Hello Jerri. I am living in Michigan, and don't even know where to start. My son is currently in the IEP program here since 7th grade. He has failed most classes but is a brilliant child. He talks all the time about what he learns in school. He is loving, and full of life and imagination. He is now in Ninth grade going on 15 next month. I'm lost. I have been trying everything to help him with school and feel as though the school is not supportive or just plain negative because he Quote "Is not like the other children his age" I have met many times with a group of people from school regarding his IEP. NOthing is changing. The poor guy just thinks he is a loser. They tell me I don't push him enough...or the most common is "Maybe his medication for ADHD needs to be changed" He is now finishing up on 9th grade failing 3 classes. He has worked so hard. They do good with him for about a week or two after I meet with them...then everything goes back to the way it was. A negative resource teacher, teachers who don't respond till its to late or just plain don't want to have to deal with all the special needs. I email, go in for meetings, ask for help, but they always give me excuses that they are doing there job correctly. Yet I catch them all the time in errors. I have been threatened that maybe they should get their lawyer involved because I ask to many questions, or doubt that the IEP is working. So many things I could say...but right now I am reaching for any help or guidance on where to start. Because I thought I had to go through the school only,,and that after 3 years has gotten me no where. I have moved from South Florida where my son was abused in the system and came back to my home state knowing I could get him into this amazing public school where I felt he would have a better chance...but after 3 years of failure, I know I must be doing something wrong. I have been given the impression from the school that it is my fault. I'm at a loss and really begging for someone to help me help my amazing son. He is so talented, and has dreams of being in theater (which he is amazing at) but he is losing out on his education and I feel as though he is just being shoved around at the school.
Hoping you can help direct me - Regards, Deborah