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assessment/records?

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

My daughter is struggling in kindergarten. I requested the school assess her.
I also requested to have a copy of her file at school.
I read about my rights but wonder, since she isn’t yet in special education yet, is the school still required to give me a copy within 5 days?
I live in california.
trisha

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 02/03/2002 - 6:41 PM

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I think all that would be in her record at this point would be things you already have such as grades. When I go to do an evaluation on a child at school there often isn’t much in a record at all. But you can have a copy of it, I don’t know the timeline. If you really want it go to the school and just ask for it in person, it will speed stuff up (if you can get there). What is she struggling with? Has she had a speech and language screening (usually the first place kids get noticed actually)? Is there a family history of difficulty?

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 02/03/2002 - 10:51 PM

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my daughter likely has some content in her file due to behavioral issues.
she is struggling with receptive language, letter reversals, writing, comprehension and retention of basic kindergarten skills. I am very concerned. I did request her Sp. and language be assessed.
trisha

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 02/04/2002 - 12:41 AM

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If this will make you feel any better behavior issues often arise due to the concerns you posted above, esp. things in the realm of not hearing things correctly, something known as CAPD. They are good articles on that on this site but most audiolgists won’t test for it until at least age 6 due to the high amoun of brain pasticity (possible change on the neuron level) before then. If a child has trouble hearing sounds (they WILL usually pass pure tone hearing test which is what is given in school) or understanding directions the studetn themself often doesn’t know they don’t hear it correctly and then they don’t do it and get in trouble. In addition, frsutration with tasks can also lead to behavior trouble. Letter reversals are common for a lot of kindergardeners but along with other things it could be a problem. If your insurance covers outside testing get in touch with a pediatric SLP and developmental psychologist (insurance is more likely to cover a speech eval. but often a learning eval. although not treatment may be covered) and get testing done now. Also, put your request for an evaluation in writing to the director of special education as well as the teacher and principle. ASAP to get the clock running. It takes long enough as it. In the mean time you might want to look at getting some Kindergarden workbooks at a teacher store to work through with your daughter (they should have some that have handwriting practice too). Books that help are anything with rythme or repetition (repetitive books like “Brown Bear.”) To practice spelling or letters it helps to take a multi-sense approach. Most kids love shaving cream. You can get a disposible aluminum pan and coat just the bottom with shaving cream to practice letters. Making them in clay and then tracing them with fingers helps. (This helps reading as well as writing). Work on rythming with her, coming up iwth silly words that rythme, the car is a good place to try this. Have her repeat basic directions back to you when you are doing something together, maybe in the kitchen cooking? FYI: Don’t let them tell you to keep her back unless you have had testing done.

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 02/04/2002 - 5:52 AM

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Cheryl,
thanks so much for all the good advice.
You were do nice to take the time to help.
trisha

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