Why can't they just trust the IEP?

[mom2boys]

School hasn't even started & already the teachers & principal are questioning my boys' IEPs. The principal was in on both IEPs from the start. Maybe I am missing something. Both leave class 3x per week for individualized reading instruction which is paid for entirely by DH & I. The teachers are not required to do anything other than let the child leave the room. I get the distint impression that my youngest's teacher doesn't want to deal with him. His behavior can occassionally be disruptive but I don't think 1 trip to VP in 2 years constitutes a major problem. (He said "damn" in the lunch room & his friend proceeded to spell it.) Every year it's a major ordeal getting the teachers to support with the reading instructor. After a month or so they see that she really is a)necessary b)not a threat c)working wonders with my boys. I am so frustrated & upset already & school doesn't start until Monday. School is hard enough for my boys without having them having the teacher resent them before they even get to know them.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

I feel for you.... I have experienced the same problem, only at the other end of the spectrum.

We arrange accelerated activities and advanced classes for our boys, and the classroom teachers don't like it. They even tell us that to our face!

I would think that in either of our situations, the pull-out would be a positive, not a negative!!!!

 

[TigerBear]

I'm sorry you are finding difficulty working with the school when you obviously just want what is in your son's best interest. I'm curious though - Is this reading instruction time actually written into his IEP or is this a supplemental service that you as a parent have decided is best for him? This instructor is a non-school personnel? How much class time is he missing and what class is he missing? I'm assuming your son still receives reading instruction at school for which he recieves a "grade"??

 

[mom2boys]

Both boys have dsylexia. They are young 2nd & 3rd grade. They miss 50 minutes of class time 3x per week. They attend Catholic school. To put them in our local public school "dyslexia project" would mean they would have to start over. Our oldest is 2 years into a 3 year program. As to which class they are missing, we all hope Spanish is one & the other two are up for serious debate. Lat year they did miss some language arts. However, their time with the reading instructor is much more valuable to them then their time in a class that moves too quickly for them. Both have tested "bright normal" as far as intelligence and have no trouble keeping up with the other students in all other subjects. The grading falls under the LA category & the reading instructor did provide the grades for my oldest his first year. Last year both boys recieved their grades from their classroom teachers.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

yeah - That kind of Sucks!

Stand firm on the IEP, they really can be a parent's best friend.

Our annual review is coming up in October and I'm afraid that I might have to hire a private Reading Tutor for my son. The Special Ed department was threatening to drop him last year because he had made so much progress he was actually reading above grade level by the end of the year.

 

[nativetxn]

{{{Hugs}}} sweetie, this sounds like a frustrating situation for you. Stick to your guns and the IEP. In Michigan they have to follow the IEP. Good luck with this.

 

[TigerBear]

Mom2boys, so your boys attend Catholic School but are pulled out to the public school for reading instruction? In Texas, kids can no longer be dually enrolled - meaning the school district is obligated to provide a plan of instruction for children with disabilities, but the parent is only able to take advantage of the plan if the student is enrolled in public school full-time. But, if your son is dually-enrolled, why are you having to pay for the instructor? Or did I misunderstand?

Toby'sFriend, if your son no longer has educational need, that is a good thing! Special education services are only for children with disabilites who have educational need. If the school wants to exit your child from special education, I would encourage you to request an individual psychoeducational assessment to ascertain your child's true level of functioning. If your child no longer meets eligibilty requirements for having a disability, it is time to rejoice because it means, for once, special education has worked!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

If your child no longer meets eligibilty requirements for having a disability, it is time to rejoice because it means, for once, special education has worked!

Oh well - unfortunately his disability - which is profound hearing loss in his left ear - is not cured. Which makes me afraid that dropping the Reading Tutor will just lead him to fall behind again.

 

[TigerBear]

Ah, I understand. When you said they will drop him, do you mean from special ed all together or from a pull-out reading program?

 

[janette]

My 2nd grader attends public school and they do pull-out for special reading. She goes during Language Arts since that is where the class is so far ahead of her. The only times last year it was a little disruptive was if her teacher asked her to go other than her scheduled times she sometimes balked. I think it would be more disruptive to have her try to participate in a class that is beyond her level. This has really worked well, I hope the teachers come around quickly.

 

[Lucky4me]

Why don't you send a little note to their teachers on the first day explaining exactly what this tutoring has done for the boys and how much you appreciate their cooperation? Throw in some homebaked cookies with the note and you'll be their new best friend!

OT: They are teaching Spanish in 2nd grade? Wow. I know that kids are capable of learning that young but we start foreign language here in 7th grade. We must be behind the times, huh?

 

[mom2boys]

The private reading teacher is paid in full by DH & myself. The public school system does not pay for it. We pay taxes, pay Catholic school tuition AND private tutor. Believe me we pay plenty.

Janette is absolutely correct. It is best for them not to be exposed to the LA classes with the rest of their class because of the confusion/frustration they can experience.

Spanish is only 1x per week & lasts only45 minutes. My 7 & 8 year don't retain much of it from week to week. Going into 2nd grade my oldest insisted that the Spanish teacher's name was "Hola" because they always started class with Hola Senora.

I think my youngest's teacher was hoping we'd pull them from the Catholic school & then he wouldn't be her problem. TOO BAD, they will have to be explicit in that request & they know better.

 

[TigerBear]

What a cute comment your son made! When you used the words IEP I thought you were referring to a special education IEP, which is a legal document that must be followed by public schools. I really hope that your son's school becomes supportive of your desire to provide the best education for your son.

 

[gepetto]

Why would they complain? It's your dime.... Good luck.

 

[Pin Wizard]

What's an IEP??

 

[janette]

Individualized Education Program

It's used for children who qualify for specialized education programs or services. In public schools it is mandatory for schools to follow it.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Thanks!

 

[mom2boys]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their support. I knew you guys would help me put things into perspective. I know by now that the start of school is always a challange but by the Oct, things are usually running smoothly. You can bet that I will be standing up for my boys. Their reading instructor is a strong advocate for them as well. And then we bring in the "Heavy". The "Heavy" happens to be a fiesty little old lady who will defend a child to the end. She has taken on (& overcome) some of the largest & wealthiest school district in the country.