Should My Wordless Kid Go to School with Your Normal Child?
I’d like to clarify couple of things that other commenters wrote:
Kirk wrote: “The problem is that the dividing line between those who are entitled and those who are not is completely arbitrary! Or, to put it another way, is there any student at any level who wouldn’t benefit from the individualized attention of an IEP? Of course not!” Actually, it is NOT arbitrary at all. Federal code actually stipulates certain classifications of disabilities (and defines them) which make one eligible for an IEP. The states have some leeway to expand upon those categories if they choose but may not limit them beyond the scope of IDEA. (See 20 USC Section 1401 for Definitions)
Bernard F, your point about home schooling doesn’t carry throughout all states. In *most* states a child may be home schooled and still be eligible for funding for services mandated under IDEA 2004. Please note that the funding comes directly throuhg the school district or through federal and state grants. There is no separate “pot” of money for home schooling. In addition, some states have gone so far as to legislate the classification of home schooling as “non public” which means anyone choosing to home school their child with special education needs (requiring an IEP) are not eligible for any funding guaranteed as part of the “Free appropriate public education” (aka FAPE) mandated by law. So parents such as myself are left to determine how much they are willing to fight with the school districts or the state for that **appropriate** education or if we must simply “suck it up” and do it ourselves.
