To make a long story short, I pulled my son out of school last year. He was in the 2ng grade and doing poorly without meds and the teacher was worthless. Fast forward, homeschooling didn't go well. Son seems to understand the curriculum, but not performing as he should. I went ahead and enrolled him in the 3rd grade.
A month into the school year and I get a call from the principal. They claim my son is WAY behind in his studies (I am sure they concluded this was because of my homeschooling him). They told me I could choose to keep my son in 3rd grade, but he would be retained so it was in his best interest to send him back to 2nd.
I was told that he would be "assessed" once he was settled into his new class. Well, I just emailed the teacher and she wrote back that he is above average and does not qualify for services in math. This same school had the OT evaluate him last year for poor handwriting which he also did not quailfy for services. How the heck is it that this child does so poorly at school, yet somehow does not qualify for any services?
I am beyond angry and deeply confused and I don't know what to do. I just dashed off an e-mail to his teacher asking her what he WOULD qualify for and asking her why he was held back when he is clearly capable of doing the work.
Tell me how is it that a child that is above average should have to repeat a grade?? Any help in dealing with the school would be appreciated.
Michele
Have a neuropsych evaluation done. Request academic testing, IQ testing and testing for any LD's. Get it all out there, then meet with school. This'll take time, but at least he isn't falling further behind while they do it. Request everything in writing and hand deliver it. They have 45 days (school days). Once you get the results in hand you will know where he stands. What grade level he is at academically, where he falls IQ-wise and what if any LD's are there. May as well get social emotional eval too if they'll do it. In your reasons for request state ALL your concerns. Handwriting, and any social and academic concerns you have. You need documentation and if they are bringing conerns to you (moving him back a grade is BIG concern) then they need to test and find out why and wehre he is to ensure proper placement, accomodations and/or services (include that in your letter).I suggest you hire an attorney specializing in educational issues. I did that once, and boy, did that make a difference. I paid around 800 dollars, but was worth every cent. She requested an IEP meeting, a "functional behavioral assessment" of my child in the classroom, which was followed by an "intensive behavioral intervention plan", OT once a week (or something like that), and tons of acommodations he needed (extra time in tests, preferential seating, etc.). Since then, life is beautiful at school most of the time. It scared the living daylights out of the school to see me bring an "advocate", and things turned around in a matter of days.
Good advise above.
Jessica N39908.4052893519Also head to wrightslaw.com for more info on your son's legal rights to an education:
I just wanted to add a couple suggestions: In your letter to the school, make sure that you put that it is your "request" AND "consent" to do the testing. Scroll down to see the tests I was told to request. I believe (The school has 60 days to evaluate AFTER your concent ). It should help speed the testing up. ALSO, make sure to deliver to the Principal, your childs guidance counselor, any ESE teacher (if applicable) and your childs teacher(s).
Also, call the school board and see of they know of an Advocate or see if you have a local CHADD group, they should know of someone if they can't so it themselves.
This letter is my request and consent for a full evaluation of childs name to include but not limited to;
Social history
Academic fluency
Processing
Full scale IQ
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Speech and language
Social behavior
Autism rating scales
Conners / behavior
Special education for reading and writing remediation
Good luck and I wish you the best. If anyone has any other suggestions, please post!