504 or IEP stay out of Maricopa!

[Tangled]

Seriously look elsewhere... nuff said! 

[Macrojamin]

Please elaborate

[theotheramy]

I know many others in Maricopa who have 504s or IEPs and are pleased with the education their child is getting. Why does everything have to be a fight?

[Tangled]

I'd like to know why everything has to be a fight too.

1.  They didn't want to offer an IEP, only a 504 - requested IEE.
2.  IEE done - 504 for now, may need IEP later.
3.  Go for 504 meeting, didn't want to offer 504 even though that was their recommendation during MET over an IEP and she is disabled and has a severe medical condition so qualifies for a 504 - you can read here - its law - http://www.ebmdattorneys.hubspot.com/Portals/461/docs/090302.pdf
4.   Asked repeatedly to change her feeding pump schedule to fit THEIR needs - not her medical needs as directed by a team of medical specialists and stated she would not receive all her core education then because her feeding pump schedule can't be changed.
5.  District Nurse ran meeting, teacher not in attendance (teacher is supposed to be there)
6.  Teacher at meet the teacher night - "What do I do with her during lunch time"?  - Inapproperiate she isn't an animal and several ways this question could have been asked in a respectful manner.


I am not the only one have issues. Many Maricopa families are having issues this year. AZ Dept of ED is helping many of those families as MUSD is in violation. Many families like ours are pulling our kids from MUSD and seeking alternatives. Even a former board member informed me they emailed the superintendent and sped director after hearing all that has happened to us these last couple of months stating they are lucky I'm not suing for ADA violations - not my request, didn't ask anyone to get involved this time.

I'm just warning folks, its getting worse, not better - especially those with very special needs.

[JeniL]

sounds like my son's  IEP but I had NO ONE on the board or who just left the boards help.  Oh well the district has  to REIMBURSE where he is now for the extra time that he missed.   MUSD will never learn untill something big happens.

[Fat Girl]

I'd like to say I never heard of this before in MUSD....but I have from other parents of special needs kids.....

[momto2]

I don't ever post on here anymore.. BUT my son has an IEP with pretty extreme needs also.  We moved to Maricopa in 2004, we hated it and tried two other public school systems and one private school, and tried to sell our house twice but no success.

MUSD is not perfect but let me tell you NO school is, NO matter where you live there is always going to be issues!  Kyrene refused to give my son a one on one aide (which was written in his IEP), and guess what happened the first week??  He LEFT the school, and the principal didn't even apologize!  Litchfield elementary didn't want to integrate him with typical kids, the private school went well for a year but then issues came up with the  scholarship funding.

So yes we are back at MUSD, and what I have learned is to pick and choose your battles, you can't fight everything and you can't win everything and be involved and appreciate those that are involved with your child.

[Wolfy]

momof 2. I cant even imagine the fight you and others with special needs children in the MUSD  have... please dont take my statements as anything other than pure support for you and your childrens educations. Why dont you pull together with the other families an MAKE MUSD DO WHAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR!!  Every child, in every educational aspect should get an education! MUSD should have to comply,,,, why ae they so reluctant to do this....

[Tangled]

I can tell you why Melissa. Because they don't want to have to deal with them. Yes, they get extra funding, but they have to spend extra time or put forth extra effort.... and they don't want to. Its just that simple... so they would rather push us out... unless its a teacher who has a special needs child.. when we had one, we had a great experience educationally but physically my daughter couldn't handle in unfortunately.

Momof2, I found an awesome private school here in Maricopa. Not sure if she has more openings but if you want to PM me, I can put you in touch with her.

[Pet Social Worker]

I know many others in Maricopa who have 504s or IEPs and are pleased with the education their child is getting. Why does everything have to be a fight?

I will have to say that our experience w/ IEP's since Nate was in PreSchool @ Santa Rosa (he qualified through Early Intervention) and then from K - 2nd grade @ Pima Butte has been pretty good. We're lucky to be at very very good schools and we stay pretty involved, so if there is the beginning of a problem, we head it off at the pass immediately. 

I know there has been some concerns w/ other families attempting to get Exceptional Student Services in kindergarten which can sometimes be sticky because kindergarten isn't a mandatory class level. 

I'd have to say that in my experience, the most difficult we've always had has been with the teachers, not the specialists or Case Mgrs or contracted service providers but once the teachers are educated & are called on their comments, things always are + going forward.

Hang in there Susan, I think it will get better. 

[Tangled]

I know many others in Maricopa who have 504s or IEPs and are pleased with the education their child is getting. Why does everything have to be a fight?

I will have to say that our experience w/ IEP's since Nate was in PreSchool @ Santa Rosa (he qualified through Early Intervention) and then from K - 2nd grade @ Pima Butte has been pretty good. We're lucky to be at very very good schools and we stay pretty involved, so if there is the beginning of a problem, we head it off at the pass immediately. 

I know there has been some concerns w/ other families attempting to get Exceptional Student Services in kindergarten which can sometimes be sticky because kindergarten isn't a mandatory class level. 

I'd have to say that in my experience, the most difficult we've always had has been with the teachers, not the specialists or Case Mgrs or contracted service providers but once the teachers are educated & are called on their comments, things always are + going forward.

Hang in there Susan, I think it will get better. 

Maybe... doesn't matter though, she is in a private school now and doing awesome!

[Pepperdog]

From persoana experience through 5 schools and 2 districts including one out of state; it is always hit or miss.  The bottom line is the classroom and who is in it and what they are willing to do.  I have had some real outstanding people, and I have had some that won't move an inch.  The problem with every school is that they move so slowly the year is half gone before every thing gets worked out.  A good Principal makes a big difference.

It is very frustrating and you do learn to fight your battles.  My prayers for you and your child.