Q: There are times when a parent is not present at a meeting, but there are places in the paperwork that need to be signed. What do I do?
A: The short answer is: it depends. Here are some situations:
1. Annual IEP Review Coversheet: Documents who was present and participated in the IEP meeting, therefore, if the parent was not in attendance (which should be the exception, not the norm), the sheet should not be sent home to be signed. Document that parents were provided the Procedural Safeguards Notice (PSN) and if grade appropriate, options for student taking the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam (HSGQE) in the Other Relevant Factors of the Prior Written Notice (PWN).
If a parent participated by phone, please print on the parent signature line “attended via telephone.” Do not
sign for the parent on the line.
2. Consent for Evaluation/ Re-evaluation: Parent must sign. Verbal consent is not acceptable. Be sure to call the parent and review the information, then send the consent form home to be signed.
3. Consent for Initial Placement in Special Education: Parent must sign. Verbal consent is not acceptable. Be sure to call the parent and review the information, then send the consent form home to be signed.
Q: What is the IN criteria that I have heard about?
R: IN stands for Intensive Needs. The IN criteria refers to a funding source for students who meet the criteria. Program managers have a checklist that is used to determine if a student meets this criteria. Program managers also document in the Sped Launcher Database when a student meets the criteria. Eligibility is determined annually. When there will be major changes to aspects of the IEP for students who meet the eligibility criteria for IN funding, please check in with your program manager as there may be additional information that needs to be discussed.
Q: How can I tell in the Sped Launcher Database whether my students meet the IN criteria?
A: There is a statement on the IEP Info Screen for the student. If the student does not meet the criteria, there will be no statement. If the student meets the criteria, this statement will appear:
