School IEP question

[janette]

My 11yo DD is having some problems in one of her classes. Not a big deal and I'm sure we can work it out but it would really be helpful if she could have a textbook at home. She is missing part of the class when she is in her special reading class for Dyslexia and so has not been keeping up very well. She gets there in time to do the worksheets but misses the lecture and in class reading. We can read the book at home but hate for her to bring it home everyday. I'm thinking this could be more of a problem next year in Middle School as there will be even more reading and we'll have to be doing much of it at home.

I asked the teacher if she could have a book for at home and got the standard "we only have 1 textbook per student". I think I'll probably just buy this book online (found it for less then $15) but thought that maybe for next year and when her IEP gets redone I can ask that it is added to her IEP that she is provided at home textbooks.

Is this something common to ask for? My understanding is I can ask for anything - doesn't mean they'll agree but won't hurt to try.

TIA!

 

[BessVa]

from my reading, that's a very common request

You know, as a team member, you can call for an IEP meeting at any time and make that request - you don't have a wait until next year

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I have only minimal experience with IEPs but more with second sets of text books. When DD was a freshman in high school she was having some back pain that was aggravated by carrying her heavy books. She got a set for home and one for school. I can't believe your school has exactly the number of books as students that there isn't one to have at home. I would definitely ask to have it added to the IEP.

 

[mom2boys]

My youngest is pulled for his dyslexia class as was his brother. In our district, students cannot be held responsible for classwork during their dyslexia time. Additionally, the teachers cannot present new material. They all understand and adhere to that. Check with the dyslexia teacher - she probably has a good understanding of what can or cannot be done in the class room when students are with her.

 

[lewdyan1]

Both of my children ae currently on IEP's and yes we have home copies of textbooks written in as accomodations! I highly suggest it!

 

[ToriLammy]

My daughter always had an extra set of text books for each class, at home because of her wheelchair from Middle school all the way through HS, it was in her IEP. Have it added to your daughter's IEP and they will find the books she needs somewhere.

 

[callahanjulie10]

You can definately get textbooks with either an IEP or a 504. I would insist on texts, it will be a huge help for her and you. You might want to check with the district office and see if you can get texts from the warehouse for no charge. Unless they have brand new books, this should work until you get the IEP taken care of.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I am a sped teacher and the answer to your question is YES, YES, YES. Furthermore do not buy the book online. Ask that the team be reconveined and tell them you want to amend her ed plan to include this accomodation.
They will hate to do all the paper work so they will just give in but if they do not then tell call a meeting and tell them what you want. If someone in my district caused that a meeting be reconveined just for something so stupid as giving a kid an extra text book heads would roll. When you meet tell them you want an entire SET of books for at home use. Sure she gets pulled at a certain time but that does not mean that the content being taught could not be changed and then you would have to go through this all over again. Would that all the requests for an IEP be so easy.

I find it very ironic that you live in one of the two states that controls what goes into the make up of textbooks(the other is California) b/c they are the largest customer (so in effect history and science is written from a "TEXAS/ California" point of view) and your child has to fight to get an extra set at home.

 

[aprilgail2]

When Matt went back to school after his tansplant he couldn't carry a lot and all we did was ask for a second set of books and they gave him them. Now they give most every kid in school a second set since there are to many of them to carry back and forth and it would be to heavy for the kids to do.

 

[LBAK]

My DD always had a set of text books for home. She has dyslexia and also had a laptop for taking notes. She could type much quicker then write. Her SPED teacher also pulled her out of class during a time when she wouldn't miss anything crucial. This was all provided by the district after much insisting by me. They didn't want to do any more then they actually had to. How sad for our kids!

 

[JulieWent]

I am a sped teacher and the answer to your question is YES, YES, YES. Furthermore do not buy the book online. Ask that the team be reconveined and tell them you want to amend her ed plan to include this accomodation.
They will hate to do all the paper work so they will just give in but if they do not then tell call a meeting and tell them what you want. If someone in my district caused that a meeting be reconveined just for something so stupid as giving a kid an extra text book heads would roll. When you meet tell them you want an entire SET of books for at home use. Sure she gets pulled at a certain time but that does not mean that the content being taught could not be changed and then you would have to go through this all over again. Would that all the requests for an IEP be so easy.

I find it very ironic that you live in one of the two states that controls what goes into the make up of textbooks(the other is California) b/c they are the largest customer (so in effect history and science is written from a "TEXAS/ California" point of view) and your child has to fight to get an extra set at home.

You might also want to ask the IEP committee to help you help your child deal with the problem of "make up" work. A child's resource class or extra help should not be set up so that it makes work in his or her other classes more of a burden.

Julie

 

[janette]

Thanks all, I'm sure the answer was the standard one the teacher gives for someone that asks. I've asked for a conference and sounds like I should have no problem getting the extra books. I'll either ask for a new IEP or that it be amended if that's what I have to do. I'll get her science book too. I just think it will be so much easier to keep up with the reading that way. Wish I'd thought of it last year, it will be more important for next year because in Middle school she'll have all different teachers and be harder to keep up with and the reading requirements are just going to increase. It just takes her more time than the other students.

She is pulled at a time when most of her grade isn't, another issue but one that really can't be helped right now. Next year this will also be eliminated since their schedules are individual not by class.

 

[isla bonita]

Yes it is common to put it in the IEP. I would also insist this year sha alos have one. Is there not some one who could copy notes for her in class? Maybe also ask for the time to be chanhed if possible. You do not need any more problems then you are already having to deal with. Good luck. If you are still having a problem I would call the district and see what can be done. Just because the school says no that does not mean it is not her right to have access to one. Don't settle be demanding its the squeeky wheel that gets oiled.

 

[janette]

She does have an IEP I just didn't think to ask for this last year, I'll have it added even if we don't have to adjust it for this year because it will transfer to middle school with her. I want to start out with the modification there.

I do know it would be a problem to change the time of her special class & I want her in that more than the 30 minutes she misses in Social Studies. I can read the Social Studies at home but I can't do the special dyslexia program. I squeaked enough last year to get her in the program instead of the Special Ed reading program so don't want to rock that boat.

 

[Kath816]

In our school, some of the books are also available online with the proper codes and passwords assigned by the teacher. You can also ask about that. Also, teachers normally do not present new material when children are pulled for reasons such as speech, etc. OR they give the material to the "Commission" people to work on while they are out. (We're a private school.)

 

[LuvN~Travel]

For the past few years, our dd has had an extra set of books at home because of being homebound some, and because she has Scoliosis and can't carry those heavy books. So yes, they can provide an extra set.
Our biggest problem this year, however, is that they haven't provided her with an aide yet. We went over this in full last Spring, but our local Special Ed dept has a new head, and She has decided no high school students need one! She doesn't know she picked the wrong time for that. As of tomorrow night, we'll be writing to the local superintendant about it, and about the fact that for some reason no one seems able to answer a phone or return phone calls. Sheesh!
Kim

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

For the past few years, our dd has had an extra set of books at home because of being homebound some, and because she has Scoliosis and can't carry those heavy books. So yes, they can provide an extra set.
Our biggest problem this year, however, is that they haven't provided her with an aide yet. We went over this in full last Spring, but our local Special Ed dept has a new head, and She has decided no high school students need one! She doesn't know she picked the wrong time for that. As of tomorrow night, we'll be writing to the local superintendant about it, and about the fact that for some reason no one seems able to answer a phone or return phone calls. Sheesh!
Kim

Don't you just love it when they make a blanket statement like that. I know my sped director was never in a classroom or even a teacher and has unrealistic expectations and like yours jumps on any bandwagon coming down the street. All she needs is for someone to tell her something is good and she goes with it ...makes no difference what it is or whether she has thought it out.
Did you have included in the ed plan that she needs an aide ?? IF so then she gets one or you go to grieve it with the dept of Ed for your state. If it is in the iep they are in non compliance and a little call using those exact words." you are in non compliance" will send shivers down the spine of not only the super but the sped director too. If you get no satisfaction tell them you want a hearing at the state dept of ed. Trust me they will comply.