Compensatory Education: Where Are We Now? With Crystal Sanford [IEP 188]

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today’s show is a replay of the Thriving Special Families podcast hosted by Crystal Sanford. We appeared as guests on Crystal’s live podcast on September 22; the episode is titled “Compensatory Education: Where Are We Now?” You can view the video podcast on YouTube or find the link on Crystal’s website. She is a consultant with Sandford Autism Consulting and is passionate about working with families and community members. It was nice to talk to someone who understands the nuances of compensatory education. We dove deep into the topic, along with tips and tricks for getting compensatory education in this time of COVID. Join us to learn more!</span></p> <p><strong>Show Highlights:</strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">How Vickie and Amanda were led to become special education attorneys</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">How compensatory education is defined as “a way to put a student in the place they would have been if not deprived of special</span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">education-related services”</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">How the comp ed law is an equitable remedy for the harm that has occurred; it can be educational services for the student OR reimbursement to the parents for private educational services</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">How comp ed is a little different now in the time of COVID</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">How parents get access to comp ed with the options of an IEP meeting, alternative dispute resolution, mediation, etc.</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why it does not matter if one or all students regressed because every student with an IEP has rights and protections; many districts received additional funding to provide services during COVID--so the excuses are not valid!</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tips for parents: the first step is an IEP meeting after in-person learning has gone on for at least 30 days; ask the IEP team how