Update on probable 2nd grade retention
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| Fri, 05-18-2007 - 9:51pm |
Hey all. I had that meeting with the ASD agency today. I met with both their educational and advocacy consultants. They looked over Sam's IEP and found it really lacking in specifics and I feel like a complete loser for not knowing what the I am doing. I was so worried about his social/emotional needs because of the horrible year that we had last year that I really did ignore the academic side. He has made so much improvement since last year, but he is still a year behind and struggles with some basic math problems.
They both agreed that retaining Sam in 2nd would be a good short term solution to getting him caught up. But that it was obvious that the reading program they are supposedly using with him in school is not cutting it. It was supposed to have been Project READ, but apparently got switched in the middle of the year. And neither the teacher nor the para were trained in Project READ when school began....the whole year I've felt uneasy about something. Sam's teacher kept telling me that he is doing fine, making progress...etc... But he's soooo tired when he gets home.
So I'm requesting a meeting to revise his current IEP...school here is still another 3-4 weeks. They strongly suggested that something be in place when school starts next year. I'm so nervous. I fully intend on stating what needs to be done as fact, not opinion this time. And have no intention on signing an IEP without specifics. I'm still freaked that I'm going to screw up or forget something and that I'll look like I don't really know what I'm talking about because mostly I don't! I'm not a teacher, I don't have expertise in dyslexia - Heck I was reading before I even got to Kindy. I feel stuck because we live in a poor district and we don't have the funds for a lawyer or advocate. And these people just don't want to do *anything* extra.
At least I have the evals. The advocacy consult. says that's all I need if it goes to mediation. I have proof. And I'm not asking for anything huge.
Wish me luck...
Chrystee


Oh man Chrystee, I am sorry about that. I hope you get to the bottom of it and find a reading program that works for him.
It sounds so stressful for you. I hope you get something set up before the end of the year.
Renee
I just had my two kids' first IEP meetings this week, tho' it looks like we're going for a 504 instead (which I'm fine with and agree with). One thing I've learned on this board that's been very helpful to me is that you can request a new IEP meeting whenever you want. The school actually even told me that when we were in our meeting, so if after signing your IEP, you think it needs changes, you have every right to call another meeting.
I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing, but I felt so much better knowing that I didn't have to get it right the first time (or 2nd time, or 3rd time...)!