Objectivity in checking out a nonpublic sch

Jerri,
Our SD is really pushing for a Non public placement for difficult child. I know that his current placement is not the best he needs a more theraputic class the SD has told me the program that they are suggesting we take a look at is all that and more. I have concerns about the program and I guess I do not know how to ask the right questions and will see the program and think it is great only to find out that they are in non compliance with the IEP or something....How do I know that the opinions I have heard are unbiased.....I do not trust what they say even if they are on the up and up I had heard from one SPED person that a certain sch was great only to hear at another time that that particular placement is no longer used due to them not doing a proper job oh well I babble

 

[Jerri]

I use lists.

And do a pros and cons.

You can get more than one "peek" if you like.

Also ask for references, surely a parent who is happy with the program would be able to give you a reference.

You get around the confidentiality peice by allowing them to give your name and number to parents.

Heres some basic questions to get you started:

<ul type="square">

[*]How "indididual" is the program?


[*] If your difficult child struggles with levels, will he have reduced standards so his program can be fueled by success or will he be punished into submission at level 1?


[*]How much will the program work with the parent? Will they provide training and support for parents? Will the school "back up" the parent on home issues, or will they take the attitude home is home & school is school?.. will there be an effort to produce an all day/night consistent program?


[*]Transportation?


[*] Recreation?


[*]Daily rigorius physical excersize?


[*] Contact with non-disabled peers? How often/much?


[*] Time out areas? Cells or guided quiet rooms?


[*] How will your difficult child get respite from other difficult child's in full meltdown?


[*] Do they escalete rages or de-escalate?


[/list]

This should get you started, dont be afariad to insepct the entire physical plant.. demand to see all time out areas.

An inspection should be constructed like you are inspecting a day care program for your blind/deaf two year old child.

You would leave nothing to chance.. tell the school you will be spending 4-6 hours at each building. LOL they will love that.

Hope this helps get you started...

*TIP
Have you thought about a 1 on 1 aide instead?

LMK!

Hugs N Love!!!

Jerri

------------------
Founder: PRIE Parents Rights In Education

5 kids,<ul type="square">

[*]21 yo difficult child Rich
[*] 20 yo easy child Joe
[*] 19 yo difficult child Billy
[*] 14 yo easy child Stacie
[*] 11 yo difficult child Matt
[/list]

Perfect husband Tom! /importthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

"sometimes all thats left to honor the bond is tears... I cry with honor"

Full time volunteer advocate: " A voice and a pen for the bad kid"

( bad kid defined as ANY child not fitting the cookie cutter mold of todays educational administrators )

Jerri McCarthy

 

Jerri, these are great questions to consider. I'll be using these also when I consider my alternatives. Do you have this list (or more like it) somewhere else on the board?

Jeanette

 

[Jerri]

Jeanette,

No I dont but thats a Great idea!

I was thinking after I posted I should design a questionaire to send to the SD's prrograms, that way parents have their promises in writing!!! LOL

I could be soooooo dangerous if i got a puter programer to help me write this stuff.

Hugs N Love!!!

Jerri

------------------
Founder: PRIE Parents Rights In Education

5 kids,<ul type="square">

[*]21 yo difficult child Rich
[*] 20 yo easy child Joe
[*] 19 yo difficult child Billy
[*] 14 yo easy child Stacie
[*] 11 yo difficult child Matt
[/list]

Perfect husband Tom! /importthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

"sometimes all thats left to honor the bond is tears... I cry with honor"

Full time volunteer advocate: " A voice and a pen for the bad kid"

( bad kid defined as ANY child not fitting the cookie cutter mold of todays educational administrators )

Jerri McCarthy

 

I might be able to help. Have all the fancy publishing tools you could ever want. Spent YEARS typing up escrow instructions and have always thought I would love to do editing work. LET ME KNOW YOUR WISH LIST.

Dawn

 

[Jerri]

JD,

Just wondering how its going?

Hugs N Love!!!

Jerri

------------------
Founder: PRIE Parents Rights In Education

5 kids,<ul type="square">

[*]21 yo difficult child Rich
[*] 20 yo easy child Joe
[*] 19 yo difficult child Billy
[*] 14 yo easy child Stacie
[*] 11 yo difficult child Matt
[/list]

Perfect husband Tom! /importthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

"sometimes all thats left to honor the bond is tears... I cry with honor"

Full time volunteer advocate: " A voice and a pen for the bad kid"

( bad kid defined as ANY child not fitting the cookie cutter mold of todays educational administrators )

Jerri McCarthy

 

Jerri,
I apprieciate the points on checking the school out...I am using them and other input from a list I am on and also from difficult child's therapist.I am going to definetly take alot of their valuable time as my questions are numerous.I am a trying to discern the SD SPED
person's true motives though,as recently SD has been moving alot of their non public school kids to this placement.I must say that the SD for the most part has been in appearances very much willing to follow IDEA.I have had to opportunity to talk to people who were connected to the nps that the SD used in the past and have not heard positive from any of them..this includes a former teacher,a former employee and several parent. I will let you know what happens and prior to the meeting I will post a sort of Copy of what I am going to ask edited for privacey reasons lol

 

[Jerri]

Great!!

Sounds very good.. please keep me posted!

Hugs N Love!!!

Jerri

------------------
Founder: PRIE Parents Rights In Education

5 kids,<ul type="square">

[*]21 yo difficult child Rich
[*] 20 yo easy child Joe
[*] 19 yo difficult child Billy
[*] 14 yo easy child Stacie
[*] 11 yo difficult child Matt
[/list]

Perfect husband Tom! /importthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

"sometimes all thats left to honor the bond is tears... I cry with honor"

Full time volunteer advocate: " A voice and a pen for the bad kid"

( bad kid defined as ANY child not fitting the cookie cutter mold of todays educational administrators )

Jerri McCarthy

 

Hi Jerri,
I made a list of questions from info from this board,The Bipolar Child book pages 291-293 and a pamphlet from NAPSEC.Any feedback is welcome.
School Information
Name of School_______________________________
Address_____________________________________
Phone #_____________________________________
Director's Name_______________________________

*********************************************************************
SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
1-What is the student to teacher ratio?______________
How many aides?__________
2- My child has been identified as gifted are there other gifted
and talented students in the class my child would be in?
______________________________________________
3-Is there computer access?________________________
4-Is the academic program adjusted according to student's
variation in energy level,mood and motivation?___________
_______________________________________________
5-Can I have a copy of the daily schedule?
6-Is all staff trained and inserviced in re to childhood mood
disorders,more specifically the awareness that what is
commenly labeled as "behavior"is part of an illness that at
times the child has very little if any control over__________
7-What type of reward system do you have?_____________
________________________________________________
8-What type of discipline do you use__________________
________________________________________________
9-Do you have a "quiet room" ________________________-
9a-What is it like?__________________________________
9-b Are the children watched in QR___________________
10-What type of restraining is used?__________________
11-Is the staff familiar with LEE (low expressed emotion)___
12-Is the staff trained to observe to take into account the
variations and fluxs of mood disorders ______________
13-How are the students grouped? by age___by grade_____
by ability____ by behavior____by DX______
14-Do you have a psychiatrist on staff?________
15- Do you have a psychologist on staff?___
16- What other mental health professionals are on staff?
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
17-Do you have psychiatric nurses and aides?_____
how many______
18-Will your psychiatrist consult with our psychiatrist?_____
19-Is there therapy and counseling?_______
20- Are there groups?___Social skills groups?____
21-Is there family therapy?____Are there family groups?___
Is it required?______
22- Do you call parents?_____
23- Are school related problems handled at school?_____
24-Do you have a wraparound program to help with keeping
the "program" the same at home as it is at school?______
25-Do you provide parental training?______
26-Are your transportation providers holders of a current
School Bus Drivers certificate?_______
27-Do your busses have aides on them?____
28-Are your busses subject to the California Highway Patrol
inspections and certification?_______
29-If not what is the level of training and experience of the
drivers?_______________________________________
30- If the vehicles are not Certified by the CHP as school
busses,who oversees the maintainance of the vehicles?____
_______________________________________________
31-Is the vehicle inspected daily?____What about a
mainainance schedule?_______Can these records be
viewed?____
32-How long a bus ride will my child have to your school
seeing that we live 35.31 miles from your facility?_____
33-Could my child be seated with other students on the bus
who could possibly harm him?_____________________
34-Will my child be monitered at all times?____________
35-My child must never under any circumstances be left
alone with another student,can this be complied with?____
36-If my child gets ill and needs to go home who must
transport him home?________________________
(I am at times unable to do this and it would present a
financial burden)
37-What type of recreation is provided for the students?
____________________________________________ -
38-Can I see the entire facility?______
39-Is there provision for daily communication regarding
concerns about my son's progress,by the school,or my the
parents?______________________________
40-Do you have a cafeteria?_____Or must a sack lunch be
provided?___________
41-What is you school year schedule?_______
school year ends___ Summer school begins_____school
year begins_____
42-Do you offer "summer school"?____________
Thanks Love and Hugs,
Lisa jdbjdb

 

[Jerri]

Lisa!!!

Wow!!! You are awesome!!!

Thats an incredible list!

I am sending it to the archives right this minute!

Thank you so much for doing this and sharing it with all of us!

Hugs N Love!!!

Jerri

------------------
Founder: PRIE Parents Rights In Education

5 kids,<ul type="square">

[*]21 yo difficult child Rich
[*] 20 yo easy child Joe
[*] 19 yo difficult child Billy
[*] 14 yo easy child Stacie
[*] 11 yo difficult child Matt
[/list]

Perfect husband Tom! /importthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

"sometimes all thats left to honor the bond is tears... I cry with honor"

Full time volunteer advocate: " A voice and a pen for the bad kid"

( bad kid defined as ANY child not fitting the cookie cutter mold of todays educational administrators )

Jerri McCarthy