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Post by momneedsinfo on Jan 19, 2009 18:50:56 GMT -5
My 8 year old has been diagnosed with Encephalopathy, which is a diffuse of the brain that alters brain function or structure. He has been in a sped class since midway through 1st grade. (last year). His teacher was awesome and he learned so much last year. This year he started and the teacher is dry and uptight. It took him and the other 3 1st graders the last 3 1/2 months to get acclimated to this new teacher and they all lost academic time. Now, he has 2 solid weeks of clean work that came home with him. No scribbling or erasing or any frustrating mark outs. Even the sped teacher said he did well and is finally adjusting. This past Friday I get a call from the principal and they are moving him and 2 others to another sped teacher across the hall. Oh and by the way she has emotional support kids in her class. I am meeting tomorrow with the other parents, the principal, and the director of the special ed department. My emails and phone conversations so far to them have been - this is not negotiable - he is not moving out of a classroom that he finally has become adjusted to. I am standing firm.
Does anyone have any feedback for me. My biggest argument is why? and what about the "least restricted environment" for my son. While these behavior children are acting out and the teacher is trying to deal with them - who is teaching my child?
Please help!! My meeting is tomorrow.
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Post by sim on Jan 19, 2009 19:09:51 GMT -5
i dont have any kids of my own. so i cant give any advice on your situation. but i wanted to welcome you to the board..... the people here are very sweet and friendly... i am sure someone will post up soon...
~sim~
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Post by John on Jan 19, 2009 19:10:20 GMT -5
MNI ~ Just wishing you the Best of luck tomorrow.
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Post by misty on Jan 19, 2009 19:38:06 GMT -5
Hi & welcome! I've never been in that situation, but I do agree that moving him would be a bad idea, especially since it took him so long to adjust. And the sped teachers should know that our kids have a hard time adjusting. All I know to tell you is to stand firm. You know what is right & best for your son MUCH better than they do! If you had more time I'd suggest getting an advocate to take with you but they are impossible to get at a moment's notice. I hope the school listens to you. If not, you might have to take it higher, to the administration. I hope you'll come back tomorrow & let us know how it went.
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Post by katiekat on Jan 19, 2009 22:19:27 GMT -5
I agree with Misty-stand firm. Since you don't have time to get an advocate maybe just mentioning that you are going to get one could be of some help. I said this once at a meeting and they got all "oh no thats not necessary" on me.
Good luck and please let us know how things turn out.
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Post by charliegirl on Jan 20, 2009 0:28:14 GMT -5
Welcome to our group!
You need to let them them think you are taking their points into consideration rather than taking a stand without getting the facts.
Before you flat out tell them he can't be switched, ask them specifically why they want to switch him. If they mention it benefiting him, find out why they think the long term affects are going to be so great that they will overcome the negative affects the change will cause.
Be prepared with a list of reasons why you are refusing to let them switch him. If they do have any legitimate reasons for the switch, you will need to present an even stronger case against it.
Why not move him? He has reached a point where he is successful and you don't want to see him have to start all over again. LRE? If the class they want to move him to is designed for kids with more severe disabilities than his, you may be able to use that.
I'm praying now that you will be able to win this battle.
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Post by jill on Feb 7, 2009 17:40:01 GMT -5
welcome to the board
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Post by momneedsinfo on Mar 17, 2009 11:15:51 GMT -5
Well you guys are great. Thanks for all the advise. I went in there and listened to the facts. After nothing was resolved I sent a letter to the "higher ups" asking if they could keep the 2nd graders together and possibly higher a new teacher. That was out of the question.
It did turn out though that within one week 2 ES kids were mainstreamed leaving only one left in the class. The one child is there for a 10 minute swing time and that is it.
Also, it appears that when I asked my son what he wanted he was willing to go to the new teacher provided his peers stayed with him. The new teacher has turned out to be a much more patient teacher. She is more in tune to the children and their needs. I am now wondering if it was actually my sons old teacher that was creating all his problems. He has had no behavioral issues, or does ne not want to go to school. He talks about the class all the time.
I think pushing to keep the 4 kids together turned out to be a better solution and the ES teacher seems to have a better relationship with the 2nd graders than the other teacher. He has already met a few of his IEP goals and he seems much happier when he gets home from school.
Thanks for all the advise! I listened to what my son wanted and it worked!!!
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Post by anon4now on Mar 17, 2009 12:07:43 GMT -5
That's awesome! I love it when my son gets a good teacher. It's good to hear he's enjoying school too!
Keep up the great work,
Anon
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Post by bugsmom on Mar 17, 2009 12:17:25 GMT -5
That is awesome!!! It's unbelievable how one GOOD teacher can make such a difference. Please come back and join us all in the forums. We would love to know your son's progress and get to know you too!  |
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