Not sure where to post this. Having problems with my daughte

I would never again be an aide at my childs school-sad to say, but we are better off not knowing. Actually, I am now opposed to the use of aides because I know how they can so easily be misused(for pennies, no less)If they get cut with the budget, I think our kids are better off(no fault of the aide).

I wish I could help you, but i can only commisserate. I too saw teachers spend their time on personal emails, gossip, leaving the building to run errands, doing needlework, etc. It was almost as if the children were a nuisance to be dealt with while they were living their lives. And one of these was special ed teacher as well

I am hearing more and more that a school is its principal and I am understanding it. It takes one willing to do hands on supervision and willing to take on the teachers union

Our principal in the above story called a quick after school meeting because one of our teachers had been threatened by a former student hanging around school grounds. It went 3 minutes over the teachers’ scheduled leave time and a complaint from the union was on his desk the next morning.

There ARE good teachers-there are great ones-i wish I could transport some of the ones who take time on the board to help us to my distric,. but I wish there was a way to weed out those bad ones-“our” kids cant afford a bad year; they just can’t!

This guy could be there forever. Of course, if he went away, the replacement could be worse (or nonexistent).

This guy also has the system figured out. He knows how to work things so he doesn’t have to. He will also know how to dodge and delay to avoid doing work — you’ve seen it.

Here’s an idea to take or toss — Be utterly professional — and leave a huge paper trail. It may or may not do one whit of good but you can guarantee nothing will happen if you don’t. Whenever you see something happening that’s a concern, just drop a note of concern to him, and the principal, and the head of the sped department. Look for things that would obviously be “bad press,” not things that could be explained as a teacher’s prerogative. It’s amazing how it makes an admin sit up and take a deep breath when things like “in the three days which I have observed class this week, Mr. Farnswhistle has spent thirty minutes interacting with students. For instance, From 9-10 he was at his desk, appearing to be responding to e-mails. I am very concerned. My daughter’s IEP, a legally binding document, states that she will receive >> hours/wk of services. This week seh received >>. This is an ongoing pattern of noncompliance with the IEP. “
Ask for a response within 48 hours (something you can file & hang on to) and if that doesn’t happen send the next one certified with ever-so-polite “perhaps this did not come to your attention; I am not meaning to alarm you by sending this via certified mail, but the issue concerns me enough so that I do wish to be sure that you have been made aware of serious breaches of the IEP which are occurring on a regular basis.”

I agree with the document trail. I hate to say this, but I recently read that when the teacher does not file the IEP they can be held legally responsible because they are violating that child’s civil rights.

I know this should be used as a last resort but sometimes certain educators feel they are above punishment and filing a civil right complaint might make them take notice!

K.

And even if you never get anywhere near that step, cool and calm letters are solid proof that you have *tried.* So many times by the time a parent gets to the “higher-ups” they’re so frustrated their anger shows… so the admins see an angry, strident parent — and the teacher says “gosh golly gee, this is clearly a parent wiht a problem!” and the parent says “but I asked you nicely 45 times!!!” and the teacher says “really? I don’t remember!” And the Peeved PRincipal has only the evidence in front of him/her…

Often when a paper trail starts appearing, admins simply send the message taht “this is one of those parents. Better keep them happy.”
The “special needs and special gifts” site (do a google search on the phrase :)) has some great examples of positive, upbeat… no-nonsense get-what-you-need letters.

Hi Anita,
I had a situation somewhat similar two years ago. My daughter had a teacher who spent a great deal of time on the computer, telephone, working exclusively hours a day with a SpecEd student in the classroom (whose mother he ate lunch with daily!), leaving the classroom without an adult, etc….

The way this was handled is one of the parents arranged a meeting at a local Starbucks to discuss the situation. Everyone shared what they knew about the situation, had heard from their children, had witnessed from helping in the classroom, dates, details, etc…. and a couple of us wrote out notes and organized the information.

As mentioned in the posts here, what’s most important is having plenty of documentation. In addition to this, you want to make sure that the informaiton is written and presented in a very logical and unemotional manner. Not attacking the teacher, but expressing concern that specific educational objectives are not being carried through. Adding a plan of how to reach those objectives may also be helpful in getting them met. Try to get support from other parents if possible.

I hope that helps! Good luck!!!

Sue is absolutely correct. This is exactly what I have been doing. It started with many discussions that never went anywhere. Now EVERYTHING is documented. If I have a discussion, I document my interpretation of exactly what was said. I do it in a very professional, intelligent manner. I just got a call yesterday from the head of sped in my district who has received many cc’d notes from me. He said, “My hat is off to you for all you do for your son. I would do the same thing for my child.”

I have stated very specific examples of things that have gone on in class. I have not gotten lost in feelings and emotions. I have explained in detail all the work I have done with him at home and what works best for him. I have explained in detail the effect this classroom situation has had on him emotionally and academicly.

The school psych who has been giving me the run around for a month called me the other day and said that we need to have a meeting as soon as possible to deal with these issues. She pushed everything else off her calender to schedule it for next week. You can bet I will be drawing up an agenda for that meeting and writing my interpretation about what was said at the meeting after. Up until this point we have had meetings where alot gets said and nothing gets done. I personally can’t stand this type of inefficiency anywhere. So if they don’t know how to run an effective meeting, I will just go ahead and show them how it is done.
I am pretty sure they are ready to give me whatever I want; which at this point is a new teacher in a new class without a modified curriculum and just a few accomodations.

I guess you could say I am using accomodations to circumvent their deficiencies.
Maybe I should give the school psych a little reminder card she can put on her desk that says, “Parents are equal members of the IEP team.” Maybe it will help her not forget that fact the next time.

Hats off to you. Your child will be better off for it. Funny how documentation keeps them accountable

It is like you all will be with me at that IEP meeting. The words will just be coming out of my mouth.

Thanks again!

My parent advocate told me to use the following phrase at the summation of all my correspondence:

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. If all or any of the statements in this letter are disputed please notify me in writing within 10 days, otherwise the statements shall be considered to be true.

It has made all the difference in the world. My advocate said that this statement will hold up in a due process hearing. Now my letters to the school psychologist now get answered in writing. For more tips that my advocate gave me look for my posts under the parenting ADHD children.

I saw the same thing. ANd they pay the aides so poorly. In the room I was in, the private duty nurses and the aides dealt drugs. Mostly marijuana. I felt like some dummy who just fell off the turnip truck. I couldn’t believe it. Also say kids treated with apathy and meanness.

I want to thank you all for the advice. Well documentation has started. Ohh still waiting for his call which so far has not come! I did call and leave a message Sped director that has been helping me document everything and ask her how long I need to wait for his call. I have not heard back from her. But I do know she is not doing well physically. Has been having a lot to cope with and also having a lot of migrains where she can not keep under control. I know she will get back with me though. She has in the past.
Linda, I am going to do what you said, keep emotion out of it and be professional.

I am so thankful for all of you…

Anita

Thanks so much for you help. I will do it this way also…Thanks again…
(running to see your post under parenting ADHD children)

I was at a IEP meeting last year where the OT tried to dismiss my child from therapy. I wouldn’t do it because I knew he still had problems. The district audiologist was there because we were also discussing an FM system. At a later meeting, after the decision to retain him in OT was made, the audiologist told me that my son was going to just fine with me to advocate for him. It does make a difference!!!

Beth