Update on retention....

Avatar for nutmegspice
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Update on retention....
1
Fri, 06-01-2007 - 4:18pm

So, we had the IEP/retention meeting yesterday. Before going in, we were convinced that we wanted to retain Sam in 2nd grade in his current inclusion class with some adjustments.

After talking to his teacher and getting his testing results in math and reading we don't think he needs to be retained. He really is pretty much grade level in math and doing well with a few accomodations. He is only 6 months behind in reading and his biggest issue with that is fluency. He can come up to speed more over the summer with the extended school year and alot of reading. He can sound things out fine, he just needs more speed with sight words. I'll be talking with the OT at the IEP meeting for next school year about visual perception exercises and perhaps a keyboarding program.

I'm not sure why his teacher wanted to keep him back. The only reason I can personally find to retain him is fear that he will not do well in a mainstream classroom. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. In talking with the school Psych. (who I like better than the last one) I realize that I haven't really given Sam credit for working so hard this year. He has really come a long way. At the end of 1st he was a full year behind in reading.....he's made so much progress this year - a whole year and a half grade level!!!

I've been seeing the post-school day Sam. I've been assuming that he's really struggling in school. But he really hasn't been. Mrs. D. says he's on task and needs very little redirection. He does get frustrated easily but not to the degree he does at home. He's talked down easily at school and goes right back to work. She's been telling me this all year, BTW, but I really didn't believe her. I'm mad at myself for not thinking he could do better. I'm not used to him doing so well at school. Now I think he might actually be able to handle a mainstream classroom with the right teacher and accomodations. The SpEd supervisor at the meeting will be getting training for his teacher. It will be in his IEP for next year; I won't sign it if it isn't. We're still nervous, but more excited now. My baby is going to 3rd grade!

He's so busy now and happier than ever. He started Karate with really great teachers. They are really positive and have worked with all kinds of kids. There's a junior black belt in the school with AS. Sam wants to take the Lego engineer class at the community college Kids summer program. I haven't decided on that one yet. He has so much going on already. I'm not used to having him in even one activity.

Deep breath....on to next school year......

Chrystee

Photobucket www.idlehand
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-28-2007
Sat, 06-02-2007 - 10:50am

That's great. Isn't it wonderful when they surprise us like that:)

Dee

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Lilypie 1st Birthday Ticker
Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker
Lilypie 6th to 18th Ticker