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Post by Angelia on Sept 7, 2004 13:08:44 GMT -5
Hi! I haven't been on here in a while, but I am just at my witts ends and need somewhere to vent. Especially with people that know what I am going through! I have an absolutely beautiful 9 year old son that is adhd. He began taking meds. at age 4. My son is extremely hyper. Meds. have always helpped his hyperness, but never helped much with his attention problems. So, in the 1st grade we started the 504 program with him. While staying in main stream classes. That is where all of my problems began. I have had to go up to the school no less than 10 times in a nine weeks grading period each year to demand that the teachers do the modifications in the 504 plan. It has been an up hill battle every year!! The teachers will not stick with the modifications. They do really good the first week that I come up there, but after that it goes back to the same old same old. I also talk with his school counelor through out the year about it and she tries to be as understanding as possible, but she can only do so much she is not his teacher!! Also, each year they try to convience me that he needs to be in special ed classes. At times they have completely pushed that issue with me. Finally, last year we had him tested, and he did not require special ed. At this time the special ed teacher that tested him stated that he had definate problems with staying on task, and as long as the 504 plan was being worked he should do fine. That statement would have been wonderful if I could get the teachers to do the 504 plan, but I can not! They act as if it is to much for them to do, and I am asking way to much out of them!! The problem this year is that he just started 4th grade, and he has 6 diffrent teachers this year. I have been so over whelmed with just having to deal with one 6 is already driving me crazy!! I need help with this! I am about to go back into the school this week to redo 504 plan modifications. I don't want to look like an idiot so please someone help me!! I want to make sure that I have my facts straight. Am I correct in stating that my child should be allowed to stay in main stream classes, and recieve his modifications without any problems, and what can I do to enforce that these teachers do these modifications? Am I right in stating that the law allows my child to get an education just like every other child in main stream classes with these modifications or does he have to be in special ed to be able to recieve these modifications without any problems? I have plans this year to go back to work. I have not been able to work the last 2 years because of having to deal with the school every time I turn around! So, this year I do not have the luxury of letting things slide. This is the year that the school will do their jobs! So, please help!! What do I do to make this year work for me!!!
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Post by eaccae on Sept 7, 2004 13:24:47 GMT -5
I completely feel your frustration!!! Unfortunately I don't have much advice.
Your son should definitely be in a mainstream classroom! He has attention problems - putting him in a special ed classroom for attention isn't going to address the problem as I hardly believe he is going to be taught one on one!!
I can't help you with what should be in the 504 as we have ONLY just received one and we haven't started switching classes yet - but definitely stick to your guns! He was tested by the special ed teacher - do you have any paperwork with her recommendations? If not - request in writing a copy of your son's files. I hate to say this - but I was to the point myself that if they denied the 504 this year I was going to do it - but you may have to gear up to go before the board of ed. The point of the 504 is for the school to identify and provide accomodations to a child and the school is RESPONSIBLE for providing these accomodations. If the teachers are NOT providing the accomodations - get out that hat and broom stick!! By sitting in those meetings and signing those forms they are responsible for implementing what is on that paper!!! I hate confrontation - but at some point you have to do what you have to do! Hopefully you won't have to get to that point. But I would definitely - just in your heart prepare for that - it helps internally when you go into the meeting!!
Hopefully others here will have some great advice for you!!
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Post by HooDunnit on Sept 7, 2004 20:04:16 GMT -5
Hi Angelia. It is nice to see you back again.
Barry
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Post by rosyred45 on Sept 8, 2004 6:46:12 GMT -5
Hi Angelia, I hope this helps a little. www.504idea.org/504overview.htmlGo to this site and see what you can do. You can borrow my broom, fortunately the AP at our school has a son with adhd so we did pretty well with getting our 504. You can file a grievance against the school, but I'm not exactly sure all of the ins and outs. If I find anything else, I'll let you know. Kaiti |
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Post by Angelia on Sept 8, 2004 11:06:53 GMT -5
Rosyred45,
Thankyou, so much for the website! I have been looking for days on the computer for a good website for 504, and have not had much luck. This was a very informative one. So, for anyone else out there with this same kind of problem it is worth your while to go and check it out!! Thanks again!!
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Post by Angelia on Sept 8, 2004 11:15:04 GMT -5
update:
I was up at the school today, and ran into the school counselor and talked with her about remodifiying some of my sons 504 plan, and she told me, lets wait until progress reports to see if he is failing. I told her that I could not believe that they would want to wait until he was failing to do something about it. I explained to her that that was completely unexceptable, and that we needed to schedule a meeting before my son got to the point of failing. So, she is going to set something up. So, cross your fingers for me!!
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Post by rosyred45 on Sept 8, 2004 11:20:03 GMT -5
Everything crossed over here. Make sure to keep on them about it. DOCUMENT DOCUMENT DOCUMENT!!!!! Jot down when you call, what they say, and what was accomplished with the phone call before the meeting. That way if they keep putting you off, you have your butt covered letting an outside party KNOW that you tried on your end and it was the school that is dragging its heels. Hope it won't come to that though, but you never know, they wanted to wait....and wait....and wait......  Good luck |
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Post by eaccae on Sept 8, 2004 11:34:25 GMT -5
Good for you!!!! Kaiti is right - document, document, document.
Actually a friend of mine started doing this at the meetings (I really wish I had done this as well) - she told them that she had to tape record the meetings for her son's therapist. The school had no problem with it - but they also had to tape record the meeting if she did. I think it helped get some things done, though! On the other hand - she had to watch some of the things that SHE said as well.
Anyway - you are hopefully headed in the right direction and you did the right thing! Why wait until he is failing - UNBELIEVABLE!!!! Keeping my figners crossed for you as well!!
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