Taking Credit

[notellin]

Have you ever experienced the school taking credit for everything? My son's grades went up on every subject that I targeted and worked hard on at home. The report cards makes a point of giving the school credit for this academic improvement.

[carol]

Thus far, the only thing my son's prior school took credit for was all the things they tried with him and he failed at all of them. I call it the "I,I syndrome". :(He has many labels after his name, no harm in a school having some. I am on both ends working in a classroom. I do try many strategies with children to assist with their behavior, but if the child responds to it, then the praise is all theirs.

I hear what you are saying. Much of what my son knows now, I credit to my one on one time which he never received at his prior school, because there was nothing wrong with him, he was just bad. (sarcasm) Seriously though, I think school plays an intricate part in a child's life and deserves some recognition especially if that child is succeeding, but I know the point you are trying to make.

I, as a mother of a child with some issues, happen to know that you do spend the time teaching your child.

Pat yourself on your back, mom, you did a great job.

[lillian]

Notellin,

Because your son has an IEP, I think you should clearly state in his SPED file what you or anyone else is doing with him at home to help him academically. This is part of his remediation and needs to be taken into account. I comment about the one-on-one work I do with my son in the notes of the IEP meeting, and I send letters to the school, which I keep copies of, that discusses the private tutoring he is receiving.

[lcdc1]

yeah lillian I do that also, I had them add the organization skills to it that we use at home and reward systems too. I thought I was the only one that did that.

[charliegirl]

Its important that they know all the supports which are in place as progress can easily be used to say your child doesn't need services anymore. You may also be able to get more in the IEP if they are aware that outside help has been needed to get to the point he is at.

[notellin]

thanks for the replies. I should send letters for the sole purpose of describing what I am doing at home? Or ask during the IEP meeting that the notes include information on the help that I am providing at home? Or should I come to the IEP meeting with a parent attachment (my advocate did that once)?

I am actually concerned because by taking credit, they are making it sound like he is dependent on these services to succeed, and they are the sole reason he is doing so well. It is my opinion that some of these services are not helping him. I would like to see services reduced, and by high school, I would like to see him exited from SE. I'm concerned that if it continues to go this way, that will never happen.

But then again with the budget crisis, maybe reducing services will not be a problem...