Sumit
One of the first things I lenraed in my quest to be a better advocate for my children was advice from Pete Wright's website to start a 3 ring binder and save everything. Seriously. This was one of the first things I did, way back when my oldest daughter (now a freshman) was in first grade, was to begin a binder. None of my kids had yet been identified but I knew it was just a matter of time Last year, my documentation was a critical piece to prompt the LEA to settle after we'd filed for a due process hearing. The district's position began to crumble when their attorney insisted that the school staff claimed I'd revoked consent for the school to have any contact with my child's mental health professional. In fact, I'd sent written communication to the school (which I saved) and written communication to the doctor that they could communicate by phone ONLY if I was included in the call and could communicate in writing ONLY if I was cc'd on all communication. I had not revoked consent at all. After that, it was downhill for the district when everything they insisted was true was promptly verified, in THEIR documentation, as being untrue.So, you're right on the money and your advice is critical to all parents of students with disabilities. Save everything, it might be important one day. P.S. Question for you, Jen: I've begun to scan and keep all my documentation in electronic format (hoping to reduce the glut of papers in my house). Is it worth doing this or is the original hard copy all that counts?
Sumit One of the first things I lenraed in my quest to be a better advocate for my children was advice from Pete Wright's website to start a 3 ring binder and save everything. Seriously. This was one of the first things I did, way back when my oldest daughter (now a freshman) was in first grade, was to begin a binder. None of my kids had yet been identified but I knew it was just a matter of time Last year, my documentation was a critical piece to prompt the LEA to settle after we'd filed for a due process hearing. The district's position began to crumble when their attorney insisted that the school staff claimed I'd revoked consent for the school to have any contact with my child's mental health professional. In fact, I'd sent written communication to the school (which I saved) and written communication to the doctor that they could communicate by phone ONLY if I was included in the call and could communicate in writing ONLY if I was cc'd on all communication. I had not revoked consent at all. After that, it was downhill for the district when everything they insisted was true was promptly verified, in THEIR documentation, as being untrue.So, you're right on the money and your advice is critical to all parents of students with disabilities. Save everything, it might be important one day. P.S. Question for you, Jen: I've begun to scan and keep all my documentation in electronic format (hoping to reduce the glut of papers in my house). Is it worth doing this or is the original hard copy all that counts?