MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DIAGNOSED LAST YEAR IN K WITH A LD AND SHE HAS AN IEP NOW. NOW THEY ARE SUGGESTING I MOVE HER INTO A SPECIAL ED CLASS IN A TOTALLY DIFFERENT SCHOOL. THEY DO NOT OFFER THIS CLASS AT HER CURRENT SCHOOL. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE EMOTIONAL PART OF THIS SITUATION FOR MY CHILD. SHE WILL BE VERY UPSET TO SWITCH SCHOOLS AT THIS POINT. AND WHAT KIND OF IMPACT WILL IT HAVE ON HER??? I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO???? WHAT WOULD BE BEST FOR HER??? ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS????
Re: SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES
I went through the same thing with my son when he was going into grade 4. He was pretty upset at leaving his old school and his friends especially on the last day of school. The first year at the new school in the Spec. Ed class was pretty hard socially on him as he adjusted to new kids and the new school. However, academically it has helped him so much in learning. He can now read, he is not frustrated, he is pushed to learn but not overwhelmed, and has an individually developed program. The new class only has 8 kids in it with a teacher and an aide and is the “cadillac” of LD programs. It is where he needs to be and I shudder to think where he would be if this was not available.
Re: SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES
I would request a detailed description of the curriculum materials used for remediation in this special class. If they are doing the right things, it’ll be worth it. If not, it’ll be a total waste. It’s that simple. She will adjust to the move if she suddenly has a teacher who can unlock her potential for learning. But many special classes are a conglomeration of problems without appropriate remediation. Just be careful and get this knowledge before making the decision. You can post the information here and see what people think.
Janis
Re: SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES
I would say never move your child without having seen the school. Go and see the new school and the new classroom she would be in. It can happen that you think the new school is perfect for her and the teacher the best you’ve ever seen and that you’d like to have her in that class more than anything.
Or you could hate the school, classroom, and teacher in which case your decision is made.
I think without visiting the new school, you have little information to go on except for the opinon of your daughter’s current school.
Good luck.
If this were my situation, I would get an explanation in writing from them as to why they feel that should could not manage in a general classroom at her existing school. By law they have to place her in the “least restrictive environment” and unless she poses a dangerous risk to other children, a general classroom IS the least restrictive environment for her. I would write a letter to the principal and special ed director of your district and put ALL of your concerns in writing and ask that their response be made to you in writing to start documenting the events. It is important to remember that unless you put it in writing, it has not been said. Your concerns may be “forgotten” as you go further down the road with this issue. I would like to suggest a book that no parent of LD children should be without. “From Emotions to Advocacy” explains just about everything you need to know. Their companion book “Wrightslaw” contains all of the laws that pertain to special education. You can check it out on www.fetaweb.com. It is excellent!!!! You can find out more about “least restrictive environment” there. Good luck to you and speaking from experience go with your instincts about how you think your child will react to the change.