No Child Left Behind, Except the Military Child

Hi,

Alright, listen, I won't pretend to know much about the "No Child Left Behind" Act, but I believe there are national standards for children with special needs.  However, the standards don't apply fully when a child moves districts or states.  

I have a son who qualified for special needs preschool, or "early childhood" programs.  We didn't realize his need until about 9 months before we moved.  We didn't know when we would move at that time.  

If you have a special needs child, you realize that the process of getting recognized by the "system" (as I'll call it) can take some time.  I am sure that these systems are somewhat overwhelmed by the need of so many for these programs, and I am truly grateful that there are programs in place to recognize, and teach special kids.  

However, we were well on our way to having our son finally entered into the "early childhood" program in our district when we were given the news that we would move.  

Unfortunately, the process would not be finished by the time we moved, and we were told by the local "system" that we would have to restart the process at our next location.  What?!

I couldn't believe that my son would have to wait through an entire process that we had almost completed, again, just because his dad serves in the military.  Surely the military had some protection for these special kids.  In fact, they did not.  

Fortunately, after being told "no" several times, we did finally get a person within the "system" to recognize the delay our son would face in getting proper schooling if we did not finish getting his "IEP" or education plan at our current district.  This was because someone was kind, not because it was the law.  I'm sure other parents have had delays in their child's education because of these kinds of moves.  

Unfortunately, we don't have much, if any, control over when we move.  Our moves are a matter of business and timing for the military and the career my husband holds within it.  Certainly, the timing of this move was not our optimal choice, but it was when it was.  

I don't know if there are many in the military who have run into this situation.  Perhaps some with "special needs" children have had enough time on station to have their child completely entered into special needs programs.  Once a child is recognized as having "special needs", they can move districts with fewer delays.  However, if a move comes in the middle of the process for that recognition, a child, and their family, can face significant delays, and may have to finish an entirely new process in another district.  

Again, this is probably not common-place, but is not fair for those who have to face this trouble.  

Fortunately for us, our son had everything complete in order to start this school year.  If we had not been shown the kindness by the person in our last assignment, we would still be waiting, and probably for several more months.  

Thanks for listening.  :)

C.M.