Paying for Kindergarten in child with CP - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

baileyrupert · 04-14-2004, 12:07 PM

Hi, I am completely new to this board but I hope someone out there can help me. We live in Minnesota and my daughter, who has mild CP, has been treated by school therapists since she was 1. She has an IEP in place now. She is 5 and will start Kindergarten in the fall. We have been meeting to discuss what to do with her in the fall and her IEP team wants me to put her in Kindergarten full time, which I don't have a problem with except there is a cost in our area of $2,000 for the year to go all day. I don't fell like I should have to pay that because my child isn't there for my convenience, she is there because the team thought that is where she needs to be and that is what would be best for her education. They are telling me that if she goes all day I have to pay. Has anyone else out there had a problem like this? I feel like if I had some hard information on my side they would see things my way but there is so much information out there it is hard to navigate. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Kathleen

OrbOfConfusion · 04-15-2004, 04:28 AM

Hi baileyrupert,

That sounds strange. I have never heard of anyone having to pay for school except for the private ones, even for children with disabilities. Is this a public school? I thought children, by law, had to attend school by kindergarton. Here in Louisiana, the public schools are more than helpful when it comes to providing education, services, and transportation for special children. And it's all free. I had always assumed ALL public schools in the U.S. did that.

By the way, what is an IEP?

Take care,
Melissa

baileyrupert · 04-15-2004, 07:50 AM

Hi Melissa, thanks for your reply! An IEP is an Individualized Education Plan. It basically states what kind of help she needs in the classroom and what kind of provisions will be made for your child. I think it is a legal document that is mandated by the state. Once we agree on it everyone has to follow it so if she needs help using a sissors they have to help her. You would think those things would be obvious but everything has to be spelled out.

This is a public school that we are talking about. They would provide her with 1/2 a day of Kindergarten for free but the group is recommending that she go for a full day, which you have to pay for. I don't think the state funds full day Kindergarten so if you want your child to go you have to pay the difference, about $2,000. They say they are just providing full day for the parents convenience, which I understand and if I were sending my non-handicaped child for my convenience I wouldn't have a problem paying. But, they are telling me that my handicaped child should go because it will help her to be in school for a longer day. It is new ground for me, and for our school district as last year is the only year that they even offered full day Kindergarten.

Thanks for your reply.
Kathleen

OrbOfConfusion · 04-16-2004, 01:18 PM

Hi Kathleen,

I would think it's best if you sent your daughter, even if you have to pay... assuming it's a good school for her. Early intervention is very important. Though I'm still surprised that kindergarton isn't offered all day for free like it is around here. Down here it is mandatory for children to attend kindergarton all day. Has the public school system been providing any special education for her previously?

My daughter is 2 years old and has been going to early intervention classes for over a year. She can go four days a week, 8 am to 2:30 pm... I take her about 2 or 3 times a week usually. She gets her ot and pt here and has a wonderful teacher.

What type of cp does your daughter have? Mine has spastic hemi paresis on right side.

Take care,
Melissa

cheahahoney · 05-15-2004, 02:05 PM

My granddaughter that I have custody of has cp from a housefire when she was 5 mos we have medicaid and we have been going through Children Medical Services and Early Intervention not to mention Easter Seals they have all been great please contact them and see if they can help u Good luck