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Special education needs parents’ role
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Posted on Jan 11 1999
Inputs of parents in developing an Individualized Education Program for children with disabilities are critical to ensure their success in school.
In fact, their involvement is required by the federal government with the recent implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997.
Visiting facilitator Gail ImObersteg, from the Special Education Law Associates, said the biggest challenge in providing appropriate education to children with disabilities is to get a correct picture on their current development status right at the very beginning.
“Which is why you want all the people who know the child, who had the most information to sit down (with the panel) like the parents because they are the ones who can paint the right picture,” she said.
She held discussions with community members, school principals and officials of the Pubic School System last week regarding the new law.
According to ImObersteg, the CNMI went further with its special education by ensuring parents’ participation even before the new law was enacted.
“Saipan was already ahead with the rest of the nation because they already had parents participating in eligibility, decision and placement,” she added.
All states and territories are now required to bring parents in the panel to find out their child’s eligibility and placement.
“Mediation would be an outside person coming in to try to mediate if parent and the school can’t agree on what is appropriate for the student,” she said.
A number of lawyers and retired teachers participated in her workshop held on Saipan for individuals who wanted to become mediators and hearing officers.
