The mainstreaming question is back....
Find a Conversation
The mainstreaming question is back....
| Tue, 12-05-2006 - 11:24am |
OK some background:
Peter is in 3rd grade in a self contained classroom (AKA
| Tue, 12-05-2006 - 11:24am |
OK some background:
Peter is in 3rd grade in a self contained classroom (AKA
Good luck, Paula. I can certainly understand your concerns although I do wonder if Peter has the same feelings about it as you do. Kyle at that age wanted to be in the SCD class.
You are so right that they can't be throwing him into mainstream without any supports and then pull him out like its his fault or something when it doesn't work. So when you voiced you concerns did they come up with a plan? Definately get the IEP meeting and start working out a plan. Kyle's IEP's last yr talked about what some things would look like for this yr. I don't see any reason why you can't make some plans for the future. Don't feel like you have to have all the answers either. The school staff is supposed to be a team with you. You voiced your concerns, now make them give their ideas on how to address them. And after you have a plan you are comfortable with make them meet with you again about a month after he's mainstreamed to see if the plan is working. Kyle's team met monthly last yr for almost the entire yr.
Samantha, Mom to Kyle 11yrs AS & Hannah 8yrs SM
http://www.emofree.com/a/?2684
Hi there Paula,
Yup, that would concern me too! As Malcolm has never attended a school where he is any different or in any different arrangement than anyone else in the school, we have never exactly addressed these issues, so I have no sage advice.
But I feel for you. I would want to know what exactly they want him to get out of being in a mainstream classroom, esp. after your math experience...
Never ending, isn't it all? I personally am ready for a good, long coma!
xoxoxo,
Sara
I didn't realize they didn't keep him in mainstreaming this year. That rots. Ok sure, each year gets tougher but then you provide the supports and give the kid a chance. He showed he was able to do it the year before. The next year always starts with review, why not give him the opportunity. GRRR.
As far as mainstreaming now seems like they need a better plan. Sounds more like just a "gee we need to provide LRE and some mainstreaming so lets do it here" without a lot of planning. Which is sounds like you have a good plan to do.
BTW, IEP's aren't for a school year but a calendar year. I think because your IEP's are at the end of the year that is where it seems that is so but they run calendar years.
You can always just refuse to sign what you don't like and make them do the old "stay put" where he has the same IEP (with mainstreaming) until you come to an agreement. It just rots all around.
Renee
Sounds more like just a "gee we need to provide LRE and some mainstreaming so lets do it here" without a lot of planning.
Actually, I think it's worse than that. They are short of teachers, the SDC class is very small, and I think they are thinking to the future and trying break up the class to free up a teacher, aide and classroom.
This is an extremely jaundiced view of the world, I know, but the original school directory had 4 3G classes, then it came back with a "revision" down to
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Here is to good luck on what happens next. I know that the school budgets will be coming up again in May? never remember till the signs come up. It will be intersting to see how the schols present their budgets for next year. The state has been working on changing their fundings for the schools. I know my districts budget had passed for this year, did your district? Because remember, when they present the budgets they threaten what will be lost if they go austerity. Usually sports, full day kindergarten etc are the stuff put out to the public plus teacher lay offs. They forget to mention that special ed is also affected when the budget is shot down. But look at your school budget when it comes up and find out how much is allocated towards special ed.
I don't remeber if you go to your SEPTA meetings if you do then bring this up immdeitately to the group, if you don't attend meetings then it is time to start and then bring it up. It is one way to accomplish the task. Your face becomes known that way.
I have been finding that attending my local chapter has been very helpful. It is giving me face time with the people who are in charge of my districts special ed. plus each month we have a different topic with in special ed. last month they had a guest speaker who talked about Sensory Issues. Bt again I figure by going to the meetings it will help mwe in the future in case isssues come up.
Another suggestion. BOCES does have a program for Aspies. If they fail to come up with a better game plan for Peter then tell them straight out, come up wuith a better plan or you will be paying out more to send my kid to BOCES.
Rina