Hi all,
I am new here. My daughter who is currently 14 and in 9th grade has been classified since 3rd grade and has had an IEP all that time. Mostly dyslexia / reading / spelling and writing. She gets things like extended test time, special location, use of word processor and calculator, resource room etc. It is noted in her IEP that she is easily distracted and has trouble focusing on school work when stressed with outside stressors.
She started high school this year and has been having a great deal of difficulty adjusting to the new school. The high school here is HUGE. 3 middle schools filter into one high school with an approximate student body of close to 4,000 students. There is a lot of social adjustments, loosing friends, drama etc that have been blind siding her. Not to mention that this has been a tough year in her personal life as well.
She went from passing all classes last year to now failing almost everything! She is definitely overwhelmed and in over her head. I have had meetings with all of her teacher and guidance counselor. All of them say that she isn't trying hard enough. That her homework is OK and for the main part turned in on time. But that she looses focus during class time and tests.
She is in all main stream classes, and I recently had a discussion of dropping her down a level in math. This was suggested by the guidance counselor and resource room teacher. This would give her a better chance in math and the change would also mean a period change for Social Studies to a class that has half the number of students in it. All sounds great, however the math teacher wouldn't agree to it and is not allowing the change. She said that my daughter isn't trying hard enough... that if she tries harder for the next 2 - 3 weeks and is still failing then she would consider the change. But then we would be almost finished with the 3rd quarter and 3 failing marking periods would ensure that no switch could help her pass for the year. Why wait?? This just really ticked me off... This change would effect her on a global scale... a better suited math class... smaller Social Studies class, this would mean a little less pressure and hopefully ease her mind a bit which would then help bring up the other grades.
I have had numerous calls into the school and just walked in on Friday to meet with the Guidance Counselor. I had a nice chat with him and he is on board with the changes as is the resource room teacher, but said it is up to the math teacher. I just don't' understand that. She isn't seeing the global impact. He said that if I didn't get the answer I wanted to hear tomorrow that I could then meet with the principal. Which I am fully prepared to do!
My daughter is in over her head and needs a life ring!
What other options could be available for my daughter given her situation. I have never had to fight with the school before to get her what she needs until now.
Our annual review meeting is in a few weeks or I may request an emergency meeting to get her help for the remainer of this year. I wanted to pick your brains as to what I can ask for at the meeting. I want her to be set up for success. But feel like I am clueless on what can be done for her.
Any and all help, opinions, etc would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Kim
I am new here. My daughter who is currently 14 and in 9th grade has been classified since 3rd grade and has had an IEP all that time. Mostly dyslexia / reading / spelling and writing. She gets things like extended test time, special location, use of word processor and calculator, resource room etc. It is noted in her IEP that she is easily distracted and has trouble focusing on school work when stressed with outside stressors.
She started high school this year and has been having a great deal of difficulty adjusting to the new school. The high school here is HUGE. 3 middle schools filter into one high school with an approximate student body of close to 4,000 students. There is a lot of social adjustments, loosing friends, drama etc that have been blind siding her. Not to mention that this has been a tough year in her personal life as well.
She went from passing all classes last year to now failing almost everything! She is definitely overwhelmed and in over her head. I have had meetings with all of her teacher and guidance counselor. All of them say that she isn't trying hard enough. That her homework is OK and for the main part turned in on time. But that she looses focus during class time and tests.
She is in all main stream classes, and I recently had a discussion of dropping her down a level in math. This was suggested by the guidance counselor and resource room teacher. This would give her a better chance in math and the change would also mean a period change for Social Studies to a class that has half the number of students in it. All sounds great, however the math teacher wouldn't agree to it and is not allowing the change. She said that my daughter isn't trying hard enough... that if she tries harder for the next 2 - 3 weeks and is still failing then she would consider the change. But then we would be almost finished with the 3rd quarter and 3 failing marking periods would ensure that no switch could help her pass for the year. Why wait?? This just really ticked me off... This change would effect her on a global scale... a better suited math class... smaller Social Studies class, this would mean a little less pressure and hopefully ease her mind a bit which would then help bring up the other grades.
I have had numerous calls into the school and just walked in on Friday to meet with the Guidance Counselor. I had a nice chat with him and he is on board with the changes as is the resource room teacher, but said it is up to the math teacher. I just don't' understand that. She isn't seeing the global impact. He said that if I didn't get the answer I wanted to hear tomorrow that I could then meet with the principal. Which I am fully prepared to do!
My daughter is in over her head and needs a life ring!
What other options could be available for my daughter given her situation. I have never had to fight with the school before to get her what she needs until now.
Our annual review meeting is in a few weeks or I may request an emergency meeting to get her help for the remainer of this year. I wanted to pick your brains as to what I can ask for at the meeting. I want her to be set up for success. But feel like I am clueless on what can be done for her.
Any and all help, opinions, etc would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Kim