Hi, I posted this on the parent forum, but looking for input from teachers as well. My 10yr ds, was diagnosed with a “reading disability” last year in 4th grade and has an IEP, but it is worded very generally “… assingments, tests… may be adjusted by time, length…”ect. Last year it was decided that since it was impossible for him to learn all 25 spelling words (he’s a very phonetic speller, even though he knows his phonics rules), he would only be graded on the first 10, with extra credit given for any others he got right. He went from “D”, to “B” and confidence shot up.
I assumed this year that it would be the same, but found out early in the week that his new teacher is holding him responsible for all 25 words. We discussed how it was done last year and the teacher told me he could do that, but if he made that accomodation, the highest grade my son could ever earn on a test would be a “C”.
Can a teacher lower a student’s grade, even though the IEP requires the accomodation? Please help, I need to meet with the school and straighten this out. Thanks for your help….
Re: IEP/teacher question...
Oh, no, he cannot do that. Buy this teacher a book on differentiated instruction, or something. He is clueless about accommodations and modifications. I would not allow that if it were my child. If he is doing 10 words and gets them all correct, he makes 100…an A. Another book that might be very beneficial for this teacher is [u]Educational Care[/u] by Dr. Mel Levine.
Janis
Re: IEP/teacher question...
If the teacher doesn’t believe that it is fair do grade different students differently, then he’s probably not going to change that attitude with a book. (I’m not sure what would, though perhaps a thorough, logical discussion of the assorted causes and effects of his rigid policies vs. a well-crafted change would. It really is a lot *easier* just to have one set of standards… even though it’s not fair…)
Re: IEP/teacher question...
Was this a written modification/accommodation in his last IEP?
If not, request a meeting to amend the IEP and have this put in place.
He *shouldnl’t* be penalized for his disability. In hindsight (but I’d have done the same thing) you should have gotten that policy in the IEP — but then, teachers have been known to just ignore that.
I’d have a chat with the principal - but I’d also figure out if this is a battle worth fighting (though, since it boosted his confidence and had him engaged and learnign, it probably is). It could be that you have to tell him that hey, this is a higher grade so they grade things harder, but that *you* are going to consider a C to be an A.
Is that his main accommodation? ‘Cause this teacher seems to think Fairness is Sameness (so everybody needs to use urinals, right? Sorry…)
It does make life more difficult when a student whines about the difference, so I (as a teacher) try to have an answer (he has to do extra work on the words even though there are fewer) - and if someone whines ask in utter seriousness if they feel like they need accommodations and if they say yes then encourage them to have their parents come in and discuss it with them and do the testing … usually the thought of hours of testing and the lovely label rather dissuades a student.