You want a what? Seems like kids need a lot. What is reality is some kids need a little extra help in learning. Basiclly that is what and Indivicual Eduction Plan is.

Guranteed by a law #94-124 it means that if your child needs help to get and "Equal, most approriate, and least restrictive" education from the public school system. The school has to provide it free to the child and their family once a child is identified as not making appropriate progress and assessed, at the school districts expense, in an agreed upon plan between educators, parents, and significant others. Those others can be Grand-parents, step-parents, lawyers, pediatricians, mentors, clergy, child care providers, transportation agents, state child services personael, adults with similiar disabilities, and your child where appropriate. I strongly suggest getting a trained advocate to help you through the process. Then the baloney and "I Can'ts" tend to be avoided.

Parents have to request it in writing and agree to testing and evaluations but the clock starts on the day the rquest is submitted and has to be acted on in 45 days.

Parents have many rights. Like what, why, and how their child will be tested. They can be present, should be given written results, and the results can be challenged. Generally you have to pay for that but there are state funded specialists to advocate for your child and help you fully understand the process and the results.

I recommend includeing such advocates early on in the process.

A great deal of information is provided at government expense to you as a parent. Custodial and non-custodial parents have a right to be fully vested in this process. Much of the free information is well written, illustrated, and similiar infor mation is made at age approriate level for your child. If English is not your first language all information includeing forms must be translated so you are making informed consent. If reading is not your thing more and more of this information is available on tape or DVD. There are also great Parent/professional training conferences you can attend and learn from peer parents and consumers who have been useing this law for 30+ years.

Usually evaluations will be a combination of written, verbal, and observatons. Kids rarely mind some even find them fun. The important thing is EVERYONE keep in mind it is not PASS or FAIL but assessing how you child learns and if they are age appropriate and help them get there. If not doing as much as is possible to help them. Again this is the schools responsibility and there are federal funds to cover the costs so don't let them tell you they don't have the money.

The kinds of helps a child may get are extra supervision, tutors, adapted materials, counseling, and even adapted learning environments, rest breaks,or special diets. While the school will not provide medication they can be required to administer it in the most appropriate time or way.

This help applies to all learning environments from the classroom, to the playground, to the school lunchroom, or any school sponsored activitiy.

One of the biggest tasks of and IEP is to assure your child is not being discriminated against and is mainstreamed rather than segregated to get this help.

Each time a special needs child enters school, even preschool, or a new school this IEP can be developed and implimented especially if there is any diagnosis or reasonable knowledge that the child will need such individual care.

Any questions feel free to ask for a local referral. All school districts in the USA have resources. It is true they will sometimes stonewall parents so if you need independent assistance ask.

Good luck. Hope this is helpful. It really is easier than it sounds. Once written these plans can be updated and adapted as needed. If you feel the plan is not working you are entitled to appeal the process.