Whoa Jo
TMyv you need to re=read my post.
There is nothing "illegal" about a counselor being an LEA at an IEP meeting.
In my building I am only asked to do it if our pricipal is out of the
building and if the IEP is not one that will require above and beyond what
we can do for the child without additional funding. If ther is ever a
question of programming that will require extra funding our Supervisor of
Sp. Ed. is invited to attend the meeting.
The law specifies that an LEA must attend the meeting, but does not
specify WHO must serve as the LEA. There is nothing ILLEGAL about a
counselor serving as LEA in a lot of circumtances.

On 6/24/09, Jo wrote:
> It is obvious from you post that you know you are holding illegal IEP
> meetings since you cannot authorize funding. Do you tell the parents up
> front about the fact they are in a meeting which is out of compliance and
> that they can report the school if they so choose?
>
> The fact that you know this is illegal and still doing it anyway is
> putting yourself in a precarious situation. I suggest you rectify it
> quickly because if the ball drops, it will be on you and everyone will
> play the nose game and point the finger at you.
>
> On 6/23/09, Gail wrote:
>> The LEA is the Local Education Agency, which basically is the school.
>> We as counselors should not really be the LEA since we have no power
>> to authorize funding for any special needs. That being said, I am
>> often the LEA at IEP meetings when my principal is not available. At
>> one of our other elementary schools the counselors is ALWAYS the LEA
>> at all IEP nmeetings.
>> It is important to learn about these things. After I finished my
>> counseling program, I went back and took several special ed. courses.
>> This site will explain some of the things you asked:
>> http://specialneedseducation.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_special_educa
>> tion_process

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