Child penalized for using extended time accommodation on homework

[Anonymous]

DD elected to use her extended time accommodation on a reading assignment. She wasn't able to complete her weekly reading and homework in the time provided, so on the day they were due she let the teacher know she would be using her extra time. Up until now the teacher has seemed reasonable about the reading assignments, supplying her with the audiobook, chunking the reading in her planner, and checking in with her about her progress. But, on the day the assignment was due, she had my child sit out from the group activity around the reading and then assigned her to complete the class activity independently as homework along with completing the homework she hadn't yet finished and the next homework reading assignment. If DD is already behind, how does it make sense to assign her more work and not give her the benefit of a group to support her?

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure I understand.

If your daughter wasn’t ready for the group work because she hadn’t read the assignment, then what else could the teacher do other than have her work independently? That seems like a reasonable use of time, actually. It’s providing your daughter with class time to catch up.

The work still needs to be done. (I wasn’t aware extended time applied to homework, too. That seems unusual, and I say that as a former teacher.) It seems your teacher is providing what your daughter needs: extended time. In this case, it’s happening as the rest of the class continues on to the next activity. That’s going to happen; the entire class can’t wait.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure I understand.

If your daughter wasn’t ready for the group work because she hadn’t read the assignment, then what else could the teacher do other than have her work independently? That seems like a reasonable use of time, actually. It’s providing your daughter with class time to catch up.

The work still needs to be done. (I wasn’t aware extended time applied to homework, too. That seems unusual, and I say that as a former teacher.) It seems your teacher is providing what your daughter needs: extended time. In this case, it’s happening as the rest of the class continues on to the next activity. That’s going to happen; the entire class can’t wait.

I agree. It’s not a punishment. Unless she has reduced assignments all assignments get assigned at the time the class gets the assignment.

Extended time is no gift really. I think it results in lots of extra stress for some kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure I understand.

If your daughter wasn’t ready for the group work because she hadn’t read the assignment, then what else could the teacher do other than have her work independently? That seems like a reasonable use of time, actually. It’s providing your daughter with class time to catch up.

The work still needs to be done. (I wasn’t aware extended time applied to homework, too. That seems unusual, and I say that as a former teacher.) It seems your teacher is providing what your daughter needs: extended time. In this case, it’s happening as the rest of the class continues on to the next activity. That’s going to happen; the entire class can’t wait.

Weird that you don't know that extended time applies to all work - homework, in class work, graded work, ungraded work and assessments/tests/quizzes. It's very common, IME.

This is a basic principle of teaching and part of best practices - learning and testing environments should be aligned. Whatever the disability is that creates the need for extra time on testing likely also creates a need for extra time on assignments. It is the student who decides how/when to use extra time not the teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD elected to use her extended time accommodation on a reading assignment. She wasn't able to complete her weekly reading and homework in the time provided, so on the day they were due she let the teacher know she would be using her extra time. Up until now the teacher has seemed reasonable about the reading assignments, supplying her with the audiobook, chunking the reading in her planner, and checking in with her about her progress. But, on the day the assignment was due, she had my child sit out from the group activity around the reading and then assigned her to complete the class activity independently as homework along with completing the homework she hadn't yet finished and the next homework reading assignment. If DD is already behind, how does it make sense to assign her more work and not give her the benefit of a group to support her?

How would the group have assisted her if she wasn't up to where they are?

Does her accommodation include not completing all assignments?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure I understand.

If your daughter wasn’t ready for the group work because she hadn’t read the assignment, then what else could the teacher do other than have her work independently? That seems like a reasonable use of time, actually. It’s providing your daughter with class time to catch up.

The work still needs to be done. (I wasn’t aware extended time applied to homework, too. That seems unusual, and I say that as a former teacher.) It seems your teacher is providing what your daughter needs: extended time. In this case, it’s happening as the rest of the class continues on to the next activity. That’s going to happen; the entire class can’t wait.

Weird that you don't know that extended time applies to all work - homework, in class work, graded work, ungraded work and assessments/tests/quizzes. It's very common, IME.

This is a basic principle of teaching and part of best practices - learning and testing environments should be aligned. Whatever the disability is that creates the need for extra time on testing likely also creates a need for extra time on assignments. It is the student who decides how/when to use extra time not the teacher.

It depends on what the IEP says. Some students might need extra time only on timed, in class assignments (3 hours instead of two hours for a final, for example), but not need time on assignments for which they get a week and need to plan their time. Extra time for assignments is generally not available in college and is often a double edged sword because then work piles up and students aren't ready for class/the next assignment.

[Anonymous]

I don’t see how this is a punishment at all. If the child was not ready for the group assignment then of course they should not participate.

[Anonymous]

You, parent, need to work with her at home to catch up on finishing homework. You can’t rely on her finishing in the classroom. The day isn’t twice as long! Dear parent chunk her work at home to keep her caught up each week. It’s more work on the parent but you are helping your dear daughter in the long run.

[Anonymous]

Extended time is typically for assessments not homework assignments.

[Anonymous]

Typically the accommodation you describe would be called something like flexible deadlines or deadline extensions rather than extended time. Just FYI. Extended time is the term used for extra time on timed assignments (which is mostly if not always in class work or tests). And I agree that the teacher's response is reasonable. Your child needs to catch up on the reading before she can do the next activity.

[Anonymous]

The group activity was based on the reading that your daughter hadn't finished so it didn't make sense for her to participate. It isn't a punishment; it was a reasonable adjustment in light of her need for extra time to complete the reading. I say this as a parent of a child with an IEP.

[Anonymous]

Isn't it your job as the parent to make sure she spends the time doing her homework?

[Anonymous]

The teachers sound like she is really trying! If she gave your child access to the audiobook why didn’t you help your child carve out time to listen to it?

[Anonymous]

You can write anything into IEPs. I read one that said extra time only if an assessment is over 20 minutes long, etc. so, 5 question Quick checks don’t count, for example. But homework is for home, Op. that’s on You….

[Anonymous]

How could she have participated in the class discussion, if she wasn't ready for it? Was the entire class supposed to put their learning on hold to help her catch up?

That seems rather beyond the pale.