A. It is not unusual to see academic problems surface in the third grade. This is the year in which schools expect students to become more independent learners. Students are expected to apply time management to increasingly difficult work. The volume of schoolwork also increases as the teacher support decreases. During this transitional year, learning ... Continue Reading »
I have a son who is a high school sophomore. He is a smart boy with a pleasant disposition and has been a good student until recently. His grades are deteriorating and he does not seem to care. We have tried to punish him by removing privileges, but this has not worked. We are concerned about his college admission possibilities, but he seems unfazed.
This happens way too often. Formerly good students who begin to underperform at a critical time in high school. Not all students are emotionally ready for this transition to early adulthood and may demonstrate this lack of readiness with the most influential tool within their power, their grades. Unfortunately colleges monitor high school grades closely ... Continue Reading »
The school recommended a psycho-educational or psychological evaluation for my second-grade son, but they won’t be able to test him for several months. Is there a way to speed up this process or should we just wait?
As soon as you, the parent, sign the consent form for the school to administer testing, the clock starts ticking. The school system is required, by law, to administer and report test results within sixty days. If you want faster results, you must pay for the tests to be administered privately by a licensed professional. ... Continue Reading »
My daughter was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. We have an IEP that was established at the beginning of the year. The plan decreases the amount of work she receives, gives her extra time to complete her work, and permits her to sit by herself whenever she wants to. She is a smart child and I don’t see how this plan is helping her reach her potential?
You have reason to be concerned. The strategies you mentioned do not address Asperger Syndrome problems; they only minimize their effect in the classroom. Asperger Syndrome is a pervasive problem. When dealt with properly the syndrome can be reduced to a condition that is difficult to detect. Social engineering plays a big role in lessening ... Continue Reading »
An IEP meeting was scheduled for my seventh-grader following a diagnosis of ADHD. When I showed up at the meeting, only two out of five of his teachers were there. How can I be sure that the other teachers are aware of the recommendations and are willing to make the same modifications?
The IEP is a written contract to be signed by all educators responsible for its implementation. For the student’s protection, the law that governs implementation of the IEP specifically states that all teachers must attend the IEP meeting and cannot be excused unless a request is made in writing and agreed upon by the parents. ... Continue Reading »
My sister’s child is 12 years old. He has an IEP that addresses many of his learning difficulties. I think that our son, who is 10 years old, would also benefit from an education plan that was designed just for him too. My husband and I spend several hours most school nights helping him with his homework and keeping him focused. His grades vary from B+ to F, depending on how much time we spend reviewing the material. Is this what is typically expected of parents?
No, this isn’t typical. A 10-year-old student should spend about 30 minutes doing homework each night. You’re exhausting yourself and your student. Students are expected to be able to perform most homework unassisted. You and your husband are providing the in-depth help he should be getting at school. If he is having difficulty focusing at ... Continue Reading »
Several months ago my 9-year-old daughter was evaluated for a learning disability. The test revealed that she has severe deficiencies in math and memory. The school does not want to give her an IEP because they say she reads on grade level and that her teacher will give her extra math help if she needs it. What should I do?
A student can be a good reader, but still have specific learning deficits in certain areas, such as mathematics. Identifying this problem area at such a young age is an important step to helping her manage more complex mathematical requirements in future years. Although it is helpful when a teacher provides extra assistance, it is ... Continue Reading »
Does my child qualify for an IEP if he is failing most of his classes in eighth grade, but not all of them? He is passing his algebra and science class, but just barely. I’m worried that he won’t be able to keep up in high school next year.
Unfortunately failing in school does not in of by itself qualify a student for special education assistance, even though it may be very useful. You will have to meet with his teachers to see if they can ascertain exactly why he is failing some and barely passing other subjects. Is it bad test grades, not ... Continue Reading »
I attended the September IEP meeting for my first grade son who was diagnosed with ADHD. Several suggestions were written down by his classroom teacher and special education teacher and they all sounded good to me. Now it is April and his classroom teacher said that he is not ready for second grade. I assumed that his education plan was working, but now they say that he has not responded well. This is news to me, what should I do?
This is an unfortunate waste of precious learning opportunities. An unproductive school year in elementary school amounts to one out of five grades. It represents a large portion of the foundational learning needed before moving on to middle school. That is way too much time for him to have spent “off track.” Communication is an ... Continue Reading »
How do I know if my child has a good IEP?
This is a complicated question to answer. First, it is presumed that when a parent signs the IEP contract, they are an equal participant in its design. They are assumed to have complete knowledge of all the variables available for modifying their child’s learning environment. The parent is believed to be aware of the full ... Continue Reading »