SUMMERTIME
SUMMERTIME
School's out...time to take
a deep breath and try to forget the turmoil of the past school year. Begin
again in the fall to "fix" those problems. Right?
Perhaps you have had a hard and frustrating year trying to get an appropriate IEP for your child...maybe just trying to get the school to do what the IEP says, or even just figuring out that there are federal laws in which to help your child only to find out he/she won't have their evaluation completed until the next school year! ...Start the next year in the same shape we ended this year! YIKES!
OK, I'll concede everyone needs a break. Besides, what are the chances of getting anything accomplished during the summer break?
As an advocate, I struggle every year knowing many kids are going to return to school in the fall without an appropriate IEP or 504 Plan. Their year is simply going to begin badly and time will pass quickly without corrections being made. Every year I hear parents say, "we would love for you to get involved, BUT school's about to end and we'll call you after it starts." Stand in line folks, there's many ahead of your child and don't be surprised by the delays!
What I strive to get parent's to do is become proactive. Give me a call over the summer months (they're really not that long you know) and tell me of the concerns you had for your child in school. Tell me if your child hasn't been "identified" for services. Tell me anything that bothers you about the education your child received!
Even if things went well, allow me to put it to the test. Take your child's IEP or 504 Plan and allow someone who doesn't know your child to read it. Then, have them pretend to be his/her teacher. From the "plan", ask them what they would do for your child. You don't understand?...You look at it!...it's generic...so generalized that even you who attended the committee meetings are shocked by how unspecified everything seems!
Summer is an ideal time for you to send me your child's IEP/504. I review it and suggest revisions that are specific and unique for your child's success in school. Then...start your new school year with a specific plan!
OK, still not sure what I mean? Let's say your child has ADHD. Your child has reading comprehension and perhaps writing difficulties. Thus, he/she probably doesn't test well...right? Ok, take a look at the present plan, is there any specifics on testing? Yes, yes...there it is...he/she will have extended time! Are you happy with that? How much time is "extended?" Wait a minute!...has is "extended time" going to help a child who is having problems with reading and writing? I KNOW, I, KNOW (my arm raised excitedly above my head), IT DOESN'T! Your child is an auditory processor. He/she hers instructions better than reading them. Rather than extending time, how about this? The plan should read: allow the student to take the test with the rest of the class. Before the class is over, have the students test graded and in a most discreet manner, orally ask the questions missed or not completed and grade accordingly. THIS my friends is a specific accommodation that will help your child. OF course!...this is merely one of hundreds. Does your IEP get this specific?...I thought not. Send it to me and I'll take a look and give some suggestions.