teacher refusal to allow a tape recorder in class

Your son’s teacher cannot do that. It is against the law.I just attended an IEP meeting for my son who is in a public high
: school. In the IEP, he will have access to a keyboard and/or tape
: recorder to tape or type lecture notes or assignment. He has
: delayed fine motor skills, tries hard to write, but the writing
: isn’t legible. One of his teachers were approached regarding the
: recorder, and the teacher said he won’t allow it. My question is,
: can he do this? Isn’t my son protected by disabilities act and if
: the IEP states he requires this technology to be independent,
: doesn’t the teacher have to comply?: Thank you,: Robyn

: I just attended an IEP meeting for my son who is in a public high
: school. In the IEP, he will have access to a keyboard and/or tape
: recorder to tape or type lecture notes or assignment. He has
: delayed fine motor skills, tries hard to write, but the writing
: isn’t legible. One of his teachers were approached regarding the
: recorder, and the teacher said he won’t allow it. My question is,
: can he do this? Isn’t my son protected by disabilities act and if
: the IEP states he requires this technology to be independent,
: doesn’t the teacher have to comply?: Thank you,: Robyn Hi Robyn, I just also attended a IEP meeting for my son and will be using a tape recorder. He is 9 years old. I didn’t have any problem wiht the acceptance. The principle was kind of apprehensive, only because she did not want him to depend on it, but they were open. I believe you have a right to do whatever is necessary to help your son achieve academically. You should review your rights and take it to a higher level, starting with the speech teacher, principle, board of education special education office, etc.

: I just attended an IEP meeting for my son who is in a public high
: school. In the IEP, he will have access to a keyboard and/or tape
: recorder to tape or type lecture notes or assignment. He has
: delayed fine motor skills, tries hard to write, but the writing
: isn’t legible. One of his teachers were approached regarding the
: recorder, and the teacher said he won’t allow it. My question is,
: can he do this? Isn’t my son protected by disabilities act and if
: the IEP states he requires this technology to be independent,
: doesn’t the teacher have to comply?: Thank you,: RobynAs a special education teacher, I will often put into my students IEP’s that they may use a tape recorder in lieu of taking written notes.What is the special education teacher involved with your son doing about this situation? If the IEP specifies that your son will use a tape recorder in class, then the teacher has NO OPTION other than to allow your son to use the device. The use of the tape recorder should be mentioned in the part of the IEP dedicated to addressing modifications being made in the general education classroom. This teacher must allow this, and by simply not doing so, he will be in violation of federal law. In the past I have explained to general education teachers that modifications are similiar to someone using glasses;without the glasses I or anyone else who wears them would not be successful in the classroom. The tape recorder is only providing your son the opportunity to become successful. If this teacher continues to refuse this modification, I would definitely contact the principal and remind he or she that refusing modifications in the classroom is a violation of federal law and that they can subsequently be sued. This will get their attention. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance. Laurie

Two years ago when my son was in 7th grade I suggested (during an IEP meeting)the use of a recorder to assist my son (severely dyslexic, disgraphic and auditory processing deficit)with taking notes and recording daily assignments. The school officials told me that legally he couldn’t because it was infringing on privacy issues of other students who would be “recorded” without their permission. At the time I did not pursue the matter but now I’m wondering if I should mention it again. Robyn did you have any luck changing the teacher’s mind?

: Two years ago when my son was in 7th grade I suggested (during an IEP
: meeting)the use of a recorder to assist my son (severely dyslexic,
: disgraphic and auditory processing deficit)with taking notes and
: recording daily assignments. The school officials told me that
: legally he couldn’t because it was infringing on privacy issues of
: other students who would be “recorded” without their
: permission. At the time I did not pursue the matter but now I’m
: wondering if I should mention it again. Robyn did you have any
: luck changing the teacher’s mind?Kim, I find the reluctance of general education teachers to allow students to tape record classes dumbfounding. By tape recording a lecture in a public school classroom does not violate any privacy issues of the students. If that was the case we would not have yearbooks in which pictures of children in classrooms are prominent throughout the book. A tape recorder is a legimate technological modification that can be used in the classroom. In fact, many teachers use a tape recorder as a means of classroom management. If you would like your son to use a tape recorder you have the option of requesting the reconvenance of the IEP team and place an addendum to the IEP requiring that your son be allowed this modification. If you choose to do this I would request that the principal and the special education director be present also. Another option you have is to have an advocate come with you. If you live near a major university that has a special education department, you might consider calling the dean of that department and he or she may know of a professor or even and organization that may act as an advocate. Remember, modifications in the general education classroom are there for your son to be successful in that room. You may have to be persistant, but the teachers will get over it. I am a 6th grade special education teacher and I have to fight continuously for my students rights, but I do so because that’s my passion. I find your tenacity refreshing simply because all too often most parents don’t have that passion to fight for their child’s rights. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Laurie

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: Dear Robyn,If the CSE committee puts “tape recorder” on the IEP as a modification, then the teacher has to comply with that. It is also up to the building principal to alert that teacher that he needs to follow the IEP. Once the principal speaks to the teacher, if the teacher still refuses to allow it, he’s putting himself at risk for a lawsuit.