Summer School Question....

Hi everyone,

I have a question about summer school and a special ed high school student.

A friend of mine called me last night confused about what was going on with her son and the high school. Her son and my son are both 9th graders in special ed. I have personally had nothing but trouble with the schools for years and spend a lot of time advocating for my son and involve myself in every aspect of his education. I’ve called more IEP meetings than I can count. My friend calls me when she has questions because she doesn’t fully understand the process and often asks me “how’d you get them to do that.” I’v tried to tell her about her son’s rights and how she can go about making sure the school follows the law (which they love NOT to do). My girlfriend speaks spanish and I think the language barrier is a big part of the problem. She speaks english but I still think she should have someone at her IEPs that can make sure she’s understanding what’s being said and done. The school has never offered and she’s never asked…..don’t know why.

Anyway, her son failed a couple of classes last term and she asked about summer school for him so that he could make up those lost credits. She told me that they said her son couldn’t go to summer school because it would be to fast paced for him and he wouldn’t be able to keeps up.

NOW….can they do that? If summer school is an option for “other” kids, isn’t it law that they afford her son the same option? Even if he needs extra help, aren’t they supposed to make sure he gets it?

If not, what happens in a couple of years when it’s time to graduate and they say “well now, it seems that he’s missing some credits.” If they won’t allow him to make them up, what’s she supposed to do to help him?

I know that if it were MY son, I’d be having a fit and calling yet another IEP to make them either explain their stupidity or make plans for him to attend summer school.. :twisted:

I told my girlfriend that I would print her out some information to take to the school. And I thought I would come here and ask your advise. It just seems crazy to me that a child in special education can’t go to summer school because well…..because he’s in SPEC ED!

If anyone can give me any information I would truly appriciate it….thank you.

Brenda