My son is on an ed-plan. I was told that part of my rights as a parent of a child with LD is that I can request any teacher in his grade that I want for him. I did that and was told that the teacher’s classroom was not an inclusion class. Additionally, there is only one out of five classes in his grade that is an inclusion class. Every child on an IEP has to be put in that class wether or not they are suited to that teacher or the rest of the class chemistry. To me that seems like a violation of his right to equality, every child who is NOT on an ed plan is placed in a classroom based on so many different factors and my child is just slotted into the inclusion class. Can that be legal?
Re: One Inclusion class per grade?
You’ve gotten my point. I do agree that I shouldn’t get to ask for a specific teacher any more than a regular ed child’s parent should. This is just what I was told. Additionally the placement process of being matched to a teacher and class make up as any regular ed child should be applied to my child. I don’t think that has happened here. He is in a classroom where 80% of the students have behavioral and social issues. As I’ve stated children spend 5 days per week with each other and develope friendships and I don’t think he needs to be exposed to that. I was told by the TEAM that if I don’t put him in the inclusion class he would not qualify for sped or an ed plan. He scored GE 13 on writing and GE 9 on reacing comprehension, but as low as GE 1.8 on spacial-intergration. He is only going to receive 30 per week OT for his intergration issues and 1.5 hours per DAY with the in class aid for language arts. Overall he tested on grade level, he is going into 6th grade. So why does he need to be in a classroom with an aide? Why can’t he be in a regular class and get the 30 minute pull out for OT. Is it true that in MA the child has to be in an inclusion class to qualify for any sped services?
what does that mean?
At the risk of sound like a moron, what the heck is “boilerplate placement”? I keep hearing this on this board and can’t find a meaning for this term. Thanks
Re: One Inclusion class per grade?
If he qualifies he qualifies- services are services- not a place. Not wanting him in a particular classroom has no effect on his eligibility. If he is scoring at grade level he does not need the specialized instruction- except for the OT. I think you are on the right track- and they are being foolish and confused- to be nice about it:)
Robin
Re: One Inclusion class per grade?
Robin, Thank you I agree. I don’t know how I can address this since school is out and what I want to do would mean a team meeting. The school principle is not at all flexable with placement at all. I suppose it can’t hurt to call with my concerns at least I’ll be on record.
Re: One Inclusion class per grade?
Send a letter- return receipt requested. You can ask for an IEP meeting before school begins- just give them your available dates and a time frame to get back to within. Copy it to your SPED Coordinator also- administrators work all year. This isn’t hardball- it is just businesslike:) Hardball is when they don’t get back to you…
Robin
Re: what does that mean?
Re Inclusion
My daughter was placed in an inclusion class for 3rd grade. We had her moved out the third 9 wks. - it was not a good situation.
I found out, through my discussions with my ESE teacher, that basically they want to put students with IEPs and accommodations, etc., in this classroom because it “facilitates their work with the ESE teacher” The more we talked the more I realized that basically what they are saying is “It makes it easier on us (the school). Well, sorry, but I’m not into easier on the school, I’m into INDIVIDUALIZED education plan. I sent a letter this year to the Vice Principle requesting the best learning environment for my daughter, a flexible, organized and positive environment that is NOT an inclusion class.
Phone Calls don't exist.
Write a letter — and include that basically your kiddo’s being discriminated against because of his disability, and *that* is illegal. Then go on to say that your child does have very unique individual needs, and provide those language skill grade levels, so the principal and teacher don’t just assume that here’s another slow learner/behavior problem/non-reader kiddo. You want to assure them that yes, your kid *can* and should function very well with this particular teacher who will provide the right combination of high expectations and understanding of his specific challenges.
I’d request a meeting with whoever’s there. If the principl is flexible with *other* kids then s/he should be flexible with yours. Frankly it sounds like your kiddo would get eaten alive in the “inclusion” class — and that the school folks need to get educated so they understand that inclusion means *inclusion,* not segregation.
Re: One Inclusion class per grade?
Your school system is being dishonest. Inclusion means that special ed kids are included with all other kids. What you have is a special ed class without the funding and support for special ed. This is worth fighting, but you’ll have a hard job. Good luck.
Well- I don’t think you have the right to request any teacher you want anymore than the parents of nondisabled students- that isn’t a piece of the law. You do have the right to have your child educated in the least restrictive environment (FAPE). If that isn’t the inclusion class then it isn’t- and you can certainly request that she not be placed there. IEP means INDIVIDUAL Education plan- not a boilerplate placement made for sceduling reasons…
Robin