I would like some advice. My daughter has NVLDs, all of the standard symptoms: fine and gross motor delays, math disability, hand writing is slow,laborious and illegible, too talkative, impulsive, inattentive at times, and has trouble with peers. Her verbal IQ is 34 points higher than her performance. She’s in 4th grade now and has done quite well academically this year-honor roll 3 Xs out of 4 with all reg. ed. classes except math. She goes to resource for extra help in math and the extra time needed to finish work. She will be moving on to the middle school next yr and I have been forwarned by her resource teacher to prepare her for the FACT that she will not get to participate in the exploratory classes. The fifth graders move around in blocks of three teachers who each teach two subjects. There will be no “free” time for resource. So, as is the case with all the children who ‘need’ (?) resource time, they must miss out on the one exploratory period during which they will rotate through art, chorus, horticulture, etc. each six week marking period. I have a real problem with this and I would like to bring them MY solution when we get ready to work up next year’s IEP. I would like suggestions and to know if this is LEGAL. I can’t see how it could be.My husband and I are buying her an Alphasmart, and plan on insisting that her use of it be integrated into her assignments and I know that even with that she may not be able to finish work. Can I insist on her being allowed to finish work orally?? Dr. has diagnosed dysgraphia, but not in writing…yet. I am thinking that we should do away with resource time altogether except for test taking, maybe. I’ve had to fight alreay this yr that she not walk around for weeks trying to finish up written reading class work as she can—recess and resource time. I have had to restate that I want her to finish reading assignments the same day, orally, if necessary. And they are doing that now. Any suggestions for making oral accomodations work in middle school??Can’t they see that a child with LDs and particulary with NVLDs needs exposure to the variety of fields offered in exploratory classes? They will have a hard enough time finding their niche in life and I know many never do. Am I overreacting?? Please any advice would be appreciated. Thanks RC
Re: NVLD-sacrifice Exploratory for Resource time?!?
Most middle schools do a similar thing. But I would not give up resource. My NLD son is in middle school and he has needed the help much more in middle school than in elementary. At the same time, I don’t see why she should have to give up Exploratory classes. You might want to learn more about their schedule. In my son’s middle school they have a study hall—and that is where they pull students out. In the school I work in, they have a study skills class. And most LD and Language students get served during this period.
Does your daughter get service every day? My son couldn’t get pulled out of study because band meets then. So he is taken out of class twice a week—different classes. I like the PE option—although here in Illinois PE is mandated by law. Something ought to be able to be worked out. Good luck. Leah
Re: NVLD-sacrifice Exploratory for Resource time?!?
The ironic thing is,their are probably a lot of regular ed kids missing out on the exploratory classes,because of needing FCAT preparartion. The schools are so stressed about getting good marks on the FCAT,that they are needing to do tutoring,or teaching towards the test. Her resource room time, shouldn’t be in the place of these classes,your daughter needs these classes,maybe what she doesn’t need,is to even worry about doing the FCAT? How much of the resource room is needed to support your daughter in school? Is it strictly out of need to pass the FCAT? And if she is below grade level in Math,and all the resource room time is being used for the grade level test,what is the use,anyway? Her IEP dictates whether she will progress to the next grade, whether she will recieve a regular high school diploma,not the FCAT. Taking a class away for another one that might only frustrate her,isn’t fair. I would fight this one ,if she is struggling with below grade level work,she deserves math in resource and be taught at the level she is at,so she will understand Math,not pass the test.
Re: NVLD-sacrifice Exploratory for Resource time?!?
Why not just have her pulled for math resource during the regular math class and perhaps study hall (my son calls it seminar)? If the middle school is using the block method then most likely, there will be time left over from math lesson to finish other work.My son’s classes run about 85 minutes. Usually his teachers (other than math) don’t give a lot of homework, if they do it is unfinished classwork, and generally not too long.Best of luck.
Re: NVLD-sacrifice Exploratory for Resource time?!?
Socks and everyone, Thanks
We’re in VA. The children must pass the SOLs and passing these is needed for a normal diploma. Until much need legislation changes that. Hopefully that will be soon.
I think too that she should just be allowed to start from scratch with math and learn everything again, regardless of the timetable that must be followed for the SOLs. She’s doing quite well in everything else. I think we’re going to abandon resource as far as tutoring goes and just have her use it for test taking. The biggest challenge will be insisting that she be allowed for finish written work orally. Like many NVLDs she expresses herself very well verbally —it’s only when she has to put her thoughts to paper that everything breaks down.
There’s no study hall in 5th grade and I doubt I would want her to give up P.E.—considering her physical difficulities—she needs that as much as anything else.
I’m preparing myself for the battles ahead as she progresses through the grades.
If you get it written into the IEP that she can finish certain work orally then they should follow the IEP. My corcern here is when will she finish the work orally and to whom.
You might want to look and giving up PE instead and using that time for resource.
Helen