Hi, new member here!

[dawn]

Well, actually I used to be an active member here but I haven't been here for a long time & couldn't remember ANY of my info!

I have an 11 year old ADD/Math LD dd. This is her first year at a public school & currently we are waiting for the guidance counselor & Spec ed director to amass all the info they need to reassess her so we can get her on an IEP. I sent a certified letter so they responded quite quickly & they are aware that I know my rights.

Meanwhile, dd is struggling terribly with math & spelling as well as getting "lunch detention" weekly for work that shes not handing in. We also realized that the private school she attended through 4th grade was WAY behind this school in math (which really makes it HARD with her LD). The other school also did not teach more than a month or so of cursive & her teacher here requires most of the work to be done in cursive.UGH!! Her writing is all but unreadable & so she gets in trouble for that! Then the other kids tease her. Shes REALLY sensitive to the teasing since she really has never gone through that before. HER old school was a Lutheran school & they really stressed the "treating each other with Christian kindness"!

Ok, I've rambled on enough! If anyone has any suggestions, I'd LOVE to hear them!

Thanks!
~Dawn

[finnmom]

Dawn and welcome back!! I´am clad you decided to logg in as a new member after loosing all the info

As far as the good suggestion´s... Not sure I have any...

You did right by sending them(school) a message where they learn that you know your right´s and will act by that I hope you get your apt. soon and will get her education in order(IEP, 504 or what it is they have there) I´d try to get that bullying and tesing in order at the same time, it´s totally not exceptable

Good luck for your meeting!!!

[dawn]

Thanks for the Welcome, Finnmom!

Actually, I wouldn't really call it bullying. I just think its the normal stuff kids do. Its just that dd doesn't know how to take it since shes never been exposed to it before.

The school psychologist called me yesterday & had me have dds Dr. fax them a statement and also the psychologist is sending home papers for me to sign giving permission for them to see DDs Dr. records. So things are progressing.

What really stinks is 5th grade is the year for the big PSSA tests & it seems the teacher is caring more about that then about anything else. She even told dd that if she doesn't write in legible cursive on the PSSA tests she will be retained in 5th grade! I went on the PA board of education site & there ARE accomodations allowed & I plan on getting them in her IEP. NO way will I allow her to be held back. Shes already one of the older kids in her class & it would kill her if she had to stay back.

Look at me, schools only been in session for 3 weeks & I'm a wreck already!

[finnmom]

dawn said:

Look at me, schools only been in session for 3 weeks & I'm a wreck already!

Somehow I think you´re not the only one here feeling like that
good to hear that your dd´s school want´s to know about what has been done etc... that´s a start

[Kaiti]

:)Dawn, glad to see you getting back here.

As far as accomindations go, you said you went to the PA BOE site, GREAT JOB

I know there are specific sites, hopefullt some else will have the exact address, if not, in the education section there are plenty of link in there.

Concerning the teasing, I can't stand that age, and my daughter is there too. Fifth grade getting mouthy....ohhhh I feel so bad for my mom now ;D

But I would tell your daughter to ignore it as best as she can, AND I would talk to either the administration or her teacher. I would probably go to the teacher first, unless she is already aware of it. If she is already aware of it,go to the administration. Inform them that the teacher knew there was a problem, and the problem is still there.

And you can politely ask the requirements of the writing portion. When she tells you, if she says nothing of it being in cursive, ask it flat out. Tell her you know that there is a problem with the hand writing but you want to get as much of a heads up as you can.

After that, there might be an accomidation that can be made concerning test taking that states she may print her work without it effecting the score. Heck, as long as the knowledge and understanding is there, what does it matter if it is in a certain form.

Take care and visit often
Kaiti

[tridlette]

GRRR! I wish the stinking schools would ignore the PSSA and TEACH the kids. I got my kids to view it as just another wasted day in the public building. The teachers get the kids so worked up about it. The pde web site will help you alot. You are specifically looking for information on Chapter 14 laws in Pennsylvania. Talk to the IU if you don't get the answers you need.

Take a look at the tourettesyndrome website as well, they have the great advocacy tutorial.

Remind the school of the 45 day limit to get the testing DONE AND THE REPORT to you. This time of year there is no excuse for a back log... they test all summer long.

If you are in one of the Mont. Co. "blue ribbon schools" good luck! I removed my kids from Montco schools because of the pushy "in your face" attitude about the PSSA's.

I wouldn't stress about them too much... they don't seem to process the tests fast enough to do anything of real significance anyway!

Good luck, let me know if there is anything else I can help you with from my corner of PA.

Laurie

[dawn]

Laurie, Thanks! No, we're in Allegheny County, Woodland Hills school district. DD came home yesterday upset because her teacher told her she WILL have to go to PSSA prep classes on Saturdays! ARRGGHH!

OH, and the school psych dept. called me yesterday to let me know how they were progressing. THEY told me that they know they have 45 days since my letter to get this all done. I was impressed about that anyway.

Do you think I should take an advocate to the IEP meeting when it comes & how do I get one?

Thanks!
~Dawn

[tridlette]

Of course the district wants to make her go to the prep classes... the whole district gets graded... every student that falls into the "below basic" category looks bad on the district report card!

They need to concentrate on educationing the whole student, not just the test taking part.

Let me think about how to find an advocate... I have a few sources to check with. Should be able to get back to you before the weekend, but if you need faster reply, send me a direct e-mail.

I think the laws are pretty clear that an elementary age child only needs to attend school for 180 days and 900 hours... I don't think that they can MAKE her go on weekends too.

Even if you just take another adult to the meeting, you will feel better that you didn't miss anything. Take good notes. Don't be forced into signing anything right away. If there is an attendance sheet, make a note next to signature that says, "signature indicates attendance only".

Also, this is huge... THE DISTRICT/SCHOOL STAFF HAS ONLY ONE VOTE REGARDING THE IEP, and you HAVE one vote. It is NOT a majority rule situation. Don't let them intimidate you by the number of people they have.

Let the teacher know that the evaluation and IEP are pending, and tell her that you will gladly have your daughter do ONE HOUR of homework per night. Ask her whether she would like the emphasis to be on handwriting, or on content. If the writing is more important, than she should expect the amount to be less than the assignment. If she is looking for content, she should expect the work to be done on a computer. A fair compromise might be to do a creative writing piece on the computer, and have her write out the first paragraph in cursive.

At least, that is my personal opinion! I try to keep the BIG PICTURE in mind. What is going to be the end result when my child is 30 yrs. old... is cursive more important or is it the ability and confidence to express yourself?

[dawn]

Thanks!! I agree wholeheartedly! Matter of fact I just got finished writing a note to the teacher. She YELLED at dd in front of the entire class today because I wrote out some science facts for her. I explained that dd dictated them, I just wrote what she said & that with the tons of other homework dd had last night, had I not done it that way, it would not have gotten done at all. I told her I refuse to allow dd to rewrite them (4 pages of handwritten notes, and not even for a grade).I also asked for a meeting with her & explained that dd was not taught cursive in her other school & it would take her awhile to catch up. I did go on to say that I was not trying to undermine her authority & that I expect dd to listen to her rules in class. Like I said before, I'm quickly becoming a wreck over all this & I'm starting to question wether or not public school is such a great idea!

[Kaiti]

8-)you got trid started

That's a good thing, unless you are her son and want to play on the computer but can't until mom gets off

I'm just teasing, Trid has so much information when it comes ot education and all of that, she is her own walking encyclopedia

[dawn]

LOL!! Well, I sure do appreciate it & I'm VERY glad I came here with my troubles! Thank you; ALL of you!!

Oh, and I am the same way with the computer! My dd & I argue over it quite often!

[Linda]

dawn said:

Thanks!! I agree wholeheartedly! Matter of fact I just got finished writing a note to the teacher. She YELLED at dd in front of the entire class today because I wrote out some science facts for her. I explained that dd dictated them, I just wrote what she said & that with the tons of other homework dd had last night, had I not done it that way, it would not have gotten done at all. I told her I refuse to allow dd to rewrite them (4 pages of handwritten notes, and not even for a grade).I also asked for a meeting with her & explained that dd was not taught cursive in her other school & it would take her awhile to catch up. I did go on to say that I was not trying to undermine her authority & that I expect dd to listen to her rules in class. Like I said before, I'm quickly becoming a wreck over all this & I'm starting to question wether or not public school is such a great idea!

Dawn and welcome back. The teacher had no right to yell at your dd...especially in front of the class.

I think most of us on this forum have done some writing for our kids while the kids dictate to us!!!

Fight for that meeting ....you are your childs best advocate.

[dawn]

Thank you! Well, the teacher called me & then the principal called me & we decided that even though there is an assessment pending, we will meet to discuss some strategies for "In the meantime". The meeting is Thursday 9 am. At least they are taking an interest! Its a good sign (I'm hoping).

[finnmom]

GOOD LUCK DAWN

[dawn]

Thank you Finnmom!