When should I receive my child's evaluation reports?

Question from a parent: I have a team meeting on Friday, but haven’t received my child’s evaluation results? Should school provide me with a copy of the reports prior to our Team meeting? 

As equal team members, it is important that parents have information that is necessary for meaningful participation. Massachusetts has established procedures that require the District to provide parents with copies of assessments reports prior to the IEP meeting. 

Each person conducting an assessment must summarize in writing the procedures employed, the results, and the diagnostic impression, and must define in detail and in educationally relevant and common terms, the student's needs, offering explicit means of meeting them. The assessor may recommend appropriate types of placements, but cannot recommend specific classrooms or schools (i.e., predetermination, discussed in my next blog!). Summaries of assessments must be completed prior to discussion by the Team and, upon request, must be made available to the parents at least two days in advance of the Team discussion at the meeting. Important phrases - Upon request, and at least two days. While it is best practice for schools to provide parents with the reports prior to the meeting (and the law), a parent must request these reports (always do in writing) from the school, and you are to receive them at least two days in relation to your meeting date. The reports are lengthy and complicated, and you will need time to digest the information. And, do not be shy with your questions! Ask WHY! Ask for clarification. You cannot be an equal team member, provide INFORMED consent, and sign a legal document, if you do not truly do not understand or know the facts! #specialeducation #specialeducationadvocate #FAPE #IEP #IEPmeeting #Autism #ADHD #Dyslexia #504Plan