I need to get some information to help my son’s teachers. He has expressive language LD. Most of the middle school teachers have modified their lessons to help him succed , but there are 2 who will not or can not change and are willing to fail him. I have been trying to find information on this LD but I have only found a basic definition of it. Yes he has an IEP but it does not spell out what the modifications will be. The team thought it would be best for each teacher to be able to modify according to their teaching style. I felt this was a good idea since I know how hard it is to be told you have to teach this way. I teach science to K-5th graders in an intercity scool. We have over 620 students. I know which students I can push and which I cant. I do not check their IEP but take the time to see which works best for them. We are going to be an inclusive school next year and we will get training on that but I can not wait for the workshops. Thank you for any help you can give me. [color=green][/color]
Re: Expressive Language
It does boil down to that IEP. Sounds like most of the IEPs in your system are boilerplate generalities; it can be a real uphill climb to get specific accommodations in there. Pick one or two critical ones. The infrastructure istn’ going to be there to make them happen so it’s easy for them to become phrases in an IEP that um… some teachers never even read. THink of what you are doing as a movement for improving inclusion — if you try to get the perfect IEP for your kiddo you’ll have a wonderful piece of paper, but the kiddo will not have any better education. If he needs a word bank on his tests, that means teachers are going ot have to make two different tests — but he won’t be the only kid who needs one, and with word processors these days it’s not that difficult once you figure out how to do it.
If those IEPs are boilerplate, at least scan the boilerplate… but make sure there aren’t surprises tucked in there. ONe of these years, somebody might just care; you also might find out that a kiddo has a lot *more* ability than he projects. Yo8u can limit a child just as much by what they’ll show you in the classroom.
First of all, you definitely need to spell out modifications if your son is failing classes and the teachers are refusing to make accomodations. Request an IEP team meeting immediately and discuss what the problems are and make the necessary changes.
I would also respectfully suggest that you are required to look at the IEP’s of your own students to be certain you are aware of the childrens’ goals and modifications. I would not be very happy to hear that one of my child’s academic teachers had not looked at the IEP. And I think you are legally responsible for following those IEP’s.
Janis