KCCI Exposes: Parent’s Complaint Sparks Changes in Iowa AEA Policies

Parent Files Complaint Over Special Education Plan Violations

A parent recently filed a complaint regarding potential violations of state law related to changes made to a special education student’s plan. The Iowa Department of Education conducted an investigation and issued a decision this month, confirming that there were indeed issues. As part of the resolution, several mandated actions have been put in place.

Key Corrective Actions

The corrective actions include:

A facilitated meeting with the parents, special education teachers, and other relevant parties.
Discontinuation of the use of certain training materials and handouts.
Additional training on how to correctly provide services to students with special needs.

Chad Johnson, the parent who filed the complaint, shared his perspective on the situation. He emphasized his moral obligation to advocate for families and students who may not have the time, resources, or background to raise such important questions.

Johnson’s son has autism, dyslexia, and ADHD. He described the experience of parenting his son as both challenging and rewarding. “Our son works so incredibly hard every day. The challenges that he faces on a daily basis that he just perseveres through is amazing,” Johnson said.

Being involved in the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process is a significant part of Johnson’s role as a parent. All special education students in Iowa are entitled to a free and public education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). His son receives out-of-classroom support from the Heartland Area Education Agency (AEA).

Focus on Compliance and Accountability

Part of the IEP process involves ensuring that all parties are involved and that the necessary supports are provided. Most of the corrective actions outlined in the decision relate to Heartland, but one action specifically refers to the “state system” and highlights the significance of the confirmed violations.

The decision concludes with a statement that the Department will conduct focused monitoring to evaluate the statewide system of related service provision in areas such as occupational and physical therapy and speech-language pathology.

As an attorney, Johnson feels equipped to represent his family in the complaint. He believes that without this skill, the cost of pursuing the matter could have been substantial. “I would hazard a guess that it could have been a couple hundred thousand dollars just to present these questions and present them in a factually backed-up way,” he said.

In recent years, changes to AEAs have sparked debate and media attention. However, Johnson clarified that this particular decision is unrelated to those broader discussions.

Three Main Points of Concern

Johnson outlined three main points he wanted to address:

Did the AEA follow state and federal law in how they reviewed and addressed parental concerns?
Was access to educational records followed under the law?
Was federal law adhered to?

Despite the decision being finalized, Johnson noted that there are still steps to be taken. His goal is for the process to operate as it was designed to work.

Response from Heartland AEA

The Iowa education department has stated that they are taking the steps outlined in the decision. KCCI Investigates reached out to Heartland AEA, which responded with a statement:

“Heartland AEA received the Iowa Department of Education’s decision. We are currently in the process of reviewing the decision and will be collaborating with the Department on any adjustments that may need to be made. Heartland AEA takes a thoughtful and deliberate approach to responding to Department decisions to ensure positive, sustainable impacts for all our students.

“As always, Heartland AEA remains committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based and strategic services to students with disabilities.”