Sos: Staffings on Steroids

Whether it be your first or your fourth staffing for your child to receive services with the special education area agency in your school, it can be a dreaded event. You, the parent, are introduced to anywhere from five to seven "specialists," handed a lengthy typed form that is set aside as your "rights," and the meeting begins. You are not given the time to read your rights as presented, nor are they explained to your understanding. They are set aside for you to "review at your leisure," meaning once you have left the building. It is not the intent to intimidate, frighten, and silence you. It is just the nature of the beast.