Connecticut Special Education: What is a Planning and Placement Team?

If you have a question or concern about special education law, school administration, federal standards, or the overall rights of a student, please feel free to call the expert education law attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. in Westport today at (203) 221-3100 .

What is a Planning and Placement Team?

A planning and placement team reviews referrals to special education, determines if your child needs to be evaluated, decides which evaluations will be given to your child, and determines whether your child is eligible for special education services. You are a valued member of the team. The PPT is composed of:

• The parents of the child with a disability;
• At least one regular education teacher of the child (if the child is, or may be participating in the general education environment);
• At least one special education teacher of the child, or if appropriate, at least one special education provider of the child;
• A representative of the school district who is qualified to provide or supervise the provision of specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities and is knowledgeable about the general curriculum and about the availability of resources of the school district;
• A pupil services personnel member (for example, a school psychologist, school social worker or guidance counselor);
• An individual who can interpret the instructional implications of evaluation results (who may be one of the previously listed team members other than the parent);
• If appropriate, the child with a disability; and
• At the discretion of the parent or the school, other individuals who have knowledge or special expertise regarding the child, including related services personnel.

You and the school district may agree in writing that the attendance of a required member of the PPT is not necessary and excuse that PPT member from attending the meeting where the excused team member's area of curriculum or related service is not going to be modified or discussed at the meeting. Additionally, you and the school district may agree in writing to excuse a required member of the PPT where the excused team member's area of curriculum or related service will be discussed at the meeting and the team member submits written input into the development of the IEP to the parent and the team prior to the meeting. You do not have to enter into such an agreement; if you don't agree to excuse the team member, the team member will be expected to attend the meeting.

If you have a child with a disability and have questions about special education law, please contact Joseph C. Maya, Esq., at 203-221-3100, or at JMaya@mayalaw.com, to schedule a free consultation.

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Source- http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PDF/DEPS/Special/Parents_Guide_SE.pdf