update on IEP meeting for Grant...

[trek]

1) Well they added back math resource instead of inclusive/collaborative. I have only been trying to get this since end of 2nd grade-Grant is now in 5th and failing 1st quarter math. Gotta love 30% on math benchmark when 50 something is meeting the standard.

2) They did not move Grant into Resource room for reading or writing despite 1 and 2s on his report card 1st quarter and a drop in his reading fluency. The reg.ed teacher his advocate it is the Resource teacher who does not understand IDEA.They did add some reading goal but that is not enough will have to deal with it again in December if he is still needing teacher guidance to complete anything involving reading/writing.

3) The school is trying to put behavior plan in place-Grant is exhibiting some disturbing behavior at school along with verbal perservation. I think a formal FBA might be needed if things continue-breaking school property, defiance, not following rules.

4) Grant actually attended part of the meeting. I had shared a letter Grant wrote (they ignored the one he wrote last year) and they called him in-he did GREAT

5)There is still bullying/teasing going on and the Resource teacher's comments have me concerned. Grant could not go to sleep last night-he kept saying "so and so said that NOBODY cares about me" and he kept verbally listing who did care. My heart breaks as none of his peers can stand him since he repeats things over and over.

**** What the county does not get that is is OKAY to move a child back from inclusion to resource or even self-contained if that is the child's LRE and the child is NOT receiving FAPE and/or affecting the other student's ability to receive FAPE. On tape the Resource clearly says she is concerned that he is moving backwards but if that is what is appropriate for GRANT than do it. Especially when parental concern and now grades,etc point to issues with current placement. **

Wanted to add that they are going to try out metronome therapy-the county just purchased program and trained some professional in it and it worth a try.

[angeleena]

What is the resource's problem?
Why can't he go there for reading?

Why would they not take him for academics- reading - into the resource to do one on one with him? Isn't that what most schools do? I am surprised the reg ed teacher does not insist. Here the reg ed teachers only want kids that go with the flow and do not distract anyone or else they are moved to resource.

I am beginning to think we are lucky to live in Oregon. I thought the schools were bad here, but I keep hearing horror stories like this from other states.

My heart is breaking reading your posting. Not only are the teachers failing him, but his classmates are hurting him. omg. I got tears in my eyes over what you said....
"...he kept saying "so and so said that NOBODY cares about me" and he kept verbally listing who did care. My heart breaks as none of his peers can stand him since he repeats things over and over."

Is there any treatment for that?
What is metronome therapy?

Sorry you guys are dealing with such challenging stuff. YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB ADVOCATING FOR HIM!

YAY FOR GRANT FOR SHARING HIS FEELINGS!!!!!!!!!!

angi

[trek]

I know I am not alone in my county-most who receive appropriate services have hired an attorney.

I wonder why and will probably do Prior Written Notice as I have not only testing from benchmark but a sample of his work and classroom testing. They are blaming Grant-oh yes on tape I have "well I think he is doing poorly on purpose" from Resource teacher. Reg. Ed teacher has concerns-but her hands are tied Not only that Reg. Ed teacher on tape wonders how come Grant scores HIGHER on testing in Resource Teacher's room than in her room. want to know why-

Because Resource teacher will have Grant take 3+ times in order to show mastery. This has been going on for awhile. Some may recall when I posted about her deleting Accelerated Reader scores.

No on answered when I asked is something not wrong for a 5th grader in inclusion reading to not obtain close to what they expect for AR quiz average. Also, no one answered when I questioned about whether or not a child in 5th grade inclusion class should be able to read a book independently.

The more I write the more I think consulting with an attorney might be a good idea. They are set to push Grant through to 6th grade with only the current support and that will not happen it is not FAPE/LRE for HIM!!!

From guidance counselor today after sending an email"
"
Good Afternoon,

The following will be put in place to help Grant:
1.If a student bothers Grant he must inform Mrs. S(reg.ed) or Mrs. G(Resource) immediately.
2.The teacher will discuss the issue/concern with the student and remind him/her of the conversation they had with Mrs. G.
3.If it continues with the same student or the teacher deems appropriate, I will review bullying information and kindness with the student.
4.If it continues with the same student it will become a discipline issue and Mrs. O or Mrs. N will issue consequences to the student.

Sincerely,"

[BriNJ]

Ive started to post 5 times now and keep deleting it. Im not sure what to say- and Im just so angry with your school. They spend more time and effort avoiding helping Grant then it would take to do what he needs. I just dont get it.

I do have some ideas about the repeating... if you want, I'll post a plan I have about dealing with that type of behavior.

About the other kids, my heart breaks for Grant. Im sorry that its so awful for him- and the teacher and the counselor need to be more proactive. 5th grade is hard and its where you start to see a big division between typically social children and those were are struggling. Its like there is a huge jump in communication at the end of 4th grade. We've seen it happen here with some kids suffering as a result.

Im glad that he'll get resource for one subject but honestly, I wish they'd figure it out and just help him. Im sorry that they wont.

[Troy]

Question: They seem to be fixated on the notion that he might have "regressed." Is this something they are measured on? As I recall, you live in a state that is somewhat obsessed with ranking schools via standardized testing. Like the others, I don't get why they would not put him in the setting that seems best for him, and I wonder that they might have some kind of ulterior or unspoken motive. Usually, the motive is cost, but here, it seems like it's something else. I would hire an attorney at this point. Grant is almost out of elementary school. It's not going to get better.

[trek]

I did speak with an attorney but will wait until November to actually have a consultation with her. Anyway, they are supposed to provide me with behavior plan to try at home/school. I really feel the regular ed teacher is caring and has same concerns-it is from above. I did manage to FINALLY after 3 years get a set of books for home so we are not dealing with that issue-even with buddy things were left daily. Now Grant can focus on workbooks and folders, agenda. We can also review if needed!

On a positive note he finally scored above an 80 on a 4th grade level AR quiz I am unsure of where he took the test-if it was with the Resource teacher I am not sure if it was independent or not. Will find out more later.

Slowly we will get an appropriate IEP for Grant. This is the year I refuse to let things go-show me why our concerns are NOT valid in writing is my slant.

Thanks for being supportive.

[angeleena]

yay for grant on his AR quiz!!! great news!!!

[mckenziecat]

Just wanted to say I'm so sorry for all

you've been through and send some hugs. You are doing the right thing, so keep going. Fwiw, I know multiple moms who got to middle school and were so worried about iep issues and found that the middle schools were actually much easier to work with. I hope that happens for you guys.
hugs,
beth

[mickey2]

wow, i didtnt realize they still hadnt provided extra books to keep at home. we always requested these with teacher at open house and iep team leader via in person. then followed up by email the next day stated his right to the extra set as outlined in his iep and we expected them by the end of the week. if this was not possible, we wanted in writing why his iep was not being followed.

i like paper trails, and they knew it...so we always had the books by the first week even if reg ed students had to share or go without. which is bad but i have to look out for my kids b/c the schools dont seem to care in most cases. hugs and keep me posted!!