Help with assessments/reevaluations/invalid/mediation/

[Janis]

My 9th grade Twins are now in HS in PA (moved from CA 1 yr ago).  They have Autism, ADHD, SLD written expression.  Multiple issues with district: 

our initial ERs completed 1/28/25.  I am just grasping that District administered WIATs in 11/24 and retested in 12/24.  RETESTED WIAT-4!  And they have evaded all of my questions and lied.  I posed this question to assistant superintendent “are the 12/24 WIATs retests?” He will not answer.  Prior to my understanding that they did this, I asked for IEEs, they refused so I withdrew my request (not going into due process alone again).  The next day they issued requests for re-evaluations, alocuting certain assessments (TOWL4) but won’t confirm using the essay composition subtest because that is where my students do not have “average” scores. 
District cited their extensive and exhaustive assessments to deny the IEE, but then issues these reevaluation requests for only the TOWL 4 and review of records.  I’m sure to exit one kiddo ou out of special ed.  The Consult line informed me yesterday that I cannot request IEEs again now because the district is proposing to reevaluate.  They also said I cannot dispute the initial ERs (completed 1/28/26) now that district wants to reevaluate.  In addition to invalid WIATs there are other issues such as including all scores that I provided Except the towl4 essay composition score from 2023. They cherry-pick everything.  They also had one teacher fill out sensory ratings (after having students for 2 weeks),  said my kiddo did not qualify for speech anymore then gave him some speech services then just stopped and refuse to provide any records of this I requested and later an attorney requested… nothing.  2 weeks into 9th grade, one kiddo is called “stuttering autistic freak” plus much more ongoing, but at the 2 IEP meetings after that, they insist that he tested average in speech and doesn’t qualify.

I have not been able to get an advocate, and potential attorney insists on IEEs (that will be around $13k for 2 kids and, District only has to “consider” privately funded IEEs.  
There are more issues (electronically signing my signature without my consent, sending NOREPs through automated system (that I don’t access and they are fully aware…. Then telling me the programming is in place because the NOREPS were issued over 10 days ago).,, it goes on.

i really want to write state complaints but i am not sure which are procedural issues or what to ask as a remedy.

district also filed for mediation citing “we refuse to revise IEPs and NOREPs via email” which is funny because I will only do hard copy but….they filed these 2 hours after my meeting with superintendent, and emailed me asking me to list my areas of issue and peppered certain issues I believe because they wanted to add my big issues to their mediation, and when there is no agreement, they can file for due process on the issues that they want a quick and favorable ruling so I can not bring it myself when I have an attorney ( attorney wants IEEs done before representing us).

ugh… 

 

[JSD24]

My best advice is to write a parent concerns letter and ask for it to be copied into the IEP.  https://adayinourshoes.com/parent-concerns-on-the-iep-parent-letter-of-attachment/  A 2nd eval with the same test within a year = invalid results.  If the school is working on a reeval, you do need to wait for those results and then ask for an IEE - you cannot do an IEE and school eval at the same time because you cannot retest with the same test within a year.  In the concerns letter mention about the school dropping the results of the old TOWL4 essay results.  (Always remember:  If it's not in writing, it didn't happen.)

It's not bullying unless it happens more than once but things like name calling can be reported via Safe2Say.  To exit from speech, they need a speech eval.  Copies of evals need to be given to parents.  (Did they email it & you had tech issues?)  My child tested average too but she's gifted and could mask well enough to throw off the SLP.  They really needed to do the optional extended part of the assessment (this was the TOPL).

In PA, the parent has 10 days to disagree with the NOREP or the IEP goes into effect.  Not sure what happens if it's sent electronically & you can't access it.  (I had one mailed & USPS took 15 days to get it to me.  I have a feeling it went into effect before I had a copy.)  No meet revisions to IEPs are supposed to be for small things like you needing a paper copy of things because your tech can't access what the school sends electronically.  This is where a call might be good so you can come to school & get paperwork rather than sending it home with your child or risking the USPS & a delay.

In addition to the Consult Line, PEAL can help clarify things.  https://pealcenter.org/

I'm surprised the assistant superintendent was aware enough of special ed to be willing to talk to you.  In my district, this tends to be dealt with by the pupil services director.  If you still have questions, post back.