Reading Specialist

[parrish09]

 Reading Specialist. My daughter was required one this year. It was written in her IEP. They didn't have one at the beginning of the school year. I wrote an email and expressed how they are in violation of her IEP and there could be legal action taken. It wasn't until March that they hired someone. I just found out recently, that it is a gen ed teacher. Not only that, it was written in the IEP to use  The Wilson method as the reading program but they are using UFLI as the reading program. Also, they are trying their hardest to cram all the sessions in ESY. She only goes half day. In the meeting,  it was mentioned that comp services don't have to be compensated 1:1. Lastly, I wanted her to continue the services with the Reading Specialist. At this point it was expressed, starting next year, the reading specialist service will be a part of the daily curriculum.  This will be accross the district.   

Question
1. Do compensating services not have to be 1:1 in compensation?
2. Can they just cram these services into regular curriculum during ESY along with 1:1 individual? Meaning, she will sit individually with the Reading Specialist then they will incorporate what she is learning in her regular daily activities and count this as compensation. ie; games, computer work, etc. 
3. Can they tell me no in reference to having a Reading Specialist? Would PWN apply? 
4. Are they violating the IEP if they aren't using the Wilson Program as stated in it? 

Thank you.

[Carolyn Rowlett]

Hello.  Compensatory services are very complicated, but I will attempt to answer each of your questions below:

1.  Although you should check with your state department of education, generally, compensatory services do not have to be provided on a 1:1 basis.  It depends on how much progress (or lack of progress) the child made after being denied the required services.  To determine this, you may need to request an IEE to show that the child could have made more progress had the required services been given.  The goal is to get the child to the point they would have been had the services been provided, but this does not necessarily mean that make-up services have to be 1:1.

2.  ESY and compensatory services are two distinct services based on two distinct determinations and cannot be provided concurrently.

3.  Who can be a "Reading Specialist" is likely defined by requirements set forth by your state department of education.  A general education teacher may very well meet the definition depending on his/her training in early intervention reading, etc., or whatever the state requires.  But if the IEP states "Reading Specialist," it has to be someone that meets this definition.  I do not think a PWN would be appropriate to deny something already written into an IEP.  An amendment would be the correct route, but I would fight that.

4.  If they are not using Wilson and that is written into the IEP, they are in violation.  I'm surprised they stated a specific methodology if they can't/won't use it.  The problem you might encounter, however, if you tried to enforce this by way of a state complaint or due process is that the state or hearing officer would be sympathetic to the school district if they could show the methodology they are using is comparable to Wilson.  Again, they should amend the IEP if they are not going to follow it.  A PWN does not give a school district a pass on implementing what's already written into an IEP.

[JSD24]

1. Do compensating services not have to be 1:1 in compensation?

Compensatory services bring the student to where they would have ended up if the services were provided as specified in the IEP.

2. Can they just cram these services into regular curriculum during ESY along with 1:1 individual? Meaning, she will sit individually with the Reading Specialist then they will incorporate what she is learning in her regular daily activities and count this as compensation. ie; games, computer work, etc. 

They can so long as your child ends up were they should have been if the IEP was followed.  It's not best practices to 'cram'.  For example:  Wilson Reading's protocol is 45-60 minutes daily.  You want time for a student to absorb the material.  (There is research to support taking breaks when doing tasks.  Walking away helps the brain to think better by resetting.  When I was getting my MBA, I learned about this.  You increase employee efficiency when they take breaks.  The same works for children who are learning things at school.)

3. Can they tell me no in reference to having a Reading Specialist? Would PWN apply?

If I had a child who needed IEP level of instruction due to a reading disability, I would want to have a special ed teacher who is trained it a remedial O-G based protocol.  A reading specialist is not trained in special ed as part of their training.  They are trained to help non-disabled students who struggle to read.

4. Are they violating the IEP if they aren't using the Wilson Program as stated in it? 

The University of Florida's Literacy Institute program is a good program.  I don't believe it's equivalent to Wilson Reading.  It's a free resource for teachers to get them up to speed with structured literacy.  It's a great resource for districts/school that cannot afford to purchase a structured literacy curriculum.  Schools are required to do what is in the IEP.  They are out of compliance with the IEP if the IEP says Wilson and they end up with another special ed program that is at the same level as Wilson.  You can file a complaint for non-compliance with your child's IEP if the IEP says Wilson & the school is using UFLI.

IMO, it's an oxymoron to have a reading specialist provide Wilson.  I wouldn't expect any reading specialist to be certified to provide Wilson Reading (unless that are both a reading specialist & a sp ed teacher).  It's like expecting a person who cuts lawns to also have expertise it taking down trees.  They might do OK with the smaller, easier ones but not the ones that are bigger.