It sounds like they are moving you child to his home campus....am I right?  They do have the right to do that if your home campus offers the same type of program that he was previously in.  That decision does not have to be made in an ARD meeting.  They are not honoring transfer requests of any kind.  The "super" wants all kids at their neighborhood school.  No exceptions.

Okay justme...  Here are the facts...  My son has Asperger's Syndrome, and if you are wondering what that is, it is a form of Autism.  My son is also Epileptic.  He is being seen by both a pediatric neurologist and pediatric psychologist from Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi.  He also receives Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy. 

On May 14th of this year I was informed that VISD had decided to move my son to another campus.  According to the Special Education Laws in this state, VISD cannot make that kind of decision without my prior knowledge or approval in an ARD meeting.  The deadline to submit a Request for Transfer Form was at 5:00PM on May 15th.  I was given 24 hours notice instead of the 5 days minimal notice required by state law.  I submitted my request along with letters from myself, the PPCD teacher, the speech therapist, the occupational therapist, the neurologist, and the psychologist all stating that it is not in his best interest to be moved to another campus secondary to the regression that occurs in Autistic children when they are placed in unfamiliar environments and when their structured routines are drastically altered.  My request was denied.  No reason for the denial was provided.  I went through all of the proper channels and procedures down at the Administration building, and I was repeatedly passed around from department to department.  I finally requested an appointment with the Superintendent which I was subsequently denied.  Thus I exercised my rights as a parent of a special needs child and requested a Special Education Mediation through the Texas Education Agency.  I received a letter a week later from the TEA informing me of VISD's refusal to mediate.  I would be more than happy to show you the letter, if you'd like.  The child advocacy attorney appointed to my son has informed me that I do have a very strong case against VISD.

Now to speak to the "diapers and bottles" comment,  aides are provided to the classroom, not to the individual child.  If a parent wants an aide for their child exclusively, the parent is financially responsible for it.  As for homeschooling, there are those of us out there who are single parents, and as much as we would love to do it, homeschooling our kids is not an option.

On the flip side of things, I do want to mention that I am not out to get VISD.  I just want what is in the best interest of my son.  His life is hard enough without a bunch of bureaucrats who wouldn't know him if they passed him on the street making it any harder.  My only problem with VISD is in the Special Education area.   I have been very pleased otherwise with VISD and with the education my daughter (who is not a special needs child) is currently receiving.  My problem isn't with the teachers.  My son's teachers have been a God-send.  My problem is with the administration who doesn't listen to their own teachers and therapists. 

I have, as of this afternoon, been contacted by 24 different families, 8 special education teachers, 3 speech therapists, 2 occupational therapists, 5 licensed counselors, 2 pediatricians, and 1 attorney all having problems with the administration at VISD.  The support group is coming to fruition which was and still is the purpose for all of this.

Now, if you have any other imbecilic comments to make on a subject you obviously know nothing about, then feel free to make them.  I will respond if the comment is worthy of response.

VISD does have to follow both state and federal laws regarding special needs children.  The law states that they have to provide FAPE..."free appropriate public education".  Appropriate is the key word here.  Maybe what you are asking for isn't appropriate, in the eyes of the law, for your child.  VISD isn't out to make parents mad.  They are in the people business and they do have to abide by the laws. 

I too wonder what Wendy means by special needs.

I know of situations where students have been allowed to have bottles, diapers and special assistants salaries paid for by VISD just to meet the needs of one student.  If a parent can do better why not just home school?  VISD is so scared of lawsuits these days that teachers and administrators are afraid of parents who have no ground to stand on.  I am curious what the situation is. 

I do not believe they are "REFUSING" to negotiate.

I think mom just doesn't like their solution.

i would suggest to exhaust locally your concerns.  talk to see what visd offers. able bodied kids w/ parents will be your harshes critic.

stick to 1 point.  then most admin are in off season mode.  like summer.   

i know of kids who have a paid assistant the entire time while in school.  i also know that teacher has to teach the other 20 kids in the class.  its hard.  those 20 must past taks while 1 special needs is exempt.  they have differ rules.  but no kid left behind policy is still in effect for all.  best wishes.

special needs you mean what?

Wendy,  I know your pain!  call me or let me know when we can meet! We must stand up for our kids rights.  Wendy just remember to keep a journal of dates and names of ppl you speak to from VISD paper trail goes a long way. Believe me.