| Are you the parent of a child with autism? Are you | | | | OSEP published its question #12 opinion in the Federal |
| the parent of achild receiving special education | | | | Register Volume |
| services? Would you like to learnparenting tips that will | | | | 57, No. 183, Sept. 29, 1992 interpreting tape recording |
| help you become an equal participant in yourchild's | | | | IEP meetingsand stated "that it is permissible to tape |
| Individual Education Plan (IEP) meeting? This article | | | | IEP meetings at the optionof either the parents or the |
| willdiscuss 3 ways that tape recording can help you in | | | | agency." |
| advocating for anappropriate education for your child | | | | There have also been several law suits that have |
| with a disability | | | | given parents theright to tape record IEP meetings. |
| 3 ways to use tape recording: | | | | One of these court cases in |
| 1. Tape recording can allow you to focus on what is | | | | Connecticut V.W. v. Favolise had the court reason that |
| happening duringthe meeting, rather than focusing on | | | | parents have astatutory right, to attend and participate |
| taking notes. Listen toeverything that is going on, and | | | | in IEP meetings, and thedistrict could not legally engage |
| do write down important things. Speakup and give | | | | in an act to limit the parentsrights. |
| your opinion as often as you need to, for the benefit | | | | If special education personnel refuse to allow you to |
| ofyour child. | | | | tape record,because they say that they have a district |
| 2. If an IEP meeting is tape recorded, you will be able | | | | policy, ask for a writtencopy of the policy. OSEP in a |
| to go over itat a later time, and fill in your notes. It will | | | | memorandum 91-24 July 18, 1991 stated |
| also allow you toremember things that may have | | | | "Thus any policy limiting or prohibiting a parent's right to |
| happened that you missed. IEP meetingscan be | | | | taperecord the proceedings at an IEP meeting must |
| adversarial. A tape recording allows you to listen to | | | | provide for exceptionsif they are necessary to ensure |
| theinteractions in the privacy of your own home. | | | | that the parent is able to understandthe proceedings at |
| 3. Tape recordings of IEP meetings can be used as | | | | the IEP meeting. . ." Ask your school district foran |
| evidence at a dueprocess hearing. In order to use a | | | | exception, so that you can understand the IEP meeting. |
| tape recording, as evidence, itwill have to be | | | | With the written policy in hand, cancel the IEP meeting, |
| transcribed. Tape recorders should be digital, | | | | and send astate complaint to your state department |
| andpowerful enough to pick up several different | | | | of education. Tell them thatyou asked school personnel |
| people's voices. | | | | for an exception and they refused. Thestate will have |
| A lot of special education personnel become very | | | | 60 days to resolve your complaint. |
| resistant whenparents want to tape record IEP | | | | Tape recording can help you be an active participant in |
| meetings. Below is an interpretationof tape recording | | | | your child's |
| under IDEA, by the Office of Special Education | | | | IEP meeting. Your child is depending on your help, do |
| Programs (OSEP). | | | | not let themdown. |