My ds is going to a K-8 public school with 160 students total in the fall.
They only have 6 teachers total and limited staff. 20% of kids are speial
ed and they have a 0.8 resource room teacher.I had met with the
resource room teacher to look at my son's IEP and asked her if this was
an IEP that was appropriate for their school - she said 'generally yes' The
principal called me last week saying that she had concerns that all my ds
needs could be met since they have such limited staff and already two
other asd kids in the same age group. I said we felt strongly about the
school and I felt he'd do well there and we were coming. She said 'as long
as you understand that we do not have any individual help for him, we
will 'try' him and meet again with us 3 weeks after school starts.
Well his IEP does not call for 1:1. He has 20% pull-out for reading,
writing and social skills and he needs some accomodations in the
classroom setting and with the transition. Nothing fancy or unusual about
his IEP.
Apart from the fact that this is far from making us feel welcome what
can I actually expect from a school? I do expect them to follow the IEP .
Can they claim not to have the resources and say therefore he is not
appropriate? I want him at that school and if there are problems in the
first 3 weeks I want them to figure out how to fix it. I do not think that it
is appropriate to call parents and say that they have too little staff and
too many asd kids already. Wouldn't the school district have to provide
another para if that was the case? Am I naive? How does it work if a
school truely feels that they are overloaded on special needs kids?
The IEP is a law enforcable document. They are expected to follow it. Unfortunatley- that doesn't always happen, but you have to give the school a fair shot. School did not start yet. I used to always worry about what would happen in fall towards the end of the previous school yr. I have not been disappointed- so far. Give them a fair chance, but let them know you are there, and you will not go away.
Pull out of the 20% should be followed, as well as the rest of the things on the service page, and accomodations, as well. Look closely at your service page. Look VERY closely. Accomodations as well, of course must be followed.
The child's needs should be met, yes. And, no it's not fair to say to a parent 'we have little staff, and too many asd kids. It's not nice, but they did not break the law until the IEP is not being followed. Some schools do as little as possible but don't break the law in the process.
My son is going in to 5th grade- his service page is broken down by SUBJECT/example, Math, Science, SS, etc, etc..as well as WHAT specials he has support in,, example, Art, PE, Music. For example, Jer has support in PE and ART,- but not music, as he really doesn't need anyone. His WHOLE day is choreographed. The narrative on his IEP is very, very detailed regarding EVERYTHING thru out his day- down to lunch. And, of course, he goes 5x a week to the Sped teacher- that is on the service page as well. And, if- just if- Jeremy tells me something that doesn't seem right- I ask. Never be afraid to ask......
They can't walk on you. You are the best advocate for your child.
Good luck.
Gail
Also- my son is a K-8 school as well. This is good, as usually schools like this are pretty small.
You sound like you have an incoming Kindergartener, maybe. Find out the class size, etc, etc...
Jer started this k-8 in kindergarten, and it has been a great experience for him. They really get to know them. I actually work as a lunch monitor in the kids school- and i know I have gotten to know many of the kids.
Also, as for the accomodations- they can't even give Jeremy a test without modifying it, no essays, long answers- and that is not thru a para- that goes thru the sped teacher and classroom teacher...
Good communication is essential to make it all work.
I know I have had to get mad on occasion- but its for a good cause.
Gail