Recordkeeping for Special Needs Children
Recordkeeping is especially important if you have a child with special needs, since you may be more vulnerable to the intervention of government officials claiming they need to ensure that your child’s needs are being met. You need to
be able to protect yourself in case such
officials claim you are neglecting the child by not meeting his special needs. “And if your homeschool is ever challenged, your records may help to provide proof that
your child’s needs are being addressed,” says HSLDA Special Needs Coordinator Betty Statnick.
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Furthermore, records can encourage you, the teaching parent, by helping you see your child’s progress from year to year. “Test results can also help document progress and point parents to areas which require further attention,” says Betty.
So, what kind of records should you
keep, beyond the standard records
described in this article? Betty recommends the following:
- Results of specialized testing
- Documentation showing exactly what special needs the child has
- Documentation (including reports) from therapists or others treating your child’s needs
- Results of achievement tests
- Narrative evaluations (by an outside professional)
Consider creating an educational plan for your child. Public schools use an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for special needs students. The IEP contains a list of goals and a record of progress. As a homeschooler, you are not required to maintain an IEP, but HSLDA recommends creating your own (called a Student Education Plan, or SEP, for clarification). Your SEP will help you to define your goals and keep track of your child’s progress in meeting those goals. See this article’s resource list for manuals to help you create an SEP.
“For a special needs child, I would advise keeping records at least until the child turns 18,” says HSLDA Attorney Scott Woodruff. “Some states end compulsory attendance at 16, but don’t toss your records then. Often, with special needs children, there’s a connection between medical and educational issues. Parents may need educational records, as well as medical records, to help prove they have met the child’s medical or special needs if they are challenged.”
For more information, ideas, and resources to help you homeschool your special needs child, visit HSLDA’s Struggling Learner webpages. HSLDA members may contact our special needs coordinators to receive some individualized help. In addition, our attorneys are available to assist our members if their homeschooling rights are challenged.
Some Helpful Resources
