Anyone have a high school student with an IEP?

[torinsmom]

If so, how it is handled?

DS15 is a sophomore in hs. He has inattentive ADHD, dysgraphia(a writing disability), a listening comprehension disability and a math computation disability. His ADD is unmedicated as every medicine they have tried(Adderall, Concerta and Vyanase so far) has given him bad side effects.

He has a class called Academic Strategies every day for one period. Basically, it is a study hall with his IEP person with a full class of other kids. Other than that, he is expected to complete the same work, the same way, in the same timeframe as other kids in his class. He is failing all his classes right now, and most of it is missed work he has not completed and in math, he has failed tests because he does not understand the material. I am at my wits end trying to figure out what to do to help him. He is so frustrated that he is not doing much work at all at school. He has never been a behavior problem, or been disrespectful, but now his teachers say he is putting his head down or just refusing to do his work. I don't know if this is a defense mechanism or he is just being a terd. If you have teenagers, you know what I mean.

Any advice?

Marsha

 

[tw1nsmom]

Can I ask why he has to do his work in the same way, place and time frame? Have they tried having him take tests in another, quieter location? Does taking extra time help him (time and a half for tests)? Does he have the use of a computer for tests, homework and classwork (dysgraphia)? Is he using a calculator for basic computations? Is the special education teacher modifying any of his tests or assignments? Does he have difficulty taking notes and if so is he either given copies of the notes or records them? Does he have preferential seating? If he has a listening comprehension disability, again, is he being given written copies of class notes? These are all common a basic accommodations.

 

[MushyMushy]

Do you know what, if any, modifications are listed in his IEP? You might want to get a copy of that to see. Look for things like extra time to take tests, someone to read tests to him, a teacher to give him copies of notes, being able to type his homework or present orally, etc. You might want to reopen the IEP if it's not addressing all his needs. Or it could be that his teachers need "reminding" to follow the program! They HAVE to do this by law.

I just attended my DD's IEP meeting in which we handled her IEP for high school, and those were some of the things we put into it. Also, she will be going into regular ed classrooms with inclusion teachers (they will put the kids with IEPs in the back of the room and the special ed teachers sit in the back with them and help them).

You don't have long before the end of the school year, so try to get all this in before the next year. That way, he'll have a fresh start with new teachers and (hopefully) a fresh outlook. Good luck to him.

 

[LMC]

Yes I do! Here are a few suggestions:
1. Proximal seating in the class rooms
2. Longer time to take tests; have the teacher/aide read the test to him if needed
3. May retake one test per grading period if he scores below a 59
4. Teacher or aide MUST write down his HW daily (get this very specific!!)
5. Only one 9 week exam per DAY; he will be put on a different testing schedule
6. CORRECTED study guides and 24 hours notice before ANY test
7. Use of a laptop to type anything he must reference in the future and no more repeating work if they can't read it (he has a diagnosed disability and they are aware of it!) too bad so sad for the teacher if they didn't let him use the laptop in the first place

I'll let you know if I think of anything else. You must get them to be specific in the IEP wording or you can't enforce any of it. Also, have you tried the Daytrana patch for ADD? My son uses these because he can not tolerate the oral meds.

 

[Sparx]

Do you have an IEP meeting with his file holder every year?

When I was in high school, my file holder would call a meeting between my parents, a psychologist, and she invited all of my teachers. Sometimes other people would be there too. They mostly went over my IEP goals and added/removed anything for the oncoming year, and they would discuss my class schedule for the next year.

The meetings were very helpful. If you don't have one of these scheduled regularly, it might be a good idea to call his file holder and discuss your concerns with him or her.

 

[Cindy B]

I have a high school age son with an IEP.

He has a class that sounds similar to your Academic Strategies class. He also stays after almost every day after school for tutoring and I also do homework with him afterschool. He already has proximal seating, 1:1 tutoring afterschool, small group, extra time for assignments, possibility or oral assessments.

It is an uphill battle. So far it looks like he may have to go to summer school. Our suburban district doesn't offer it-- so I will make him take a city bus to the inner city district to take these classes. He will have to pay his own bus fare and his own tuition (it isn't free!). This inner city district is really the only district that offers summer school

I think I need to drive by this high school with him to see that high school.

 

[Sparx]

I have a high school age son with an IEP.

He has a class that sounds similar to your Academic Strategies class. He also stays after almost every day after school for tutoring and I also do homework with him afterschool. He already has proximal seating, 1:1 tutoring afterschool, small group, extra time for assignments, possibility or oral assessments.

It is an uphill battle. So far it looks like he may have to go to summer school. Our suburban district doesn't offer it-- so I will make him take a city bus to the inner city district to take these classes. He will have to pay his own bus fare and his own tuition (it isn't free!). This inner city district is really the only district that offers summer school

I think I need to drive by this high school with him to see that high school.

I'm a social work student, and last semester I was studying some school social work practices. I think you should talk to your district social worker about Public Law 94-142.

I'm not sure about your particular case, but in some cases the school district can be required to pay tuition to send a handicapped child to the location of another school that better serves their needs. You might have to fight for it, but if it saves you the money and gets him the services he needs, I think it would be worth it.

 

[Cindy B]

I'm a social work student, and last semester I was studying some school social work practices. I think you should talk to your district social worker about Public Law 94-142.

I'm not sure about your particular case, but in some cases the school district can be required to pay tuition to send a handicapped child to the location of another school that better serves their needs. You might have to fight for it, but if it saves you the money and gets him the services he needs, I think it would be worth it.

See summer school is considered an "extra" and our district does not feel the need to have summer school for kids that fail the course. There is an option for ESY for students with extrodinary challenges. He does not qualify for the ESY summer year program because he does have good grades and higher level classes but he does tend to "fail" them due to lack of handing in work. He can do the work, but not hand it in...

This is the challenge with a "gifted" child with an IEP. Many veteran teachers think he is just "faking the system" and some teachers dumb down the curriculum with him. He is having a challenging time because of this issue.

He would have to go to summer school basically because of his own choices of not doing the homework or handing in the homework. Its not like he can't do but he CHOOSES not to. He has no auditory or processing delays so in effect, he's just lazy. The district isn't going to offer summer school for that.

 

[Sparx]

See summer school is considered an "extra" and our district does not feel the need to have summer school for kids that fail the course. There is an option for ESY for students with extrodinary challenges. He does not qualify for the ESY summer year program because he does have good grades and higher level classes but he does tend to "fail" them due to lack of handing in work. He can do the work, but not hand it in...

This is the challenge with a "gifted" child with an IEP. Many veteran teachers think he is just "faking the system" and some teachers dumb down the curriculum with him. He is having a challenging time because of this issue.

He would have to go to summer school basically because of his own choices of not doing the homework or handing in the homework. Its not like he can't do but he CHOOSES not to. He has no auditory or processing delays so in effect, he's just lazy. The district isn't going to offer summer school for that.

I'm sorry to hear that they don't consider it necessary in his case. From my lectures about this law, the schools tend to really dig in their heels and fight back whenever someone brings it up.

I was labeled Gifted in my IEP, and many of the students in my program had the same problems you said your son is having. It was listed in almost all of our IEPs that we were supposed to get either extra or more challenging work, but that was more work on the teachers part, so it usually never happened, so they were pretty lazy with the assignments that they did receive.

Does his high school have a department for the special ed students? My high school had a "learning lab" that I worked in as a senior. I would do read-aloud tests for some students, and some of the other gifted students would come in to use the computers, or work on their assignments in a quiet, non distracting place. Our file holder's office was in the same room, so she was there if there were ever any questions or concerns about our assignments. That might be helpful in your son's case?

 

[Cindy B]

I'm sorry to hear that they don't consider it necessary in his case. From my lectures about this law, the schools tend to really dig in their heels and fight back whenever someone brings it up.

I was labeled Gifted in my IEP, and many of the students in my program had the same problems you said your son is having. It was listed in almost all of our IEPs that we were supposed to get either extra or more challenging work, but that was more work on the teachers part, so it usually never happened, so they were pretty lazy with the assignments that they did receive.

Does his high school have a department for the special ed students? My high school had a "learning lab" that I worked in as a senior. I would do read-aloud tests for some students, and some of the other gifted students would come in to use the computers, or work on their assignments in a quiet, non distracting place. Our file holder's office was in the same room, so she was there if there were ever any questions or concerns about our assignments. That might be helpful in your son's case?

They do have a specific department after school and he does go. However the issue is handing in the work. I have threatened to come to school as an AIDE for the day just to show him how its done.. (I have subbed in this school before so it is not an IDLE threat). One time after school I did drop in and the look on his face was priceless!

 

[torinsmom]

We do have an IEP meeting each year, although this past fall, it was only me and his IEP person. The other people were unable to come due to a Swine Flu outbreak. It was kind of non-productive to have no teacher input.

In his IEP, the accomodations are:

1. extended time (1.5 x tests, 2 days assignments)

He doesn't usually need this for tests. Tests are hard for him more because he does not understand the information, and more time won't change that.

It would be helpful for assignments though, because he is often a day or two late turning things in. At the present time, I don't think any of the teachers are giving him full credit for late assignments.

2. Mark in book

Helpful for scantron tests, but I know he has bubbled in some himself this
year(maybe by choice)

3. Preferential Seating

This has not been followed. I asked about it for math classes, but he says he rotates the students each day so every child gets a chance to be in the front, middle and back. So he says every student gets preferential seating.

4. Copy of notes

This has been the hardest one. DS is expected to take notes like everyone else. The school says they do not have a computer for him to use. The teachers tell me that they do the notes on Smartboard or that he needs them on notecards, etc. The math teacher actually emailed me notes which were math problems, NOT COMPLETED. I don't know how that was supposed to help.



I am beginning to think I will have to be a witch with a capital B to get a fair education for DS. I am meeting with Mr Math on Monday morning, and I don't exactly know what to say. He said in his last email that a child has to work hard to fail in his class and that DS is working "diligently" towards this goal. When I met with him earlier in the year at a report card conference, he asked me what I was going to do when DS was in college and I couldn't email and talk to his teachers. Unfortunately, he is the only math teacher that teaches the remaining math DS needs to graduate. It's either that or try to get him through geometry, Algebra 2 and advanced math in the next two years. He took two years to pass algebra and he almost didn't do that!

BTW, every stinkin quarter I have to remind his teachers to READ HIS IEP! If I see another one of his papers with "Cannot read" or "Horrible writing!" I am going to SCREAM! The kid has a writing disability and he feels bad enough without you reminding him. Just ask him to read it if you can't. And stop having the kids swap papers to grade because it is really not appropriate, and it embarrasses kids who have writing problems. UGH


I will have to ask about the Daytrana patch. He had chest pain and almost passed out from Concerta and Adderall had him not urinating for 12 hours. Vyanase made his stomach hurt really bad.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

I had an IEP from K-8, and from 9-11 (this year), I've had a 504 plan.

I have to sit in on my 504 plan. It's usually my teacher for the hearing impaired, my guidance councelor, and my mom. Teachers are invited, but none ever show up (go figure!).

We go over assigned seating in classes (front right side of the room for me), note-taking, and gym classes (I can't do contact sports). We also talk about my schedule to see if it's all set and okay for the next year. Because I'm graduating next year, I only have to do this one more time (woohoo!), and it's next Wednesday morning during my "free" period.

I sympathize with your son; it's hard being the "different" kid in the class sometimes. I've never failed a class, though (and a good thing, because I'm in honors classes!).

I'm not sure what advice to really give you, except to talk to a teacher or aide about him. I don't know about your son's school, but at my school, the guidance councelors are pretty much useless.

 

[MushyMushy]

Well, I have news for Mr. Math -- the ADA covers college classes too, so it's likely your son will be able to get accommodations there. A big one being, depending on his major, he can substitute math credits for something else.

 

[torinsmom]

Well, I have news for Mr. Math -- the ADA covers college classes too, so it's likely your son will be able to get accommodations there. A big one being, depending on his major, he can substitute math credits for something else.

Are you saying he may not have to take math classes in college? That would be AMAZING. Right now, we are faced with him having to go to community college, at least until he can pass geometry, algebra 2 and advanced math. Four year colleges require those courses. I think he can get through Geometry

Actually, if DS had been a year younger, he would have to have all those courses TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL! I don't know what kids with more severe learning disabilities do.

Marsha

 

[LBAK]

My DD had an IEP all through high school. Always supply each teacher with a copy on the first day of school. After they turn 14 NY encourages to attend their own CSE meetings with their parents. Ask for every modification possible. My DD has ADD and having her questions read to her was a huge help. A class member supplied a second set of notes. The teacher asks a student to write notes on carbon paper and the second set is given to the child with the IEP.
Sometimes approaching the teacher early in the year (after they read the IEP) and being specific about problems leads to extended time on homework assignments. Many of my DD's teacher were helpful in giving extra time even though it was not on her IEP. Her special ed teacher fought for a lot of this also.
He is probably frustrated beyond belief. My DD wanted to drop out at 16 because of her disablities. She couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. I doubt he is "being a terd". How about a vocational program for him part of the day?

 

[Sparx]

They do have a specific department after school and he does go. However the issue is handing in the work. I have threatened to come to school as an AIDE for the day just to show him how its done.. (I have subbed in this school before so it is not an IDLE threat). One time after school I did drop in and the look on his face was priceless!

I have one particular former classmate in mind that reminds me of the way you describe your son. Our file holder made him give HER all of his work and she turned it in for him. He spent a lot of his day down in her office, working on his work, so he just gave it to her when he finished. While that is an extreme answer to the problem, do you think anything similar could be implemented? When he does his work (in the after school tutoring) the tutor could transport the work for him?

 

[fimac]

For the dysgraphia he needs to be provided with a laptop, by you or the school. It should have a scanner and software so that he can write on scanned documents. The laptop should also have word prediction software.

It does sound like they are accommodating the dysgraphia at all. If no laptop everything should be scribed.

 

[Kathi OD]

If so, how it is handled?

DS15 is a sophomore in hs. He has inattentive ADHD, dysgraphia(a writing disability), a listening comprehension disability and a math computation disability. His ADD is unmedicated as every medicine they have tried(Adderall, Concerta and Vyanase so far) has given him bad side effects.

He has a class called Academic Strategies every day for one period. Basically, it is a study hall with his IEP person with a full class of other kids. Other than that, he is expected to complete the same work, the same way, in the same timeframe as other kids in his class. He is failing all his classes right now, and most of it is missed work he has not completed and in math, he has failed tests because he does not understand the material. I am at my wits end trying to figure out what to do to help him. He is so frustrated that he is not doing much work at all at school. He has never been a behavior problem, or been disrespectful, but now his teachers say he is putting his head down or just refusing to do his work. I don't know if this is a defense mechanism or he is just being a terd. If you have teenagers, you know what I mean.

Any advice?

Marsha

What strategies does his IEP say the school will use to accommodate his difficulties in the classroom? Teachers should be using those strategies to help your son be successful in their classes. If they are not, then the school is in violation of your son's IEP.

If the school is requiring him to do everything in the same way as the other students in class, there is no reason for him to have an IEP. The IEP needs to be written so that your son gets the support he needs to be successful in the classroom.

As another poster suggested, get a copy of P.L. 94-192. Get real familiar with it. If your child has been identified as a special education student, then the school MUST provide him with support. Making him do everything exactly the same as every other student is not the intention of the law. Time to get proactive mom and contact the school to set up a meeting with his caseworker or Academic Strategies teacher. Something is wrong with the picture you've described.

 

[torinsmom]

For the dysgraphia he needs to be provided with a laptop, by you or the school. It should have a scanner and software so that he can write on scanned documents. The laptop should also have word prediction software.

It does sound like they are accommodating the dysgraphia at all. If no laptop everything should be scribed.

He has a laptop, but I am not willing for him to take it to school, due to the risk of it being damaged or stolen by other students. With the ADD, he may leave it behind, etc. I have had no luck getting him one for school. It would not help with math anyway.

I wish he could get copies of all the notes. That would help. I am going to have to get mean, which is something I would prefer not to do.

DS was in the charter school I taught at for his first 8 years and they were great. He had resource math with only a few kids and they stayed on a subject until he "got" it. He got copies of teachers notes and was able to revise tests he failed(Actually all students were able to do this. The teacher said the goal was for the kids to learn the information and they needed to find the correct answers to help with that) His middle school class had a syllabus for each class with due dates and rubrics. They were required to keep their assignments in a binder divided into subjects. In order to "pass" each 6 weeks, they had to have everything in order in that binder. If they didn't the last week was spent finding the work or redoing it. If they had it done, they got to watch movies, use computers etc. Oh, to have him in that kind of high school. I really don't know why these teachers don't use assignment lists because it makes it easier on both the student and the teacher, IMHO

Marsha

 

[ksjayhawks]

Does he have a binder for each class? And an assignment sheet so he can write down the work in each class?

I would email the teachers and be sure that they all know about his iep and the accomodations, especially the extended time. Attach a copy of the accomodations with the email.

Talk to the sped department about getting him a computer to use at school. If that is what he needs for his accomodation, they should provide one.

Not all the teachers may have notes to give to him. I teach and I don't have notes for every class, every day. The teacher using a smartboard is similar to writing on the board, so there probably aren't any notes.

I have had some students this year that I didn't know were on ieps until well into the school year. I wish we were told and given a copy of the accomodations, but we aren't. We are working on that for next year.