Ever fear your kid will be expelled??

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
Ever fear your kid will be expelled??
5
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 1:07pm

Yeah, I know, we all have IEPs. There are behavior plans. There is medication. But, do you ever fear that your child will be expelled despite all of your efforts?

I read a scary statistic. 38% of the kids expelled in my school district are disabled. I do not know the average age of expulsion, but I was told when my son started kindergarten that some of his offenses would warrent expulsion (if he were older)...he was making bizarre statements at school and this was before his placement change and IEP.

Even with the IEP, it's been a rocky road. Lots of run-in's with school administration.




Edited 10/2/2006 1:09 pm ET by fivesense
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-20-2006
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 3:35pm

I felt like this all the time when Steven was in regular school. Every note or every call, I would just cry as I went to the "talk" with the teacher or headmaster. I was so scared at what would happen if he was expelled.

With this new homeschool program, I do not have to worry "much" for expulsion. It still lingers in the back of my mind the "what if", but I try to go on.

I think with our children we can never stop worrying about "what if's". This is our lot in life. I know it is mine. I have bad nerves from all of this. Some days it is more than one person can take. I just want to scream sometimes why did this happen to me. Why can't I have a normal child with normal problem instead of one who has visits to psyches, meds, and walking on glass on a bad day to keep a meltdown from happening.

Do not get my wrong, I love my son more than anything. I am grateful to have a healthy son instead of someone with severe health problems. There are just them days that really bring you down. Right now we are at a high point due to the Little Mermaid coming out tomorrow. Steven wants it more than anything, and he is willing to do almost anything to get it. This means very good behavior and doing all chores with no problem.

I have rambled off topic enough yet again.

Hugs,

Kari

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 4:05pm

Please tell me more about the homeschool program. I actually posted a question on the homeschooling board this morning.

After I wrote my original post on this board, I got a call from the school to come pick up the boy. He has been suspended for 2 days. He was suspended for 2 days last week as well.

I have a huge IEP meeting this Friday. This will lead to a placement change, which I'm all for. But, if there are problems there, then there aren't that many more options available to us.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 6:04pm

OMG! That is just legally WRONG!!!!

They cannot expell a child with a disability if the problems are a manifestation of his disability. That is IDEA 101. They are entitled to a "Free Appropriate Public Education" in the "Least Restrictive Environment".

Check with Steph at the IEP board, I know this has changed some with the new IDEA but not much. However, a child on an IEP if he is suspended more than a total of 10 days then a manifestion determination meeting MUST be held. A manifestation determination prior to the 10 days may be held as well but it is not mandated.

A manifestion determination meeting is to determine if the behaviors which led to suspension are a manifestation of his disability. If so then a plan must be made for him to be more successful in school. Typically a behavior support plan is written and often the child is referred for a FBA (Functional Behavioral Assessment) and BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan). This is a step way above the usual behavior support plan though they are often quite successful some kids need more.

No don't fear my son being expelled because we have already determined his behaviors are a manifestion of his disability and if a future school ever tried I would make one monster stink and not let it happen.

However, for emergencies they CAN suspend for safety for a short period and they can also change placement for up to 45 days for safety. So while they can't deny him an education they could place him elsewhere. That is part of the new IDEA.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 7:51pm

Renee took the words out of my mouth. I have no fear of expulsion because the IEP's list the behavior problems as part of the Dx. And if they ever attempted to expell one of my children...well, let's just say that this district is soooo far out of compliance with 90% of the IDEA basics, I'd end up owning every school in the district! ROFLMBO Honestly, it's one of the reasons why I don't always tell them that they're out of compliance. It may be awful, but I like having the information in my back pocket. I've used it against them before, and it's always worked to my advantage.

The way I see it, the district has the upper hand on most things that relate to my children. So any chance I get, I file non-compliance information in my brain to pull out when needed. :-)

Amy
(who may indeed be evil...but considers it all part of being a spec. needs mom)

Meez 3D avatar avatars games

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 8:13pm
I do know the legal stuff. It's still a fear of mine. My son is almost 8. If he's still aggressive in high school, geez, I don't know what we'll do.