IEP Supported Classes

[Anonymous]

My 9th grade DD was recommended for honors algebra 2 this year. She has considerable challenges related to HFA but math has been one continual bright spot for her.

When she got her schedule she was placed in on-grade level algebra 2. I emailed the guidance counselor who told me that she had to be placed in it because her IEP says that she has to be in a supported class and the school does not offer a supported honors level class. He did say that we could convene an IEP meeting and change the requirement of math support.

Today her teacher approached her and asked why she was in this class because she is finishing so quickly, and now my DD wants me to put her in the honors level even without the support because she says it’s too slow (we are in MCPS do it has only been 3 days), but I am conflicted. I don’t want her to have behaviors due to boredom, but I also want there to be support if she needs it for breaking down word problems or testing in a quiet location.

Does anyone know what a supported class looks like in high school vs unsupported? Is there anything I can/should ask the school?

Thank you got any advice.

[Anonymous]

So much for the least restrictive environment. I would tell the guidance counselor to move her back to honors, and let the school figure out how to support her. At our MCPS school though, "support" is meaningless - it consists of a para who doesn't have the content or special ed knowledge to provide specialized instruction so they only provide crowd control. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

I am literally going through this right now with DC and an AP class. The resource teacher told me that we might have to make a change because DC needs a supported class but that’s not an option for an AP. This is DC’s strongest subject and the one that they have the most interest/motivation for. It was finally agreed that we will modify the IEP to take out the supported class. I wonder if we are at the same HS.

Oh and meanwhile we can’t get any supports for the subject they struggled in last year! It’s so frustrating.

[Anonymous]

Does she actually need support in math class? If not, switch.

Is she a strong enough student to do Honors supplement at home? If so, and you don't need the Weights GPA, stay.

If she needs support in math class, try to fight.

[Anonymous]

If her support is just for worksheets and homework, then go to honors and get the support during mascot time or at home or with a tutor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If her support is just for worksheets and homework, then go to honors and get the support during mascot time or at home or with a tutor.

This. I’m a HS teacher and a parent of a kid with an IEP. They can and should provide support in honors classes if it’s needed. But in your situation, is it needed? How does she need support in the classroom during instruction? I’ve had students in my AP classes who required one on one aids because of behavior. If it’s redirection or prompting to stay on task, a general ed teacher can provide those accommodations.

[Anonymous]

OP here- and thank you for your thoughts. I THINK she’d be okay without a support teacher as her math is really strong (English and history would be a no go), but I’m just not positive. She’s only had 3 days of high school and I don’t know how different it is. I’m also not sure how much support she got in math last year- it wasn’t something they told us. We always heard how great she was doing, but the focus was always on the classes where she had some struggles.

I think I’m most worried in her getting in over her head and then not knowing how to handle it. For example, having a group assignment and not knowing how to politely correct a classmate or how to interact.

If we switch her, are you allowed to get off the honors track later in the year or would she need to stay until pre-calculus?

Thank you all!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- and thank you for your thoughts. I THINK she’d be okay without a support teacher as her math is really strong (English and history would be a no go), but I’m just not positive. She’s only had 3 days of high school and I don’t know how different it is. I’m also not sure how much support she got in math last year- it wasn’t something they told us. We always heard how great she was doing, but the focus was always on the classes where she had some struggles.

I think I’m most worried in her getting in over her head and then not knowing how to handle it. For example, having a group assignment and not knowing how to politely correct a classmate or how to interact.

If we switch her, are you allowed to get off the honors track later in the year or would she need to stay until pre-calculus?

Thank you all!

I’m the parent above who posted about DC’s AP class. She can drop back to on-level 2nd semester if 1st semester honors doesn’t go well. That’s what mine did in math and science.

[Anonymous]

They have to provide the class and the support. The DOE put out a special letter about this because they knew kids with disabilities would be excluded from these classes.

[Anonymous]

Move her to honors. Switch at the semester if needed.

[Anonymous]

She can still get her extended time and testing in a quiet environment in a gen ed class without support. And I agree with others who said that the gen ed teacher can help her with things like breaking down assignments etc., In terms of the social support, her case manager could discuss this with the teacher. I think you can probably make this work.

[Anonymous]

I am so angry right now ready these posts.

I am sorry that they is what you and your child need to navigate and that the school system can not figure out how to support students the way they need to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They have to provide the class and the support. The DOE put out a special letter about this because they knew kids with disabilities would be excluded from these classes.

NP here. If you know where to find this letter, would you mind posting it?

[Anonymous]

If she doesn't need support-no problem go to honors. I have never heard of anyone getting decent support in honors unless they have in the IEP the student gets an aide. It moves quickly and the teacher does not have time or training to do much to support. I have known people who hired advocates and again, the most the got was an aide. This is FCPS though.

That said, it was silly the teacher did that. The beginning of Algebra 2 is all review. Plenty of students who belong in Algebra 2 find it easy. It's not the teacher's place to say a student is too advanced for a class during the first few weeks when no new material has been taught. You don't really know until you see how quickly a student learns and applies new material.

[Anonymous]

I just posted, but what any student can access is peer tutors of after school help or study hall help with math. Honors classes offer that to anyone. The teacher will certainly help some during classwork, but I think if I recall there are issues with regard to the fact a solo teacher cannot guarantee a certain level of support to one student at the expense of all the other students. That is why there are team taught non-honors classes. In an ideal world there should be support, but there is already a regular and sped teacher shortage.