UGOTNERVE has reported numerous instances of falsified IEP’s by Henrico County officials. Many of these documents have been forwarded to state, federal, and civil rights agencies in order to launch investigations, file criminal charges when warranted, and revoke state issued licenses of those guilty of forgery and falsification.
Parents are speaking out and taking action to hold school officials accountable for their illegal and unethical behaviors.
Our friends at Wrightslaw completed an outstanding piece that provides direction for parents that suspect that their signatures have been forged on an IEP or that their student’s records have been falsified in any way.
“On October 3, 2001, President Bush appointed the Commission on Excellence in Special Education. Later this year, this Commission will make recommendations to Congress and the White House about the reauthorization of the IDEA.
Based on reports from parents, advocates, attorneys, and past or present special education staff around the country, it appears that falsification of documents and forgery of signatures may be common and widespead. If so, this must be brought to the attention of the Commission on Excellence in Special Education and the Congress so that appropriate amendments to the IDEA can be proposed.
Forgery is a crime. Forgery is no less important when it is done by school personnel who are responsible for educating or evaluating disabled children. Forgery includes forging parents signatures on IEPs, consent to evaluate forms, etc.
Similarly, falsifying required special education documents is a crime. Falsification of documents should not be overlooked because the actions were taken by school personnel. Falsification includes:
- Having school staff sign IEPs or IEP Meeting notes as though they attended a meeting, when they did not attend the meeting;
- Creating evaluation reports when evaluations were not done;
- Creating false records to indicate timely evaluations, timely IEP meetings, or timely commencement of services;
- Creating false records to indicate that related services were provided in accordance with a child’s IEP, when the related services were provided less often than mandated in the IEP, or not at all.”
