Navigating California IEPs: Parent Rights & Independent Evaluations
Clinical insights from Donald Ghrist, LEP #2703 (Clinical Director, CAS Evaluations) and community educator Karla Chinen (Empathy for Autism California). Watch published podcast episodes and register for upcoming live Zoom masterclasses.
IEPs & ESY: Beyond the Acronyms
Donald Ghrist, LEP #2703 breaks down what's actually inside an IEP binder and how parents can participate with confidence.
Part 1 of 3: IEPs & Extended School Year (ESY)
In this premier episode of the 3-part collaboration, host Karla Chinen sits down with Donald Ghrist, Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP #2703), to demystify Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Extended School Year (ESY) services. Learn how diagnostic assessments connect directly to placement, accommodations, and measurable goals.
Deconstructing the IEP
Understanding present levels (PLOP), goals, accommodations, and services without overwhelming jargon.
Assessments Drive Services
How comprehensive psychoeducational testing establishes the factual basis for special education placement.
ESY Qualifying Criteria
Critical distinction between remedial summer school and legally mandated regression/recoupment ESY services.
Parent Review Checklist
Practical questions every parent should ask before signing or consenting to a district IEP offer.
The Complete Special Education Roadmap
Explore the full 3-part collaboration between Donald Ghrist and Karla Chinen designed to guide parents step-by-step through assessments, rights, and meetings.
IEPs & Extended School Year
Deconstructing the IEP document: understanding present levels, SMART goals, accommodations, and qualifying criteria for ESY summer services.
- Jargon-free IEP review
- Present levels to goals connection
- ESY qualification standards
Assessments, Reports & Data
Deciphering psychoeducational test scores, percentiles, cognitive & academic discrepancies, and understanding what evaluation results mean.
- Reading psychometric scores
- Identifying hidden cognitive deficits
- Translating data into accommodations
Independent Evaluations (IEEs)
How and when parents can request an Independent Educational Evaluation at school district expense, selecting an evaluator, and legal timelines.
- California Ed Code § 56329 rights
- Free evaluation at public expense
- Selecting your independent evaluator
Clinical Expertise Meets Community Advocacy
A collaborative bridge between licensed diagnostic evaluation and parent support for neurodivergent families.
Donald Ghrist
With more than 20 years of clinical and special education leadership, Donald Ghrist conducts rigorous, defensible Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) throughout California, specializing in psychoeducational assessment, autism spectrum evaluations, ADHD, and learning disabilities.
- 20+ Years Clinical Leadership: School psychologist & clinical evaluator.
- Truly Independent: Objective diagnostic data free from district pressure.
- 30-Day Turnaround: Timely reports respecting statutory legal timelines.
Karla Chinen
Karla Chinen is a dedicated parent advocate and community educator providing bilingual, empathy-first guidance for neurodivergent families. She hosts Voices Beyond the Spectrum to connect parents with actionable special education resources.
- Bilingual Family Support: Bridging English & Spanish communities.
- Podcast Host: Amplifying neurodivergent and parent voices.
- Community Workshops: Empowering parents with practical tools.
Register for Upcoming Live Sessions
Interactive 90-minute live training sessions with Donald Ghrist and Karla Chinen, including open Q&A for parents.
Day 1: Understanding the IEP Process
Foundations of the IEP: How to get started, understanding assessments, parent participation rights, and organizing student documentation.
- Initiating special education evaluations under IDEA
- What psychologists measure: cognitive, academic & executive functioning
- Drafting an influential Parent Concerns statement
- Assembling your student's IEP binder & work samples
Day 2: IEP Advocacy & Empowerment
Building advocacy skills: Speaking up effectively, negotiating school disagreements, requesting related services, and reading measurable data.
- Resolving disputes collaboratively without conflict
- Requesting services: Speech, OT, PT, Adapted PE & Dyslexia
- Analyzing SMART goals & progress monitoring metrics
- How and when to exercise your legal right to an IEE