What Else can I do

[JJJ]

I am just in need of a rant.

Ok, I am having issues with my youngest at school. He is really behind in his classes and I don't feel the school is doing anything to help me. On Mon I received a note saying that my boy didn't turn in his homework. When I ask him about it he said it was in his backpack but the teacher didn't let him grab it from his backpack (in class closet). I put a note back asking why he couldn't grab his backpack and this was her responce:

"No ma'am, his suppose to get all his stuff from his backpack when he sits down."

She also went on to say she couldn't get him in Saturday tutorial because he wasn't interested in it. I am beyond furious. I wrote back saying it was very silly not to let him grab his homework from his backpack (since I did buy the backpack so he could put his homework in there) and silly that the backpacks had to stay in closet (which I know that could be arguable). I think she got mad because I e-mail the principle about having my boy tested for dyslexia. Which I had talk to her about and my sons counselor at school. It took almost 5 months for them to send me the papers for testing and that's only after I e-mail the principle. My boy is behind and I even drop classes to stay home and tutor him. He needs a professional who specializes in understanding how he learns to help him. She has told me his not mature, goodness his 10yrs old and he doesn't care to improve, well of course not his being put down left and right. First month in her class and she was already telling me if I think is best if he repeated the 5th grade His starting to act up in class and to my understanding that's normal for kids who fall behind.

I don't know who else to talk to in school. She also told me he needs a tutor. Well DUH!!! he does. He doesn't need a high school tutor that does this for lunch money he needs a professional that knows how to handle teaching special needs. Just to make things clear his not in special ed but he has trouble understanding how to read. He reverses his D and B and can't tell me what he just read. I would think those are huge hints for a teachers to grasp. Ok I'm done for now.

[judy]

I typed a long answer to you, and I lost it Jessica!

Anyway, the short version is that my grandson was having a terrible time in school. My daughter was at the school, or on the phone, every day to get him what he needs. I even got the Board of Ed. involved. Needless to say, they do not like us at the school, but they do the right thing now!

Jessie took Brandon to be tested privately because she does not trust the schook system. He was given an IEP, and got lots of wonderful services, his grades went way up, and it made such a difference. Last year, the two 4th grade teachers were horrendous! Jessie made sure that these two are not teaching classes anymore! It really affected Brandon though, and he became school phobic, and then had to go to the hospital for an appendectomy. This year is much better, but she always keeps an eye on what is going on with his teachers.

You have to be an advocate for your son. As you can see, if you don't take over, they take 5 months to get the papers in!

I was a teacher, and I will tell you that you cannot wait for the school to do what needs to be done. Even the best schools have so many kids, they can't take the proper care of each one.

Your son's teacher sounds like an idiot, by the way.

[JJJ]

Thank you Judy. I talk to the counselor, vice principle and even front desk. I was able to put him in intervention reading which I had ask for it in the beginning but since he had pass the state exams they said no. I told them he pass because he was getting intervention in his old school. They finally sent the papers to have him tested so I hope the test is done fast. I wanted to test him outside but my boy insurance will not cover it I have no idea how much they cost.

I will keep on them but its so frustrating especially when I don't know where else to turn to for help.

[judy]

It really is very frustrating!!! Keep working on it....it will pay off, and good luck.

Come rant here whenever you need!

[gja1000]

I echo Judy's advice, keep after the school, be the squeaky wheel. Like Judy, my daughter is a teacher, but she is not working now so she can keep after the school. My granddaughter Abigail has a really hard time with math, even when she works at it. She has a terrible algebra II teacher this year he's an unemployed NASA scientist and doesn't know how to teach. My daughter has communicated with the school almost every week and has managed to get extra tutoring for everyone in the class who needs it, which is almost everyone. The problem wasn't grades, what was happening was everyone was failing the tests so the teacher just curved the grades so it looked like everyone was passing, even though the kids weren't really learning. I'm sure many parents had no idea what was going on. Abi and my daughter knew Abi wasn't going to be able to pass the standardized tests at the end of the year, so my daughter has been after the school. She has talked to everyone multiple times. Just keep after them Jessica, be the squeaky wheel, you just have to.

[judy]

Good for her, Gayle!

I was that kind of mother. The principal knew how I liked my coffee! In middlle school, I got the math curriculum changed for the same reason. The guidance counselor lied to me about how many kids were passing. I told her she was lying, and she caved!

Jessica, you have to bring out the warrior in you when dealing with the school system where your kids are concerned. They don't mean to hurt the kids, but are too busy or don't know how, or whatever, and you have to be your son's angel.

[DianaB]

I think that you've gotten some good advice from ones that have dealt with schools. I agree......keep at them!!

From your description of your son's problems......it sounds like he may have comprehension problems. A couple of my kids had that problem and my husband does too. Something that helped is to have all kinds of reading materials around that he enjoys. Comic books......motorcycle magazines......whatever he's interested in and will pick up!! Good luck!!

[JJJ]

I am going to stay on them. I'm just not that good with words myself. The teacher is a really nice young women and I know she does try but she does get frustrated as do I. But that's why I wanted a professional to help him and stand at his level.

[judy]

It sounds like his teacher cannot give him everything he needs. If extra help is available, he should get it.

Stay strong Jessica!

[Janet]

You've gotten really sound advice Jessica. Ricky has ADD and the school wanted to do this and that, but I took him to a Dr. that specializes in this. The school would have been in charge and I didn't want that. Stay positive and stay strong.

[2tiredmom]

Sounds like good advice all the way around. My daughter in law is a special ed teacher and she so loves all of her kids. but about a month ago she had to call the sheriff on one 12 year old he started hitting her. Hope things get better soon for you and your son.

[JJJ]

They finally tested my son for dyslexia and said he does not qualifies for dyslexia services.

GORT 4 (Gray Oral Reading Tests)- he score 8% out of 13(the standard score)

Phonological Awareness- he score 21% out of 88

Phonological Memory- he score 73% out of 109

Rapid Naming- he score 35% out of 94

Sight Words- he score 29% out of 92

Phonemic Decoding- he score 42% out of 97

I don't really know what this means but from what I can see he score really low. I am fighting with my insurance to see how much they can cover to test him outside. Also, isn't a psychologist suppose to be doing the testing? It was a Instructional Specialist who tested him. Is this right? I just don't know what my next step should be

[gja1000]

I don't know what it means either, Jessica, but the scores do seem really low. Do you know a teacher who could look at the scores? I think there is a learning problem, but maybe not dyslexia. There are many many types of learning disabilities, and dyslexia is only one of them. Keep working to find the solution.

[Janet]

Yes....Jessica...like Gayle suggested, keep working to find the solution. So sorry you and your son are going through this. You may also ask your physician (if you trust his opinion) if he could recommend someone to help lead you in the right direction. I wish I could help in someway, but don't know how.

[gja1000]

Jessica, here a reply from a school guidance counselor to the scores: to your scores
" As far as your friend and this post, there's a lot of unanswered questions. I am not familiar with the GORT 4. And usually when I see testing results its not reported in percentages but percentiles. So I'm a little confused. There are many learning disabilities that don't have exact names like dyslexia. But its usually diagnosed when the overall IQ (or ability or whatever they " As far as your friend and this post, there's a lot of unanswered questions. I am not familiar with the GORT 4. And usually when I see testing results its not reported in percentages but percentiles. So I'm a little confused. There are many learning disabilities that don't have exact names like dyslexia. But its usually diagnosed when the overall IQ (or ability or whatever they call it) is in the average range but that a subset or subsets of the testing is a lot lower. The area that tests lower is where the "disability" is. Its not an exact science, unfortunately.

A psychologist definitely should have done the testing, including a psychological evaluation. They are also supposed to go over the results of the testing and what they are recommending with the parent and provide her with information about her rights. In NY, I know there are organizations for parents of students with disabilities that parents are given the contact info for. She should find out if they have that in Texas-I imagine they do- and definitely get in contact with them. If she can get a private evaluation covered by insurance, she should. But even if she cannot get it covered, it might be worth the money if she can manage a way to afford it. I would definitely get a private evaluation if it were my child.

If you or she has more questions, feel free to ask. I'd be happy to help if I can.
Be well!

it) is in the average range but that a subset or subsets of the testing is a lot lower. The area that tests lower is where the "disability" is. Its not an exact science, unfortunately.

A psychologist definitely should have done the testing, including a psychological evaluation. They are also supposed to go over the results of the testing and what they are recommending with the parent and provide her with information about her rights. In NY, I know there are organizations for parents of students with disabilities that parents are given the contact info for. She should find out if they have that in Texas-I imagine they do- and definitely get in contact with them. If she can get a private evaluation covered by insurance, she should. But even if she cannot get it covered, it might be worth the money if she can manage a way to afford it. I would definitely get a private evaluation if it were my child.

If you or she has more questions, feel free to ask. I'd be happy to help if I can.
Be well!