School leaders and parents of children with special needs do not always agree on the quality of education for students.
So do six parents in the Peoria Unified School District, whose children in Kachina Elementary School's autism program are sent home with mysterious injuries that school leaders refuse to acknowledge. It is said that there is no. In a research report released on World Autism Awareness Day 2024, The Ri told the public.
If such a conflict arises, or if parents feel that their concerns have not been satisfactorily resolved, parents can seek redress in a variety of ways.
Read the findings:Isolation and injury: Parents say school autism programs are fraught with problems
Kimberly Peaslee, a special education consultant, said it's natural for parents to first raise concerns about their child's treatment with the school's teachers and principal. That's step one.
If that doesn't work, parents should then contact the district's superintendent or special education director, she said. The person most responsible for the success of a special education program is the special education director, Peasley said. Mr. Peasley is a past president of the Arizona Council for Exceptional Children, a professional organization dedicated to improving education for special needs and gifted students.
These avenues allow parents to communicate their concerns to outside agents.
Raising Special Kids, a nonprofit organization that supports families of students with disabilities, provides free access to experienced advocates and parents who can help resolve disputes by reviewing documents and attending school meetings. We are affiliated with. This grassroots organization is led by parents who have navigated the special education system themselves and can provide support, information, and training as needed.
The Arizona Disability Law Center also offers free assistance, Peaslee said. The office is staffed by attorneys and paraprofessionals who provide legal services, training, and information to people with disability-related issues. Other special education aides are also available for a fee.
If parents wish to pursue their concerns, they may file a complaint with the Arizona Department of Education's Office of Dispute Resolution or the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights. Both can begin an investigation, which often includes site visits and interviews. The Office of Dispute Resolution investigates procedural violations of federal laws governing special education requirements. The Civil Rights Division is investigating the discrimination allegations.
Contact the reporter at nicholas.sullivan@gannett.com.
