| Are you a parent of a child with a disability who would | | | | Item 5: You should include the person's name that you |
| like to writeletters to special education personnel, but | | | | are sending theletter to, their title, and school address. |
| do not know what toinclude? Would a short list of | | | | Item 6: The letter should contain a hand signature at |
| things to include be helpful? Thisarticle will address 6 | | | | the bottom ofthe page, of the parent writing the letter. |
| specific items that should be included inletters to special | | | | If the letter is used inthe future, it holds more weight if it |
| education personnel, to make them effective. | | | | is signed. |
| Letters should be one page if possible, and contain | | | | Item 7: The letter should include any written |
| these things: | | | | documentation orreports that help your case. For |
| Item 1: You should include your name in the letter as | | | | Example: I am including a letter fromthe Occupational |
| well as the nameof your child with a disability. If the | | | | Therapist, about the behavioral difficulties mydaughter |
| special education person is anadministrator, they may | | | | has been having during therapy time. After the |
| not know you or your child.That's why it isimportant to | | | | signature putthe word attachments in the left hand |
| include both in the letter. | | | | margin, and list the name of allattachments.Be sure to |
| Item 2: You should include your child's birth date, if you | | | | include the attachments with the letter. |
| are writingto special education personnel who do not | | | | By including, these important items in your letters to |
| know your child. Specialeducation personnel often use | | | | schoolpersonnel, you are ensuring that yourletter is |
| a child's birth date, foridentification purposes. | | | | easy to read and tounderstand. Documentation is |
| Item 3: You should include the date when you are | | | | critical in case of a dispute between youand special |
| writing the letter;the date should include month, day and | | | | education personnel, in the future. Happy Writing!! |
| year. Letters sent to specialeducation personnel | | | | JoAnn Collins is the parent of two adults with |
| become part of your child's school record. Bydating | | | | disabilities, has beenan educational advocate for over |
| them, anyone looking at the record can tell when the | | | | 15 years, an author, as well as aspeaker. The recently |
| letter waswritten. The date the letter was sent may | | | | released book: Disability Deception; Lies |
| be important in the futureif a dispute occurs between | | | | Disability Educators Tell and How Parents Can Beat |
| you and special education personnel. | | | | Them at Their Own |
| Item 4: You should very clearly state the purpose of | | | | Game helps parents develop skills to be an assertive |
| the letter. For | | | | and persistentadvocate for their child. For more free |
| Example: I am writing you today to tell you of my | | | | articles, press release,upcoming speaking |
| concerns for mychild Mary, who I believe may have a | | | | engagements, go to Can be reached at 815-932-9263 |
| learning disability, in the areaof reading. I am asking that | | | | You are welcome to publish this article in its |
| she be tested using a standardizedreading test such | | | | entirety,electronically or in print, free of charge, as long |
| as the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test. When the | | | | as you include myfull signature file, and my Web site |
| testresults are finished, we can discuss them at an IEP | | | | address in hyperlink for othersites. |
| meeting." | | | | |