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Post by StrugglingAgain on Oct 19, 2004 13:10:49 GMT -5
I just want to know the definition of "reasonable" length of time. My son, nine on Sunday, is failing third grade. The first nine weeks grading period ended on Fri. and report cards are out on Thursday. Since the third week of school we've been meeting with someone, anyone, who would listen that our son needs some help or he'll never pull through. We've convinced them to do all testing that's necessary, but that's whenever they get around to his name on the list. Now he's given up. He doesn't even TRY anymore, and I can't say as I blame him! He's bringing home grades like 50%, 62%, etc. We've met with the teacher (more than once), the assistant principal, and the principal. We've requested a different teacher (I think part of the problem is that he has too much UNstructured time), but noooooo, that's not happening either. What is a reasonable length of time for me to wait for them to do something? I keep thinking that we need tests done first, but jeez, that might take months and in the meantime, he's losing interest altogether!!!! He's always liked school and I envision him all of a sudden turning around and saying how much he hates it! In the last meeting I begged them to not let it get to the point where he doesn't like school because not only would HE suffer, but I would and THEY would. How long do I wait on them?
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Post by rosyred45 on Oct 19, 2004 16:22:11 GMT -5
Struggling again, the time is NOW for them to get things done. He has already gotten through the first period to show his behavior and his loss of interests in acedemics.
March in there tomorrow ----here's
(((((( my hat and broom))))))))
Ask them to speak with the 504 coordinator, and if it is at all possible, TELL THEM YOU"LL WAIT. And kindly find a seat in the office. Show no fear, they will prey on it if you look nervous.
When you see the 504 coordinator, tell them that you will be seeking legal counsol as you have made numerous attempts to get you child help.
Take your paper trail with you. Take the name of legal counsol if you already have it. If not, look for someone around the area to get advice from. Usually if you go in with the wordy stuff, they'll move quicker.
(((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))
Good luck
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Post by finnmom on Oct 20, 2004 1:05:49 GMT -5
Here here to what Kaiti said!
It´s about the time!!! Go there, be persistant and get them to get help for your son!!!
Good Luck!
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Post by Sorka on Oct 20, 2004 7:27:51 GMT -5
If you need some legalese ammunition.. here is some. Ask who the FERPA officer is for the school. Before hand.. go to www.tourettesyndrome.net down at the bottom of the page is an advocacy link. Go to it.. in there there is a self help tutorial. It has a great set of letters that you can kind of just copy and paste putting in the appropriate names.. But you need the name of the FERPA officer.. K? that question alone will turn heads. Got me a personal call from staff at the district office.. better yet.. call the district office and ask that question. Because that person will be 'housed' there. Then follow the first step in the tutorial which is to get a copy of your son's records. THen you should have in hand everything they have in hand. Also it will help you with terms and it has some great one line zinger super calm come backs to stuff like.. we can't do that.. or other road blocks!! Also did you all know that the district cannot deny a child accomodations/IEP/504 elgibility based on one test!!! So anyone out there if the school has done an 'IQ' test and said oh well their IQ is fine, there is no big diff between verbal and spatial or logical reasoning blah blah blah they can't deny elgibility based on that alone.. push for more tests!! anyway.. get that tutorial.. it's alot to print out.. but it is worth it's weight ten times in gold. It'll give you a vocabulary to win!! Do it today! Denise |
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Post by camismom on Oct 20, 2004 8:53:14 GMT -5
I completely and totally agree with Kaiti. It is not only time NOW, it is PAST time for them to do something. He has 3 more nine weeks to bring up those grades and they are legally obligated to help him. If all else fails, threaten to call a local news agency and expose the local school district for not living up to the "No Child Left Behind Act."
Please keep us posted.
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Post by StrugglingAgain on Oct 20, 2004 13:57:49 GMT -5
WOW!! The information you all gave me is awesome. I made a call to the principal and let her have it! SO, he's getting a new teacher on Monday, they have already formed an SST (student Success Team), he's been referred for testing which will be done by the diagnostician within two weeks! I told the principal that is all well and good, but if they were moving along and doing all this, they shouldn't have left we parents out of the loop. He's OUR son and we have the right to know what's going on. If it turns out as I suspect...the tests will show that he's bright and right on target where he should be in the third grade, but he cannot continue to function in the classroom as it is. Our son is very, very distractable and therefore, has a hard time learning while trying to tune out all the chaos in a large classroom. Time will tell, but at least now maybe it'll be a shorter time! Thanks so much for your wise suggestions!
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Post by rosyred45 on Oct 25, 2004 9:10:20 GMT -5
Sorry, been busy around here, congratulations, I hope everything goes OK today.
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Post by Linda on Oct 25, 2004 9:22:26 GMT -5
Please keep us updated...It has been a hard road for you....Hope things continue to go well for you.
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Post by StrugglingAgain on Oct 25, 2004 19:54:47 GMT -5
Well, today was ds's first day with the new teacher. I suppose it went well. She acted cold to me when I walked him to his new classroom, but I'll not think bad thoughts till there's been more time. Afterall, I can't ask for another teacher...this one will be IT for this year! He was only there half a day because we had an appointment with his psychologist who met with him an hour. I have no idea what goes on in there. Ds says they play checkers and talk. Go figure.
I get sooooo tired of doing ADHD day after day after day! But perhaps someday it will pay off. We have always lived in a small community and it was more "hands on" in the classroom. Now living in a large city I feel like my son is just a number. From the first time we mentioned that we wanted him tested, it's been six weeks and he's not been tested yet. Is it normal for it to take so long? THEN I suppose it'll take a couple of weeks to analyze the results? ARG....by then it'll be Christmas and school always improves after the holiday for my son.
I'm finally understanding why it wasn't possible for me to start work on getting him a 504 or an IEP in the summer time. There had to be someone to "refer" him and, of course, that can't be done in the summer. Do all children lose so much time waiting on an IEP to be decided on and implemented? I feel like he's losing so much ground every single day! If I thought we wouldn't kill each other, I'd consider homeschooling....NO, I'd never survive....!!
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Post by catseye on Oct 26, 2004 8:35:36 GMT -5
It did take a while for the testing, but I dont think it was 6 weeks and going like yours is... I think it took about a month, but we scheduled the meeting (which turned into an iep) to review the tests BEFORE the testing started... This I think kept the school to a schedule, tests had to be done in time for the meeting...
Can you give us an idea how big the school is? I wish I could help more!
cat
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Post by StrugglingAgain on Oct 26, 2004 12:55:11 GMT -5
There are 900+ students in ds's elementary school. The diagnostician covers two schools, so is in each of them 2-3 days a week. Are there THAT many to test that it takes so long? Maybe it's all the reports after the tests that takes forever. I dunno. Perhaps when it's all said and done, he won't be losing so much ground because they'll change his goals for the school year. This gives me a headache....
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Post by Sorka on Oct 26, 2004 14:41:37 GMT -5
Hey now Ithought that my son and I would be at each other.. and I will tell you what.. some times we are.. but you have to concider.. what benefits school has over homeschool.. sit down and list it out.. pros and cons.. see what you come up with.
Denise
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Post by rosyred45 on Oct 26, 2004 17:34:38 GMT -5
Oh my Lord, that many kids :oPre-K thru 8th here is only 475. Oh man, now I have a better understanding.
How many grades are there at your school, some elementary schools are like ours, others are only up to 7th or 5th.
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Post by StrugglingAgain on Oct 26, 2004 18:51:52 GMT -5
My son's elementary school is K-5th....about 950 students. We're a suburb of Houston, but we've never lived in a city this large and it's hard for me to get used to my ds being treated more like a number than a little boy......with feelings! We'll get through it, though. We're TEXT tough!
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Post by rosyred45 on Oct 26, 2004 19:04:08 GMT -5
Alright, even though I am a Philadelphia Eagles fan, I will admit those Texan's are a strong bunch  |
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