ family and health to identify solutions to address areas of concern.

• Develop an action plan of interventions and supports designed to address student’s needs.

• Monitor action items and conduct a follow-up SBLC meeting to review the results of interventions, make adjustments, and continue to strategize positive solutions.

The SBLC can decide, with the parent, to refer a child for a Special Education Evaluation, if warranted.

To speak to someone about your child's concerns at school and make a referral for your child to the SBLC, please contact your school and ask for the SBLC Chairperson.

WHAT IS A SPECIAL EDUCATION EVALUATION?

When a child is suspected of being in need of special education services, they may be referred for an initial evaluation. This initial evaluation determines whether or not your child has a disability and needs special education and related services. It also determines the educational needs of your child.

While the specific procedures for an evaluation may vary, for all evaluations, DeSoto Parish will use a variety of assessment tools and strategies to gather information about your child’s needs, including information from you that you think is important to share. Assessments must not be discriminatory and will be administered by trained and knowledgeable professionals. The assessment should match the specific educational needs of your child, and it should have everything it needs to be able to identify all of your child’s special education needs.

Once a timely (within 60 working days) evaluation has been completed, the evaluation team will meet with you to discuss the results. In this meeting you will receive a copy of the evaluation results. Additionally, you and the evaluation team will discuss the evaluation results and other information about your child and determine whether your child is a child with a disability. During this time you will participate in the determination of the educational needs of your child.

WHAT IS AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN (IEP)?

After your child has been evaluated and if he or she is found eligible for services, a meeting will be held to develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for your child to provide special education and related services in the public school. An IEP is a document that is developed to meet the specific and unique needs of your child. At the IEP meeting, you will work with school representatives to determine the special education supports and services that will meet the needs of your child.

You are a very important part of the IEP team. Your child’s school will take steps to make sure you have the opportunity to participate in the creation of your child’s IEP.

Your child's IEP is designed to support your child and should include:

• Your child’s present levels of academic and functional performance

• IEP Goals (Specific skills that you and the rest of the IEP team want to see your child accomplish).

• A description of how the goals will be measured and tracked

• The special education, related services, accommodations, and modifications your child will receive

• Consideration of any other special factors (health, communication, behavior, assistive technology, etc.)

IEP Review:

• An IEP meeting must be held annually. At this IEP meeting, the team will look at your child’s goals and determine whether or not they are being achieved. The IEP will be changed or updated to include new goals, new evaluation information, and any other relevant information about your child. You may request an IEP review meeting at any time in order to revise your child’s IEP.

RIGHTS OF PARENTS OF A CHILD WITH AN EXCEPTIONALITY

Parents of students with exceptionalities have rights. The guide linked below was developed by the Louisiana Department of Education to help parents navigate the complex system of special education in public schools.

Louisiana Educational Rights of Children with Disabilities: https://louisianabelieves.com/docs/default-source/academics/louisiana's-educational-rights-of-children-with-disabilities.pdf?sfvrsn=8e7ffce2_17

ADDITIONAL LINKS

• Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans: https://fhfofgno.org/about-us/families-helping-families-network

• LA DOE SPED: https://www.louisianabelieves.com/students-with-disabilities