So annoyed with course registration at WJ

[Anonymous]

DS is an incoming student to Walter Johnson HS, and after an IEP meeting this spring, I contacted his counselor with his course requests for the upcoming school year, thinking that an early request would prevent issues like full classes. She kept putting me off, and trying to confirm an erroneous list of courses, and it dragged on until now, when she says one class he particularly wanted to take is full. If she had been more competent, he could have gotten into his initial pick of classes that had already been approved by his WJ IEP team.

Do you think I can contact the IEP team lead and ask her to intervene? This list was all set since March.

[Anonymous]

What class is it? There a more guarantees with electives, even with an IEP.

[Anonymous]

I would push for intervention yes. But condolences, all these counselors are total BS.

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure what this has to do with his IEP but I would definitely escalate it to a VP or Principal, especially if you have documentation of this request and her inability to do it properly.

[Anonymous]

If you have the specific class written into the IEP then they have to allow enrollment.

[Anonymous]

Did you put his course preferences in on the site, or just email them to the counselor? IEPs don't guarantee course placements except for inclusion sections. Contacting administration will just make you look like a psycho who doesn't get that your child isn't more important than any other child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did you put his course preferences in on the site, or just email them to the counselor? IEPs don't guarantee course placements except for inclusion sections. Contacting administration will just make you look like a psycho who doesn't get that your child isn't more important than any other child.

OP here. There was no way to input online directly, I had to go through a particular person. I contacted them in *March*, PP. At the time everyone told me there would be no problem, they'd get him registered. The admin person kept emailing me the wrong courses, I kept saying "no, this is actually the list that was approved", and so on, until TODAY, when she said, "oh by the way there's this one course I just checked and there's no more space".

Who does that?

It's not like we requested a course change at the last minute. I specifically tried to register him as soon as we could, right after the IEP team approved the schedule last spring.

[Anonymous]

Just remember, lots of kids that register right on time do not get every class they ask for.

[Anonymous]

The situation sounds frustrating, OP. I am not sure what course during 9th Grade is not interchangable with another class, but if it is truly a game changer, contact the IEP team, the ViceP, whomever, and fix the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just remember, lots of kids that register right on time do not get every class they ask for.

Hmmm... no, at least not at WJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is an incoming student to Walter Johnson HS, and after an IEP meeting this spring, I contacted his counselor with his course requests for the upcoming school year, thinking that an early request would prevent issues like full classes. She kept putting me off, and trying to confirm an erroneous list of courses, and it dragged on until now, when she says one class he particularly wanted to take is full. If she had been more competent, he could have gotten into his initial pick of classes that had already been approved by his WJ IEP team.

Do you think I can contact the IEP team lead and ask her to intervene? This list was all set since March.

Absolutely - contact the IEP team and ask for their support in navigating the process.
I would approach it from the POV that you need to circle back and have another meeting given that the course you had all agreed on was not available. And discuss how the goals / services might need to change to support a different schedule. When they realize the work that will need to be done, they typically find space in the class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you put his course preferences in on the site, or just email them to the counselor? IEPs don't guarantee course placements except for inclusion sections. Contacting administration will just make you look like a psycho who doesn't get that your child isn't more important than any other child.

OP here. There was no way to input online directly, I had to go through a particular person. I contacted them in *March*, PP. At the time everyone told me there would be no problem, they'd get him registered. The admin person kept emailing me the wrong courses, I kept saying "no, this is actually the list that was approved", and so on, until TODAY, when she said, "oh by the way there's this one course I just checked and there's no more space".

Who does that?

It's not like we requested a course change at the last minute. I specifically tried to register him as soon as we could, right after the IEP team approved the schedule last spring.

What do you mean there was nowhere to input the courses? Did you go to the course registration page? If all you did was email classes to the counselor, you missed a step. Tell Larlo it was your fault he didn't get the class he wanted and don't embarrass him by acting like his IEP puts him at the front of the registration line for elective classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just remember, lots of kids that register right on time do not get every class they ask for.

Hmmm... no, at least not at WJ.

Yes at WJ. They brag that the benefit of a big school is so many class choices, but my 2 children found themselves locked out of many of their choices over the years.

And, there will be movement during the first 2 weeks of school. If this is the issue which you want to battle, I would start with the head of counseling, include your original emails with the requests for xx classes and they ever approved by the IEP team. Copy the class AVP. That should solve the problem.

On the other hand, it could be that your counselor is trying to help you, and you don't even know it. Perhaps the course your child, and you, want, has a teacher that isn't good with IEP students. There are several at WJ who don't believe in them and think the students are trying to "put one over" on the school. No matter how much you and your child advocate, with one of those teachers, trust me, it won't make any difference. Even though it is the law. They don't care and will make your child miserable and you crazy.

I would touch base with a parent with older kids before you make too big of a fuss. Ask them which teachers/classes to avoid.

[Anonymous]

If it’s ceramics, they’ve decided not to allow any ninth graders in as it’s very oversubscribed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you put his course preferences in on the site, or just email them to the counselor? IEPs don't guarantee course placements except for inclusion sections. Contacting administration will just make you look like a psycho who doesn't get that your child isn't more important than any other child.

OP here. There was no way to input online directly, I had to go through a particular person. I contacted them in *March*, PP. At the time everyone told me there would be no problem, they'd get him registered. The admin person kept emailing me the wrong courses, I kept saying "no, this is actually the list that was approved", and so on, until TODAY, when she said, "oh by the way there's this one course I just checked and there's no more space".

Who does that?

It's not like we requested a course change at the last minute. I specifically tried to register him as soon as we could, right after the IEP team approved the schedule last spring.

What do you mean there was nowhere to input the courses? Did you go to the course registration page? If all you did was email classes to the counselor, you missed a step. Tell Larlo it was your fault he didn't get the class he wanted and don't embarrass him by acting like his IEP puts him at the front of the registration line for elective classes.

OP here. I followed directions. I'm not sure why this is so hard to understand. I was told to contact one particular person and not use the website. And yes, I was also told, very explicitly, that the IEP would give him priority for classes. Hence my surprise. Otherwise I wouldn't be on here complaining, PP!