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