I am the parent of a disabled child who has a mental health diagnosis. Over the course of two years, IDEA-Quest has had great difficulty meeting the needs of my vulnerable child. IDEA-Quest has sub-standard behavior management and their ability to work with the special needs population is highly questionable. Last year my son was restrained by his teacher who felt overwhelmed. Instead of finding out about the restraint immediately, i was notified till 9pm as my child was not verbal enough to tell me what had happened. Last year my son also wondered off his assigned building and ended up across the street in the school cafeteria.
Because of these and many other issues, I requested that the school conduct a Functional Behavioral Analysis (FBA). The school pushed back because this is a costly assessment that they dont like to invest in. They also said my child is "very smart" and he "looks normal". I had to get ahold of an attorney who specializes in Special Education Law to intervene. The school then agreed to the FBA; however, that only led to an RTI (stage 2) that had no real interventions to stabilize my child. To top it off, i had to push last years teacher to make sure she was updating the file accordingly. Only at my request did the school draft a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). I also had to train the school on how to do it. All in all, the school is not in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) which is federal law.
This school year, my son has a passionate and wonderful teacher; however, problems continue. When i requested a Parent Conference to address my concerns with upper management, the assistant principal candidly informed me that she is challenged because IDEA-Quest has no formal counselor (LPC or LMSW) on campus. IDEA-Quest only has an "Academic Counselor" who is not certified to provide counseling sessions or interventions. Children deal with bullying, grief, divorce, severe poverty, domestic violence, child abuse/neglect, etc. and youre telling me they dont have an emotional outlet on campus?! How is this possible?! Why isnt the school held accountable for this? IDEA-QUEST RECIEVES THE SAME FEDERAL FUNDS THAT EDINBURG I.S.D.; HOWEVER, IDEA DOES NOT PROVIDE SERVICES TO CHILDREN. Furthermore, I was also told IDEA-Quest does not really have a Special Education Department that is prepared to handle cases "complex cases" so they came up with the brilliant idea that i go to the Tres Lagos campus next year. IN OTHER WORDS, THINGS WONT CHANGE ON THIS CAMPUS BUT WE WOULD LOVE TO KEEP PROFITING FROM YOU SO LETS JUST REFER YOU TO ANOTHER ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS. IDEA-Quest has been operating for the past 10 years and I am shocked at their gross negligence.
IDEA takes pride in academics but what good is there to raise a genius if he isnt stable? Per the CDC, 7.4% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 4.5 million) have a diagnosed behavior problem. 7.1% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 4.4 million) have diagnosed anxiety. 3.2% ofchildren aged 3-17 years (approximately 1.9 million) have diagnosed depression.
If you are having issues like i did, please reach out to REGION ONE. You can also find a lawyer that understands Special Education Law. You may also want to get a Child Advocate (TEAM PROJECT) who can guide you and accompany you to school meetings. Go to your State Representative or Congressmen to report the schools defeciencies. Parents, dont be afraid to shed light into this rogue charter school who recieves federal funds and is making money at the expense of our vulnerable children. A disability is a serious matter so we cannot have the school cut corners while the CEO is caught redhanded buying a JET airplane from school funds.
Other Grievences:
* School buses have NO air conditioning,
* SChool requests $125 per child YEARLY to "decorate",
* Your Kindergarten child will get 5 pages of homework DAILY (including weekends and holidays). read more
