| Are you the parent of a child with | | | | help, special education classroom, |
| autism or another disability, thatthinks | | | | specialeducation school etc. |
| your child should be in another | | | | Some school districts use a cooperative |
| placement, other than a | | | | type system, where severalschool |
| regularclassroom. Have you been told by | | | | districts go together to provide special |
| special education personnel, thatthey | | | | education services. |
| only offer inclusion for children, and | | | | The bottom line is, that special |
| you feel that your childneeds more | | | | education personnel are responsiblefor |
| intense special education services? This | | | | giving your child a free appropriate |
| article willexplain continuum of | | | | public education (FAPE). |
| placement options, which is part of the | | | | If your school district is not giving, |
| Individuals with Disabilities Education | | | | your child FAPE, there is aprovision in |
| Act (IDEA). By knowing thelaw, you will | | | | IDEA to place your child in a private |
| be able to more effectively advocate for | | | | school, and seekreimbursement. IDEA |
| your child'seducation. | | | | requirements are very strict in this |
| Continuum of placement option is in IDEA | | | | area, if youdo not follow them, you may |
| at 300.115 This section | | | | lose reimbursement. Make sure |
| "Requires each public agency to ensure | | | | youunderstand what the law says, before |
| that a continuum of | | | | you remove your child and placethem in |
| alternativeplacements (including | | | | private school. The school district will |
| instruction in regular classes, special | | | | probably file for adue process hearing, |
| classes,special schools, home | | | | to prove to a hearing officer that they |
| instruction, and instruction in | | | | aregiving your child FAPE. If you are |
| hospitals andinstitutions), is available | | | | able to prove your case, thehearing |
| to meet the needs of children | | | | officer will require the school district |
| withdisabilities for special education | | | | to reimburse you forthe private school |
| and related services." | | | | costs. |
| This means that school districts can not | | | | School districts are required to give |
| only offer inclusion, tochildren with | | | | children with disabilities acontinuum of |
| disabilities. If your child needs more | | | | placement options to meet their unique |
| intenseeducational services, they must | | | | educational needs. |
| offer those also. The continuum | | | | By understanding this concept you can |
| couldmean more "supplementary aids and | | | | fight for the education thatyour child |
| services in the regular | | | | needs, and deserves. |
| educationenvironment," more resource | | | | |