1Madison
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Tomorrow is another day..........
Posts: 18
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Post by 1Madison on Nov 11, 2003 20:05:32 GMT -5
Hello everybody,
I'm going to our FIRST evaluation meeting in Dec and they are going to tell me what they found in my childs evaluation testing. It's like I don't know WHAT will help her in her learning and I DON'T want to be a total "YES man" at this meeting. I know she struggles in reading and memorzation/tests. I would like to have some GOOD ideas of what might help her do BETTER on her papers at school. It's like "How can I make her smarter?" I'm at the point where I see really NOTHING helping all that much. I contacted them back in Sept about doing these tests and here our first meeting isn't until Dec 3rd and that is JUST to decuss there finding and start more TESTING which means nothing will be in place until goodness knows when?? Well, I would love to hear from other parents that's gone through this process and what helped them for there child to do better on tests/work sheets, etc at school??
Take care...Madison
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Lora
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Post by Lora on Nov 11, 2003 22:57:52 GMT -5
Call me a skeptic, but it sounds like the school is just trying to buy some time here. They have to meet with you in a certain number of days and so they will, but they really haven't done all that they needed to do.
Sounds like if they are still in the eval process, no IEP details will be discussed yet. Certainly don't sign anything you are not comfortable with. If they do start talking IEP, tell them you need to take this home and digest it (READ: post it so you can get feedback) and make a date to meet again. But, it just doesn't sound like they are that far yet.
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Post by catseye on Nov 12, 2003 11:21:16 GMT -5
Unfortunately sd's school was sooo slow getting things in place, she practically lost the whole year in learning and had to be held back... Now that we have the original IEP set I am hopeing things will move faster from now on!!
As Lora said, dont sign anything right then and there, unless you are comfortable with it... You do have the right to take a few days to digest, and come up with some ideas also... Good luck
cat
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1Madison
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Tomorrow is another day..........
Posts: 18
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Post by 1Madison on Nov 12, 2003 12:28:14 GMT -5
 THANKS SO MUCH! Yes....I FORGOT I do want to think it over at home before signing and you reminded me of that! Your right! They won't be really discussing details on what or whatever will help her in class at this FIRST meeting or I don't really think so. It's taking LONG...I do believe they want to do what Catseye talked about...DRAGGING their FEET and YES she'll fail a grade at this point. I think they do that so WHATEVER??? They decide they got the paper trail saying like "She failed a grade, etc, etc." I'm at such a LOST on what will really help her?? The teacher is too at a lost. She DOESN'T do the evaluation but neither one of us really know what it will take to bring her grades up on a steady basis?? I review and go over everything that is done in class as of now. I can do that being she only in 2nd grade but next year...FORGET it! I just can't be expected to keep up this pace. Thanks again for all the advice!
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Post by homebody67 on Nov 12, 2003 13:08:14 GMT -5
Check out addinschool.com They have alot of ideas for in classroom help. I found them very valuable when we were re-evaluating my son's 504 plan. It may give you some ideas of modifications to request. I can see how alot of their ideas can be implemented for alot of different LD's. Good luck, Terri |
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Jenn
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Hey all just let me know you are from ADHD site :)
Posts: 121
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Post by Jenn on Nov 14, 2003 14:23:37 GMT -5
Hey guys, I need some help also.
I don't know if you recall me saying on the other site about Mikie's teacher saying she feels he is old enough to remember his stuff on his own and all that crap.
Well the boat got rocked today. I didn't notice until getting ready to go out to the bus that he didn't have his coat and that it was at school so I put a rather mean note saying he needs help remembering his stuff. That I felt he was not too old to be reminded and it was her job as is my job.
She finally called me. She said well I always remind the kids as they are packing up to not forget their stuff. That blew me away because at the first of the year she said she won't help Mikie after December, and was only doing it so I wouldn't cause trouble. She said I also have the 2 little girls next to him remind him. Mikie listen to another kid??? YEAH RIGHT!!!
I demanded a IEP review. She hasn't even read all of his file. I told her you do know he has other problems besides the ADHD don't you?
Also talked to pedi explained to him that it seems to me that when I try to read with him he is doing it by memory, because I have to go thru it with him a couple of times and than he seems to not really be looking at it. Also told him that we were doing math homework and when I finally got him to tell me the answer was 21 when he went to write it he put the 1 first. He said it wouldn't hurt to have testing done. THat he is getting older and that he is not googing and trying to make me mad that there could very well be something there.
Wish me luck. I should know if not today than next week when the IEP is.
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Post by catseye on Nov 14, 2003 19:59:55 GMT -5
I cant really give any suggestions on the other, sound like you are going to have a review, which would of been my suggestion... On the quote though, sd can read a certain word in one book then give her the SAME word in a different book you get "I dont know".... GRRRRR Drives me batty... Anyway found out she was doing the in school also, she was reading level 4 books, turns out she memorized level 4 books, and now cant [glow=red,2,300]READ[/glow] level 2 book  .... Very hard to catch when the fake things so well!!! Good luck cat |
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1Madison
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Tomorrow is another day..........
Posts: 18
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Post by 1Madison on Nov 14, 2003 20:24:25 GMT -5
Jenn,
I have some of this problem too. She's terrible about reading alot of words. I just hope for memozation with alot of them. She still at times are switching around letters....was....saw it's not all the time but when she's tired and not thinking clearly she starts to do that. Does the same thing with numbers too! Wants to write them backwards sometimes. She does alot of memorzation of stories and I used to re-read them to her but now I'm trying to stop doing that. They are getting LONG and neither one of us want to re-read them. I would think if a parent REQUEST that their child make SURE they bring home ALL material the teacher could help them out?? If I was a teacher and I KNEW there was a child that is struggling with a SIMPLE issue like that it doesn't take much to GET UP off that teacher chair and make sure that child has all the material sent home! I would MAKE sure that is written on the IEP if you end up with one. Hope this helps some...madison
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Jenn
Full Member
Hey all just let me know you are from ADHD site :)
Posts: 121
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Post by Jenn on Nov 14, 2003 22:19:59 GMT -5
The team meeting was a verbal request and I am sending a written request with text off the internet that cognitive and other problems go hand in hand with NF. I could care less about the ADHD right now. The doc thinks it is more LD related to the NF than his ADHD since there have been no concerns from school. What really got me was I told her about the NF and that if there is not enough info in his file she had my permission to ask to see the info from Kats file. I just feel him falling thru the cracks and I won't put up with it. Doc said it will be a long haul with this being a small town and being in county school.
I guess it was the straw that broke the camels back. He is smart. I know he is. Just need some help bringing it outta him.
He said that sometimes the letters and numbers look funny. It is also almost time for vision check.
And the reading thing, when he does read instead of "Can I go?" he says " Will I go?" (Yellow FIsh, Blue Fish, D.C. Heath and Company). It seems a combo of just guessing and memorizing certain words. Enough to get by yet enough to make ppl think he is goofing off.
I know I rambled, but it didn't seem as hard to get help for Kat. She was in Resource, I was told " I feel like I am wastein gmy time," so she went back to all "normal" classes and started to "slip" I said to them I did it your way now time to do it my way and they had no problem with it. But with Mikie who you can tell is immature and needs a helping hand they are content with and hour or so of Resource a day and he went from a lik 95 in math to a 84. I know that is not so bad, but what if next it is 74 and than 64? It is getting harder and he is cracking it seems. He came home yet again with a math paper to redo.
Better go before y'all go nuts..... lol
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1Madison
New Member
Tomorrow is another day..........
Posts: 18
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Post by 1Madison on Nov 18, 2003 14:00:47 GMT -5
Hi,
Seems like Dec 3rd is taking FOREVER!! I can't believe a parent requesting a evaluation back in the middle of SEPTEMBER doesn't have the FIRST meeting about it until Dec 3rd??? That seems very LONG!! Teachers nor the princible know what was given on the tests or how she did? All the teacher could say was "They saw something and she was distracted easlily." The teacher told me "She was sorry it's taking so long for the first meeting about the evaluation but that's the way this process goes." The school isn't informed at all about HOW a child does on these evaluations until that first meeting with the parents. Then EVERYBODY in the room knows. The princible said "yes, we have a slight idea of what they might be seeing but it's only from others taking this test and what papers are sent to school after the tests are done." She seems to be doing slightly better in class work. Not a HUGE improvement but I've not seen a D or F in a few days. That's GOOD for her!! Even though she's NOT a summer b-day she just might be a LATE bloomer and another year of 2nd might help her alot??? I don't know...Driving me crazy on this WAIT! Take care....Madison
Nothing like KNOWING this first meeting won't get a thing changed just set her up for more TESTING....ugggggggg.......
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Post by eaccae on Nov 18, 2003 17:40:47 GMT -5
Madison,
Who administered the tests? Sounds like it was outsourced or something? Maybe that is why it is taking so long? Our school psychologist administered most of the tests - we requested them the first week of October and I met with him to go over the results on the 10th. We have our first IEP meeting on the 25th. Let us know how it goes!
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1Madison
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Tomorrow is another day..........
Posts: 18
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Post by 1Madison on Nov 18, 2003 19:29:16 GMT -5
hi eaccae,
It took about a week or so for the school to get with the main office and apply for the tests, etc and get the special ed teacher to start testing. My daughter said 'Mom they came to school TWICE for testing on her recess/gym time and they WEREN'T very long or she didn't think so." She felt they were easy for the most part but I know they have tricky was of catching a learning problem so I'm sure all of it wasn't that easy. Now a person would THINK if they only came to school TWICE and that's been over with almost a MONTH now this meeting could take place a bit sooner. The princible said 'They have to get me on the calendar and fit me in their schdule for the meeting which EVERYBODY will be there." I hate to say this but it makes me kind of 'scared' dealing with that many professionals and WISH it would be more one on one with just the teacher and or special ed teacher and myself. I'm not comfortable with a group like that drilling me and telling me what THEY see or don't see. I hate dealing with any process like this!! I guess givin all this TIME to think on all of it makes me NERVOUS! I'm afraid I'm going to talk their ear off and look stupid!! You have a WONDERFUL school that got to that meeting QUICKLY!! That was very quick compairing it to my daughters school!! Ok...re-reading your note....You went to the first meeting the 10th....question...Did they have your child do anymore testing after that??? Then you had a IEP meeting the 25th....Were they able to put something in place at that first meeting??? The way my daughters school is they told me....'If they see NOTHING at this first amount of testing then nothing will be done for her but if they see SOMETHING then she will have the FULL BOAT OF ASSETMENTS and then they will call me back in to discuss wht they found after that and see what can be done for her on that level.' It sounded to me it's a ALL or NOTHING kind of thing. Pass small tests...nothing Doesn't pass small tests then FULL boat of testing. Teacher told me SHE is going to push for that full scale of testing for her. I don't know how to feel about it all? Teacher doesn't realize PRINCIBLE told me 'There WON'T be anymore testing if she passes those first tests no matter WHAT the teacher says.' I guess I would have to wait until next year and see how she does in class. Well, didn't mean to go on and on...take care.....MADISON
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Post by eaccae on Nov 20, 2003 8:56:05 GMT -5
Madison,
The tests were the full gammat (IQ tests, written language, etc.) - I guess it is the policy that they have to complete a full evaluation before they can consider an IEP. (Even though we had had most of these at the end of Kindergarten). I also had requested certain tests. All of the tests administered by the school pscyhologist were completed and that is who I met with on the 10th. He probably met with DS almost every day for a little while. I guess the tests he administered were over a total of 9 hours worth - but given in smal increments.
The handwriting tests I had requested weren't completed yet - the special ed teacher was administering those . But on my meeting on the 25th they will be done. From my understanding they will starting talking about the IEP at that point. I'll let you know.
That makes no sense to me. It doesn't sound like she had a whole bunch of tests - so how can you determine anything with just a few tests? That's why the give the full evals - so that they don't miss anything and have as much information as possible to work with. Definitely keep me posted! I'll let you know how the first meeting goes boefore your meeting!
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Madison
Member
Tomorrow is another day............
Posts: 90
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Post by Madison on Nov 20, 2003 9:44:31 GMT -5
Eaccae,
Your name spelling is alot like Eminen.... ;D
I think your TOTALLY correct about every child needing the full boat of assetments or it's too easy for them to slip through the cracks. School said "These MINI tests tell them pretty closely WHO'S having learning troubles and who isn't." I guess it's the expense of these tests? I did see they waited until AFTER the acheivement tests were given for our first meeting. The WHOLE school does those. They WON'T have the results until end of school year so that won't do them much good. She said "The OLD assetment tests weren't very good at all via....If the child in 1st grade could read CAT N THE HAT they were doing FINE which EVERYBODY knows 1st grade is NOTHING like that!" They got rid of those assetments and these new ones are to be pretty good! It doesn't take them long to see if that child is struggling. Right now her MAIN PROBLEM is READING. That is the focus she most needs. She's doing better but not really good enough for a solid passing grade or at least a solid C average. She's REALLY been TRYING here the past few days. I see the improvement. I think she's scared of failing 2nd grade. I feel for her but realize truth is she's REALLY not ready for 3rd grade on what papers she's doing at home and ME having to re-do alot of the work she is doing. Doesn't look like she's even reading the questions on alot of it. I would like to get away from me sitting with her through ALL of her homework! She's got to start doing this on her own with some of my help. After reading your posts on your process of these evaluations....THANK GOONESS...I started this NOW!! I had no idea it would take a school year to get her the help she is needing to get up and go to the special ed teacher for extra help or whatever they see that can help her. Thanks for all your inputs both YOU AND JENN! Please keep me posted on the details of your evaluation process and I'll do the same. I've NOT asked for any special tests? I didn't know WHAT to really ask when I started this process?? How do you put into words "My kid is struggling in class papers and homework and it's all very HARD for her!" Their first response is "Well, it does them GOOD to HOLD them back a year." I think it's more than that to tell the truth but MAYBE?? Take care...Madison
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They did not send written notice until Tuesday and yesterday as soon as the kids got to school it was closed due to the risk of flooding because of all the rain we had since Tuesday afternoon/evening.