Hello. I haven’t been to this site in a couple of years as my son’s middle school was wonderful. High school? Terrible. For the first time since my son has been classified (11 years), I missed the team meeting for his annual review.
I called his case manager and left a message on her voice mail apologizing, and stating that I hoped we could reschedule the meeting. My son got home from school and informed me that they had the meeting without me. The next day, the case manager left a message on my machine. Basically, she informed me that she had mailed the “packet” that contained the information about the meeting (decisions made without me). I’m so angry about this that I cannot even bring myself to see what the packet contains (husband said it’s the same as this year for next year— same services). Anyway, is it legal for the case manager to do this?
Also, my son has been borderline/close to failing some of his classes. His teachers are not implementing modifications/accommodations as noted in his IEP. I raised this issue with the Sped Director several months ago. The “team” keeps telling my son what HE needs to do in order to pass his classes. I say that since every report card has been about the same (many C-, D’s and a couple of F’s) through all of his marking periods.
I want his case manager fired (or off of my son’s case). I want the school to do what they are supposed to do in the IEP before they can claim that all of my son’s problems are his “fault.”
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Re: Missed annual review
Rose,
As a special education teacher I would never had had the meeting if the parent had indicated that they are going to come and then didn’t show up. They will have to document that they did everything in their power to see that you were at the meeting. However, you can call them on this point and request that and IEP review be held. Your right as a parent is that you can call an IEP meeting at any time and my recommendation is that you do so. Also, to bring the point home, send a certified letter to the sped director requesting this meeting. I know that summer break has started, however, there is nothing written that states that you as a parent can not request this meeting during the summer. If you don’t want to “rock the boat” you can still request an IEP meeting but that the meeting be held during pre-planning (the week before school actually starts). With his borderline grades I would also request that ALL teachers who will be teaching your son in the upcoming school year be presented as well. I would remind them that it is against the law to deny modifications and accommodations and that a legal precedence has been established and that they could be personally held liable (check with wrightslaw.com to find the name of the litigants.). And most importantly, please get with an advocate that will accompany you to the meeting as well.
Good luck to you and your son.
Laurie
Re: Missed annual review
The school system does not need a parent’s signature on the IEP in order to implement the IEP. Parents do have the right to have their input included in the IEP and Rose and every parent of a child receiving services doe have the right to call for an IEP review to change or modify the IEP.
Laurie
Re: Missed annual review
I keep getting notes home saying that ‘despite the fact that I asked (the class) 3 times that those who didn’t understand put up their hands, David did not. Then he sat for 45 minutes and did nothing.’
When I ask my son, he says ‘When she showed us what to do, it seemed very easy. When she asked who didn’t understand, I THOUGHT I did. Then when I got the workpaper, I was confused and I didn’t know where to start.’ (Hey, I’ve certainly been there — just lucky that along with my son’s learning style, I have the big mouth and social confidence he and my hubby lack!)
So, thanks for helping me feel better — obviously expecting self-advocacy for my 4th grader is perhaps a bit premature. It makes me mad, though, because I explain this at every meeting and ask that they simply DIRECT him to the extra help group, but the way they present this doesn’t allow for it. What would be wrong with letting the children start, then walking about the room after 10 min and gathering anyone who doesn’t seem to be progressing nicely? A blank page after 10 min for my kid is a GUARANTEE that he’s lost — no, ADD is not the problem because he does just fine when he is confident that he knows what to do.
I send notes back saying things like: ‘Thank you for your note. Son and I went over the blank sheet, and he completed it independently after working with me on the first 3 problems. Leadership from adults at school in ensuring that son takes advantage of opportunities for extra teaching will help him break out of this pattern’.
They roll their eyes (I’m sure!) and do nothing, but at least he and I feel better! And it DOES thank them for at least informing me of a blank work paper, which is often not done — another contributing factor to development of this pattern, IMO.
[%sig%]
Re: Missed annual review
You said,
“I keep getting notes home saying that ‘despite the fact that I asked (the class) 3 times that those who didn’t understand put up their hands, David did not. Then he sat for 45 minutes and did nothing.’”
Where is the teacher’s learning curve in all this? What kind of teacher allows a struggling student to just “sit there and do nothing for 45 minutes?” I would say the teacher is the one who needs to learn the appropriate skills NOT your 4th grade son!!!!
There are good teachers who would notice the students who are struggling or who have set up an environment where the struggling students would ask for help during the assignment.
Keep advocating for your son!! Maybe someday the teachers will apply what you have taught them so that other students will benefit!
My son’s middle school keeps saying the same thing. They want him to ask for the accomodations available to him and to go see the learning support teacher if he needs help. If he does not seek help, oh well. I agree with this to a point. The kid will eventually have to advocate for himself, but I don’t know that they are ready to do that in middle and high school. Peers play such a large part and asking for accomodations in front of the class is intimidating. My son’s teachers asks the class in general if they need more time, need a quieter space etc. My kid won’t ask because he is embarrassed. I think at this stage, the student should be asked privately if any of the accomodations available to him are needed and help the student see the relationship between what he can do with and with out accomodations. I would be angry as well. I think they have to set up a meeting with you in order to sign the IEP. You still have the right to make changes that you feel is in his best interests. From what I read, I think high school kids with special needs are left to flounder.