I have a 17-year-old daughter with learning disabilities. I have informed the diagnostician in her school that I expect the school to help in transition from high school. I was told last year that they could graduate her as long as she was employable. They are trying to push her into minimum wage jobs so that they can say she is employable and they have done their job. When I received notice of this year's ARD, I called the diagnostician and told her that that I would not settle for ITP meetings telling me that they would not help in any way and to nag Texas Rehabilitation Commission (TRC) for assistance. She suggested that my daughter go into minimum wage jobs. I put on the return form that I was very concerned about getting her higher education and jobs that paid more than minimum wage. I put on the form that I wanted to see her educated where she could be financially independent and that minimum wage jobs would not do that.

Today, the day before my daughter's ARD, someone from her school called me and asked if I would give them permission to hold her ARD without me being there. This greatly concerns and disturbs me. Never before has anyone from any school called and asked me not attend my children's ARD. I need current information on our rights and probably a children's advocate to help. If you have any information, suggestions or ideas I would greatly appreciate them.

---

My reply:

Never allow the school to have an A.R.D. without you especially now that your daughter is going through that transition phase from school to post-secondary training. Insist on being present. Have an advocate with you. TRC is not responsible for providing assistance until your child graduates. In the meantime, the school is responsible for providing job training, until your child turns 21 or 22 if she turns 22 during the last school year.

That does not mean that your child needs to stay in the classroom until age 22. She can be receiving post-secondary vocational training, on-the-job training or college. You need to remind the school of their responsibility. It is so easy just to graduate a child and let someone else be responsible. Do not allow that to happen.

If the school held the A.R.D., call another one. You have that right. If you still do not like the answer, ask for a 10-day recess. If you still are unhappy, call another A.R.D. and take an advocate or lawyer with you (but let the school know in advance who will be accompanying you).

Let me suggest that you ask for the school to provide the following at the A.R.D. to help you all make an informed, intelligent plan:

• Vocational evaluation indicating areas in which your child can succeed,

• An interest profile (They should know what your daughter says she is interested in doing. They should have a list of jobs which interest your child and which reflect her abilities),

• A transition plan that mirrors the vocational testing and interest profile along with a PLAN to assist your child in developing her skills so that she can work in the field of her choice.

If the school has all three, then they need to implement the PLAN in your child's school program. By the way, a school program can mean in school or out. She can attend vocational training elsewhere. As the parent, you should know what your child is good at. What areas of strengths do you see? What skills does she have? You should prepare a list of strengths with your daughter and share that at the A.R.D.

With all of that, you and the school should be able to figure out how to alter the school program to meet the needs of your child rather than shaping your child to fit the needs of the school.

When you find a good post secondary program in which your child can succeed, then have the school help her to become admitted. The school can pay for this training. However, they will scream and complain about doing so. Therefore, I suggest an alternate plan. Find the post secondary school program. Talk to the people there. Find out what your child needs to get into the program and then provide a school program that will give your child the pre-requisites to enter that program. Bring TRC into the picture. Find out what they can and cannot pay for once your child graduates. You will probably be required to pay some of the post secondary school costs or your daughter can usually get some loans. You can also ask the school to assist her in obtaining funding. Then make sure the school helps your child enter that program upon graduation. That is what transition is about. Do NOT settle for less.

Now let me tell you how the school will manipulate you and your daughter to avoid taking their responsibilities. First, they will ask you if you really think it is best for your child to remain in school until age 22. She will want to graduate with her peers. Your response will be that, no, you do not want her in high school that long. You want an Individual Education Plan that will prepare your daughter in the next few years to enter that program you, the school and your daughter have chosen. Next, the school will try to convince you that they can just make your child minimum wage employable in some job at McDonald’s and then TRC can take over after graduation. In response to this reasoning, get a dictionary and read them the meaning of the word "transition". They need to take responsibility for helping your child have an adequate lifestyle in the future. She should not be forced into minimum wage jobs because the school wants to just get her out of there. They are part of the transition team. Your daughter is a valuable human being who deserves the time and efforts of the public school system (paid for by your taxes).

In addition, contact the following:

• Advocacy, Inc. (Their local number should be in the back of your Rights booklet or just check the phone book.);

• Learning Disabilities Association at ldanatl@usaor.net.

Let me know how you do. If you have more questions, please contact me.

Karen