Best Public Schools for LD Kids

I feel very fortunate in our current district. I have 2 boys with learning difference’s and I feel this district has done well by them. In the last district we were in we were told “all children with Autism are retarded your son will never meet up to the potential you expect.” Not a very pretty picture. For my other son we heard “he is the laziest most unmotiviated child I have seen, you need to medicate him and get him serious counseling.” Again not a pretty picture. We get here and the whole story changed. Both boys were provided immediate intervention. The youngest is in a self contained LD class with 10 students and 3 teachers. The students get individual and small group instruction. The circulium is based on the same used for the other 3rd graders just presented differently and at a slower speed. My son went from a reading only 2 to 3 words to reading and understanding at a solid 2nd grade level. He is in a small summer school program that is continuing to work on his reading skills. My oldest son was put in a mix of LD and regular ed classes (middle school). When we got here he hated school because all he knew was failure. In 7th grade he read at a 3rd grade level, at the end of 8th he read at a solid 6th grade level. He went from a D average to a B average. He tested at the 60th percentile for math (in old district 19th). He received 1 on 1 where needed and was encouraged with POSITIVE motivational tools. He was held accountable when appropriatte and guided when needed. He know likes school, realizes its importance, and understands that hard work will help get him through. By no means is either boys struggle over but it is becoming a lot easier.

Some things I have seen on the BB that other parents are looking for in a district.

They do have self contained classrooms. There is seperate self contianed classrooms for LD students from BD/ED students.

Social work serive is available. This includes them going into regular classrooms to work with the the “NT’s” on social skills. IE do not think you are better then so and so because so and so can not read we all have our own set of strengths and weaknesses.

IEP students are encouraged and provided support in extra curriculars such as Art club, young arthurs, band, ect.

The teachers communicatte with parents and consider them part of the team. They are very open to suggestions and visits to the classroom.

The goal of the special ed is to mainstream if possible when possible. The special ed students are mainstreamed for some classes but during these classes the special ed teacher and her team join the regular ed class to co-teach the subject. The areas they are included is all specials such as art, gym, and computer, lunch, recess, science and social studies. They chose the science and social studies because they are easily taught with visuals and mantiplatives.

No the school is not perfect. There are teachers there with thinking “ld=uncapable too much work”, they dont have a handle on the standard testing issue, LD students still get picked on by peers, and other various small things but overall they do well in my opinion.

Today is one of those days I wonder if the phrase” Best Public School for LD Kids” is an oxymoron?

I have not come across a school in my district that is really great or even good with LD Kids. My district is more concerened with how much money each LD child brings into the general town fund!!

Not a very big public school fan!!

K.
Mom of a private school first grader!

K,

Was wondering if you had any tips for someone who doesn’t have the income to afford the private school, but KNOWS there child needs it desperately? The private school we are interested in charges about 12000. a year for enrollment and I am worried my four year old will be in just as much need as his seven year old sister. We currently have one income and it just doesn’t stretch that far, do you have any ideas that we aren’t thinking of?
Just wondering
Deb

My only suggestions would be to look into Key Education. They offer a loan program for K-12. I know it sounds a little crazy but it may be worth it, if your child really need to the help.

It is a renewable loan similar to a student loan. It cuts your monthly payment considerably. You will be paying it for a while but I would rather be paying for a loan than have my child suffering.

Also, does the school offer any financial aid or scholarship. My son has been lucky and he received a scholarship that helps us with tution.

Also, since private schools are often not getting money from the state or feds, ask about volunteering to cut some of the tuition. My school is always looking for someone to clean and do outdoor handy work!

Hope this helps!
K.

K.,
My children also attend private school , something which is very common where I live . (public schools are over crowded, major budget problems etc. ) In fact there are many private schools in our area, and these are regular schools, not special ed. or parochial. We love the school, but one of the issues I am grappling with for my LD son, is that none of his services are provided in the course of his school day. The school is supportive and nurturing, and wonderful for him in many ways , but is not required to provide services for him, and wouldn’t know how even if they wanted to. So we have to carefully choose which therapies are the highest priority and worth an afternoon of his time. We can’t have him in remediation every day! There are special ed. private schools, but I think for right now time spent with “regular” kids benefits him socially. So ironically, I’ve been thinking about moving so we could enroll him in a high quality public school where some of his services could be integrated into his school day. Just wondering if you’ve confronted this issue. Unlike many parents on this board, I am not waging battle with my public school system, don’t have an IEP, but am paying privately for everything he needs, and trying to fit into his busy schedule without making him a nervous wreck!

I am dealing with this right now. The public school system has designed an IEP which has about a paragraphs worth of classroom accomodations. Some will not be a big deal, sitting near the teacher, making eye contact, but I don’t know how the teacher and the school will respond.

The public school keeps telling me that I need to place him in public school because he needs the type of enviroment that they offer. However, I know that isn’t true. If they are so concerned with his progress why did they only offer speech therapy once a week? What more would he get in public school.

I too don’t want to change to a special ed private school. The only one in my area is about $20,000 a year. There is no way we can afford that. Also, I like the school and he does very well there. I also am trying to prioritize what afterschool services are really necessary.

We are trying to move about 4 towns over. My special ed advocate said that this is the best town for special ed becuase they have no financial problems.

So, I understand what you are going through.

K.