About to go around with son's school

[Bummer Knees]

It has been a week with dealing with the local schools.

My son Cody is in 7th grade, he has Autism and developmental delays.

I was checking his grades online and noticed he has an F in Social Studies. One of the test was locating and naming the contients.

Now I believe in challenging a student's learning potential. But it is beyond reason expecting him to know the continent’s .

Cody has an IEP plan and is to have assistance from a para-educator in the classroom. But I learned the student who has been harassing Cody is also in the classroom and the para is working with this student and not working with Cody since the students are not to be together.

Now this is beyond dumb!

Looks like another meeting at the school next week.

[sugarloaf]

I am glad to be apart of this forum. Just wanted to say, I feel your pain and I would talk to the principal about the situation. Does your town have a special needs school. Our town has a great school for Austim children.

[Bummer Knees]

Welcome to the forum sugarloaf.

Yes, I will set upp a meeting Monday, I believe it is time to have the yearly IEP now as last year's goals are not working, it was scheduled for the end of October.

IDEA is the federal law authorizing special education services to be delivered in the least restrictive enviroment.

Although some students may require a more restrictive enviroment while others may require the least restrictive enviroment.

My son's (IEP) documents the least restictive enviroment which for him is to be placed in the regular education classroom with supports in the way of accommodations. For Cody this would be a para reading the lesson to him, and modifying the cirrirulmn in the way of breaking down the lessons and shortening them.

He is not getting this which puts the school out of compliance with IDEA and a violation of the federal law.

[sonny1]

So sorry to here this Bummer. My sister is a school teacher for kindergardners and 1st graders in our city school district, she is supposed to be teaching students who have legitimate disabilities. However since our city,state is so lax on making people accountable for their part and responsibilities in society, she is more of a babysitter, referee and oh a punching bag! the principal tells her and other teachers that the students are her/their responsibility and to deal with it...ya see because they come from crack abusing, physically abusing homes where their parent/parents don't pay the rent, they spend it on drugs, alcohol etc., they bounce from one place to the next and have no positive role model. The parents expect the schools to raise their kids, feed them, clothe them etc. My sister and I have numerous times come out of pocket for blankets, coats, hats, gloves, sweatshirts, snacks etc. just to try and provide some basics for them to be able to focus a little bit in class....and the students who really need the help or really want to learn are always pushed to the way side. It never seems to be enough for the people who abuse the system all the way around. So I totally understand what you are saying. I hear about it everyday and my heart breaks. Until this state (NY) steps up and makes people take responsibility for themselves, their children, their actions, and truly gives them consequences, nothing will change, including the breakdown of the welfare system which is supposed to be for a helping hand up, not a way of life!!!

OK, now that I have literally gone off the deep end with that, I apologize. I am truly sorry for what you are going through with the school and how frustrating it must be for you and your son. I hope it gets worked out soon!!

[sonny1]

So sorry to here this Bummer. My sister is a school teacher for kindergardners and 1st graders in our city school district, she is supposed to be teaching students who have legitimate disabilities. However since our city,state is so lax on making people accountable for their part and responsibilities in society, she is more of a babysitter, referee and oh a punching bag! the principal tells her and other teachers that the students are her/their responsibility and to deal with it...ya see because they come from crack abusing, physically abusing homes where their parent/parents don't pay the rent, they spend it on drugs, alcohol etc., they bounce from one place to the next and have no positive role model. The parents expect the schools to raise their kids, feed them, clothe them etc. My sister and I have numerous times come out of pocket for blankets, coats, hats, gloves, sweatshirts, snacks etc. just to try and provide some basics for them to be able to focus a little bit in class....and the students who really need the help or really want to learn are always pushed to the way side. It never seems to be enough for the people who abuse the system all the way around. So I totally understand what you are saying. I hear about it everyday and my heart breaks. Until this state (NY) steps up and makes people take responsibility for themselves, their children, their actions, and truly gives them consequences, nothing will change, including the breakdown of the welfare system which is supposed to be for a helping hand up, not a way of life!!!

OK, now that I have literally gone off the deep end with that, I apologize. I am truly sorry for what you are going through with the school and how frustrating it must be for you and your son. I hope it gets worked out soon!!

[sugarloaf]

Here is an ideal - A public school in our area just held an anti-bullying rally. Several schools participanted along with many local businesses. It was to bring public awareness that bullying is real. You should work with the school board and the town council and try to form one in your area. Good luck to you.

[jayne]

Kathy,your school gets extra money because Cody is special needs.They like that extra money,Tell em if they cant do the job you can and will home school him.Right now schools are loosing funds like water thru a net they wont let loose of that money easy..Daniel excells at homeschool he is more confident and loving anytime we talk about going back to public school he clams up....bullies might have a problem with him now tho he is bigger and has been taught to fight back....I know most on here dont agree..but I am darn tired of bullies...mine know not to throw the first punch but after that they have the right to defend themselves wherever they are...a grown person wouldnt stand there and get the snot beat out of them why should a kid.

[Bummer Knees]

I have taught my kids, "Use your words not your hand"

As a teacher I taught and practiced this in the classroom and it worked great with the early childhood students.

Well Cody is in middle school now and this is not working as well.

He needs to defend himself but not throw the first punch, that is what gets him suspended.