OT Question for teachers

[5 for WDW]

I apologize ahead of time for rambling. I just need someone else's opinion about this.
My son is in 6th grade. He switches classes for two periods. Math and Science. The rest of his classes are with his homeroom teacher.
All three teachers are men and are completely different in their methods of teaching, testing, etc.
My son is not a strong Math student, at all. Poor kid takes after me. He is an A and B student across the board, with the exception of Math.
We have had a few organization issues with DS over the years. He has a 504 plan in effect for that. Someone checks his agenda each day after school to make sure he has his assignments written down completely and that he is bringing home the correct materials. Long story short, we have had a few issues with his Math teacher since the beginning of the year in regards to this issue. We still have a good relationship with the teacher but, we have not agreed with certain things since day 1.
DS came home with a schedule of make up tests for the next week last night. Half of the class (my son being one) did very poorly on two Math tests and the teacher is giving mandatory make ups. The first one was this morning at 8:10am and the next one is for the second quiz. That will be tomorrow during study hall.
I have to be at work at 7:30 so, my husband drives the kids to school. He left early to take DS to school for the test and ran back home to get the other two ready to go.
When he picked up the kids after school today my son told him that he did not take the quiz. When my husband asked him why, he told him that his teacher told him he was not giving the make up today because it was raining confused: ) and some kids did not make it. There were 5 other kids that showed up to take the test. He told them they would have to come back on Thursday at 8:10 to make up the test. School does not start until 8:30 so, when my husband asked my son what he did for 20 minutes he said he just walked around the school. That is not a big deal but, why on earth did the teacher not give the kids that were there the test??
He also never contacted anyone to tell them that he was not giving the make up today. This teacher is very much his way or no way. He does not like to be called out on things but, we really do not think this was the right thing to do. We really feel he should have given the make up to the kids that were there.
My husband tried to call him this afternoon right after he got to his car. The teacher was still there, the secretary said he was. We have not heard back from him yet. If he stays true to form from the beginning of the year, we won't hear from him.
What should we do next, if anything? Are we wrong to be annoyed about this??
I really appreciate any thoughts!

 

[shaunaday]

As an elementary school teacher, I cannot really relate to this situation from a teacher's perspective. As a mom of a middle school aged child, I can tell you that I would do everything possible to have a conference with this teacher. I mean, I am very supportive of my children's teachers (afterall, I am one and know that sometimes there is a breakdown on communication between home and school and it's often no one's fault), but there is a safety issue that concerns me about this particular scenario.

If you can't get him to reply to you, you may have to contact the administrator about scheduling a conference. I know that this seems like common sense but just try to remember that you go in to the conference with the mindset that the teacher is a "team member" in your child's education. If your son's teacher thinks you see him as the "enemy", he will be more defensive and your conference will be less effective.

Good luck!

 

[NiftyJ88]

I teach high school, and even so, I could never get away with a mandatory make-up test unless I did it during class (which I have done). I think that was entirely unreasonable to start. Next, I would only give a make-up test after re-teaching the concepts. When I have so many students who do poorly on a test, it is MY fault for not teaching it better. If I have one or two who fail, that's probably poor study skills, but half of the class, is totally on me.
I'm not one to go to administration for anything, but if you can't reach the teacher, that's where you need to go to get answers.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

I am a former middle school special ed teacher, so I would love to share my opinion.

First it seems like you are having issues with this teacher regarding your DS' 504 and this quiz is just another page in the book of a teacher working in his own manner.

My guess is that you are not going to change him or his "habits." This is unfortunate because I am sure it is not only your son who is have issues with this teacher, especially if working with an IEP. Many general education teachers have minimal to no experience working with factors attatched to students beyond the actual teaching of the subject matter. Does your son have a special education representative/teacher that is supposed to work with the general ed teacher on behalf of you son? I am thinking that with a 504 he may not, but if he does speak to him/her about your concerns regarding your son's plan and how it is being followed...it is a legal document.

Your best bet is to list/document these experiences that you have had. If your son is having an IEP meeting soon bring them up at the meeting in a general, non-confrontational manner (if attempts at conferencing with the teacher have not been successful). If no meeting is scheduled your school should have a special education liason (not that your son is SpEd, but the liason usually schedules IEP meetings and is there as a mediator) who can schedule a conference between you and the teacher OR call a full IEP meeting with ALL team members.
Is a change in teachers an option? If your son is up to moving classes and leaving friends.
Otherwise you may just have to deal until next year.

 

[5 for WDW]

Thanks so much for your replies. We are going to wait and see what tomorrrow brings in regards to a phone call. If we do not have any response from the teacher, we will have to consider talking to the Principal.
We do try to keep very good lines of communication open with our kids teachers. We know how important that is, especially having a child that is struggling with a subject. We keep most of our concerns to ourselves and only discuss what is truly important with the teacher. Thanks again!

ilandrazdsw, thanks for your input. We were having issues in regards to my son's 504 plan but, those have been addressed. We did call a full meeting before the Xmas break just to make sure everyone was on the same page. It was a very productive meeting and I think it helped for the teachers to really get an understanding of what our son's difficulty is.
This teacher is the only Math teacher for the grade. Changing teachers is not an option Unfortunately, my son is not the only one having issues with this teacher. The problem with the test this am was not just an issue that affected my son, it affected a handful of kids.
I really appreciate your input.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Good to hear that you had a successful team meeting...we need more parents like you !

Apparently this teacher is just one of those people that allows you to learn/practice lessons of patience.

 

[5 for WDW]

Good to hear that you had a successful team meeting...we need more parents like you !

Thanks for that! I sometimes feel like we are the bad guys. I appreciate it.

 

[richmond282]

I agree that it is unreasonable for the teacher to make kids wait to take thier make-up test just b/c others aren't there. I also think it's unresonable for him to require students (who don't drive) to come in early to make up a test. What if they ride the bus and don't have another way to school? Is the teacher just going to give those kids an F?

I think wating a day or so for a return phone call is appropriate. (I'm a teacher and I don't always get to return calls immediately.) But if the guy doesn't return your call, then I think you need to talk to your school administrator.

First mention that you tried to call the teacher and he did not return your call. Then explain the situation w/ bringing your son early for a test and so on and so forth. It is totally a safety issue that your son was allowed to roam around the school instead of taking the test. The teacher should have at least kept those kids in his room and monitored them since they were his responsiblity.