As an LD “tutor” in a middle school(although I am a certified teacher with a Master’s Degree), I assist my 7th grade special ed. students in the reg. ed. classroom. Because I am responsible for writing and implementing their IEP’s and I am unable to be in all of their classes, I am running into the problem of reg. ed. teachers not modifying assignments. I have given out easy charts, lists etc. with ways to modify, modified hw/cw assignments myself, but when I’m not there- it’s not done. To me, it’s common sense. Why give the student an assignment that is inappropriate? Why set them up for failure? You would think a teacher with 20 years of experience would not have to be spoon-fed this information. Part of this problem stems from the lack of tolerance in my school for studets who learn differently from reg. ed. students. At a meeting next week, I will be taking more of the legal stance that accomodations must be made, or teachers will be held liable.
Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thank you-
Re: Reg. Ed. Teachers/Lack of Modifying
Good for you, it would be so nice to have someone like you in my son’s school.. I get so tired of going to meetings and everyone being afraid to say anything, for fear of offending another teacher. You are a good advocate and deserve a pat on the back!
Re: Reg. Ed. Teachers/Lack of Modifying
you have a legitimate problem. Having been trained as a general ed. teacher and later a spec. ed., I can see both sides. I don’t think many general ed teachers are aware of the struggle that LD students encounter. Perhaps at your meeting you could do a few activities such as: have them write w/ their wrong hand; write words backwards; run words together or write them phonetically..you could also read directions very fast or give them an exceedingly long assignment. This might get them to understand…then bring up the legal issue. You don’t have any administrative support? Good luck…been there and sometimes we still are.
Re: Reg. Ed. Teachers/Lack of Modifying
Have your school order the video “Fat City” by Rick Lavoie and then have the principal mandate that all teahers must watch it. As a parent of two boys with leraning disabilities, I believe that this tape should be mandatory for all general education teachers.
The video places teachers in an “LD” environment and gives them a first hand view of what these students go through every day. Any teacher that is not substantially affected by this tape does not belong in a classroom.
Re: Reg. Ed. Teachers/Lack of Modifying
The video “Fat City” is terrific. I agree, all teachers should be made to watch it - at the beginning of each school year!
I’m wondering if you are in a private school? My 7th grade son is in a private school and I run into the same type of problem with some of the teachers. I’m also curious what type of modifications you are requesting. My son is inundated with history homework - I’d love some thoughts on how to lighten the load and still learn something.
Hang in there! The fact of the matter is, it is ILLEGAL for them to not provide the necessary modification for their students to succeed. Sometimes, just a gentle reminder that they are breaking the law will do it. I realize this is stating the obvious, but sometimes it’s the obvious that needs to be stated.