Whitman HS: IEP challenges? Affordable private Dyslexia, ADHD tutoring options?

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry you are dealing with this in addition to other challenges, OP.

Situations like this are why I get frustrated by the DCUM posters whose only advice to potential MCPS parents is "Whitman or Bust" because a school like Whitman is not actually the right choice for every child.

Whitman has one of the highest rates of kids identified as having special needs in MCPS, higher even than the other schools that host SESES programs. However, the number of special education staff is not commensurately higher. So, staff are overwhelmed with a combination of kids with significant behavioral needs, kids with serious LDs but no or limited behavioral needs, and kids with minimal needs whose parents are holding on for additional time on standardized tests.

There's also an assumption that the kids in the middle group (LDs but no behaviors) are getting external therapies because of course everyone has time/money for extensive external support.

It's true that MCPS does dyslexia poorly in general, but there are a lot of other factors going into why OP is having a particularly bad experience at WWHS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you new to MCPS as well as Whitman or where you previously at an MCPS school?

If you already have an IEP you ideally have been through the process before and know exactly what supports your child needs, correct?

Thank you, we do have an IEP but the process in Montgomery County has been far worse than it was in DC previously. It's also a new school and team, so the way the plan actually is determined and delivered is different. The draft plan this year doesn't even have my child's diagnoses correctly listed, and the staff openly said they had barely looked at it before the required meeting. At my child's previous MoCo middle school, they promised interventions at the beginning of the school year that didn't happen until literally the last 1-2 months of school. It's hard to convey fully how much MoCo special education seems to be falling apart, and how little oversight or support there is for families.

Sorry to hear you are experiencing this. Best thing to do is approach this like a business professional. While I know there I emotion tied to this, you have to be clear, direct, and assertive.
1)Send a note to the IEP with Admin and the Counselor copied if they are not already part of the team. Clearly indicate you reason for writing (ie, followup +number, confirmation, scheduling, etc.).
2) List any concerns - Ex: Previous meeting did not meet standards or your expectations as the team came to the meeting unprepared by not having reviewed what existed in the current IEP. Ex: Clearly indicated the series being provided currently and why they are not adequate (ie the resource class, but the teacher not providing adequate support)
3) State would you need and are requesting - Ex: Per the meeting we agreed to x. Child needs x services in order to be able to fully access the school curriculum/environment and to ensure academic success.
4)Ask for someone from the team to respond by x date (be reasonable) to a) confirm receipt of the communication and b)provide an update on where things stand currently and next steps.

While you are waiting, schedule a meeting with the Resource Teacher to discuss the concerns/problems.

If you don't get a satisfactory response, place a phone call to get on a meeting on the calendar with the Principal, Counselor, and Special Education coordinator. If that doesn't work start going above people's head. Add in your schools DLAA (principal's boss). Copy in the Special Education supervisor from Central Office.

[Anonymous]

OP, moving to a wealthy area to expect more services is not how it works. How are you even affording to live there? You aren't going to get more due to health issues. You need to work with your child. If you are low-income, your child has medicaid and may be able to get some OT/ST/ABA or other resources through medicaid. MCPS offers Saturday school. You can move to a lower cost area and pay for tutoring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are wealthy in less you are on section 8 or low income housing program. Don't kid yourself. You can afford services, but you have to modifiy your budget.

I'm a disabled single parent with no income due to my health and seeking medical treatment currently. I'm applying for SSDI but the wait can be years, despite meeting all criteria. We are barely making it, but my son still deserves a chance to learn as much as a wealthy family's child does. My son's school is also largely inaccessible to me as a wheelchair user, despite me trying to request documents digitally and trying multiple times to attend family events there, as they keep the elevators locked, don't staff them with enough volunteers with passes, etc.

I know your post was meant in spite-- but I want to thank you. You've reminded me that no matter how hard our circumstances or how humbled I am by health or disability challenges, I'm still doing better than those with far more resources and ability, who sadly waste it to try and hurt, instead of help.

Your post is misleading as you have enough money to live in one of the most expensive areas. Move to something more affordable and spend that extra on tutoring and help for your child. Many of us struggle with our health. We live within our means and make it work. We get creative with getting our child the help they need. Your child has the same opportunities being in the same school. The issue is your child cannot handle that school placement and its not the right fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are wealthy in less you are on section 8 or low income housing program. Don't kid yourself. You can afford services, but you have to modifiy your budget.

I'm a disabled single parent with no income due to my health and seeking medical treatment currently. I'm applying for SSDI but the wait can be years, despite meeting all criteria. We are barely making it, but my son still deserves a chance to learn as much as a wealthy family's child does. My son's school is also largely inaccessible to me as a wheelchair user, despite me trying to request documents digitally and trying multiple times to attend family events there, as they keep the elevators locked, don't staff them with enough volunteers with passes, etc.

I know your post was meant in spite-- but I want to thank you. You've reminded me that no matter how hard our circumstances or how humbled I am by health or disability challenges, I'm still doing better than those with far more resources and ability, who sadly waste it to try and hurt, instead of help.

Your post is misleading as you have enough money to live in one of the most expensive areas. Move to something more affordable and spend that extra on tutoring and help for your child. Many of us struggle with our health. We live within our means and make it work. We get creative with getting our child the help they need. Your child has the same opportunities being in the same school. The issue is your child cannot handle that school placement and its not the right fit.

Wow...a lack of compassion for OP, who is on a wheelchair and limited income. Not easy for this person to just "move." They probably also get subsidized housing. They can just snap their fingers and go elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are wealthy in less you are on section 8 or low income housing program. Don't kid yourself. You can afford services, but you have to modifiy your budget.

I'm a disabled single parent with no income due to my health and seeking medical treatment currently. I'm applying for SSDI but the wait can be years, despite meeting all criteria. We are barely making it, but my son still deserves a chance to learn as much as a wealthy family's child does. My son's school is also largely inaccessible to me as a wheelchair user, despite me trying to request documents digitally and trying multiple times to attend family events there, as they keep the elevators locked, don't staff them with enough volunteers with passes, etc.

I know your post was meant in spite-- but I want to thank you. You've reminded me that no matter how hard our circumstances or how humbled I am by health or disability challenges, I'm still doing better than those with far more resources and ability, who sadly waste it to try and hurt, instead of help.

Your post is misleading as you have enough money to live in one of the most expensive areas. Move to something more affordable and spend that extra on tutoring and help for your child. Many of us struggle with our health. We live within our means and make it work. We get creative with getting our child the help they need. Your child has the same opportunities being in the same school. The issue is your child cannot handle that school placement and its not the right fit.

Go away PP.
OP I'm sorry for your situation and hope you find some support for your child. Whitman is notoriously bad because they depend on families to have the resources to do private services.
I'd file an ADA complaint for yourself. You have a right ot be able to access your child's school. I would ask for an observation and that way you can get a face-to-face with some staff, teachers and the IEP team. Usually someone from the IEP team will have to accompany you during the observation.

[Anonymous]

MLS EDUCATION in McLean. Tutoring. My children have benefited from working with MLS. Strongly recommend.

[Anonymous]

Cumulative 39 years dealing with MCPS, and 12 with Whitman, including one child with an IEP. The school is living off a reputation that maybe it deserved in the past, but is no longer warranted. Lack of student accountability, rampant grade inflation, ridiculous sense of entitlement are just a few of the problems. Another one is the lack of availability of on grade level courses. Either calling courses “honors” so they look better on a transcript or actually providing more rigorous courses is a joke if you force all kids to take them when some are unable or simply not interested in doing the work. The school is setup to support an ecosystem of haves and have mores, and if you and your child do not fit into a neat box of upper middle to upper class families with kids that are on a competitive college track and taking 10 AP courses you will be left behind in a heart beat unless you do the work and make them provide the services they are legally required to. Good luck - you deserve what you are entitled to.


Ps - maybe the flooding incident that closed the school for 1/2 a day, flooded 1/3 of the school and caused who knows how much money in damage was the result of a girl ripping a sink off the wall, but do you think the administration will hold anyone accountable? It may affect her chance to get into Harvard!

Pps - can’t wait for graduation when they ask all graduates with a certain gpa or higher (I think 3.8 but I don’t recall the exact number) to stand at a certain point in the ceremony. The overwhelming majority of kids stand, and based on the grade inflation that I have personally seen it is BS. We will tell our kid to stand regardless of what their gpa is just because it’s a joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are wealthy in less you are on section 8 or low income housing program. Don't kid yourself. You can afford services, but you have to modifiy your budget.

I'm a disabled single parent with no income due to my health and seeking medical treatment currently. I'm applying for SSDI but the wait can be years, despite meeting all criteria. We are barely making it, but my son still deserves a chance to learn as much as a wealthy family's child does. My son's school is also largely inaccessible to me as a wheelchair user, despite me trying to request documents digitally and trying multiple times to attend family events there, as they keep the elevators locked, don't staff them with enough volunteers with passes, etc.

I know your post was meant in spite-- but I want to thank you. You've reminded me that no matter how hard our circumstances or how humbled I am by health or disability challenges, I'm still doing better than those with far more resources and ability, who sadly waste it to try and hurt, instead of help.

Your post is misleading as you have enough money to live in one of the most expensive areas. Move to something more affordable and spend that extra on tutoring and help for your child. Many of us struggle with our health. We live within our means and make it work. We get creative with getting our child the help they need. Your child has the same opportunities being in the same school. The issue is your child cannot handle that school placement and its not the right fit.

Wow...a lack of compassion for OP, who is on a wheelchair and limited income. Not easy for this person to just "move." They probably also get subsidized housing. They can just snap their fingers and go elsewhere.

OP isn't saying they are in subsidized housing and doesn't say what limited income means. Its clear that she is married and they are ok, they don't have a lot extra. Many of us have serious health issues. We live within our means and figure it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are wealthy in less you are on section 8 or low income housing program. Don't kid yourself. You can afford services, but you have to modifiy your budget.

I'm a disabled single parent with no income due to my health and seeking medical treatment currently. I'm applying for SSDI but the wait can be years, despite meeting all criteria. We are barely making it, but my son still deserves a chance to learn as much as a wealthy family's child does. My son's school is also largely inaccessible to me as a wheelchair user, despite me trying to request documents digitally and trying multiple times to attend family events there, as they keep the elevators locked, don't staff them with enough volunteers with passes, etc.

I know your post was meant in spite-- but I want to thank you. You've reminded me that no matter how hard our circumstances or how humbled I am by health or disability challenges, I'm still doing better than those with far more resources and ability, who sadly waste it to try and hurt, instead of help.

Your post is misleading as you have enough money to live in one of the most expensive areas. Move to something more affordable and spend that extra on tutoring and help for your child. Many of us struggle with our health. We live within our means and make it work. We get creative with getting our child the help they need. Your child has the same opportunities being in the same school. The issue is your child cannot handle that school placement and its not the right fit.

Go away PP.
OP I'm sorry for your situation and hope you find some support for your child. Whitman is notoriously bad because they depend on families to have the resources to do private services.
I'd file an ADA complaint for yourself. You have a right ot be able to access your child's school. I would ask for an observation and that way you can get a face-to-face with some staff, teachers and the IEP team. Usually someone from the IEP team will have to accompany you during the observation.

You go away. This child is getting a lot of supports and OP wants more. They aren't going to get more. Be real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are wealthy in less you are on section 8 or low income housing program. Don't kid yourself. You can afford services, but you have to modifiy your budget.

I'm a disabled single parent with no income due to my health and seeking medical treatment currently. I'm applying for SSDI but the wait can be years, despite meeting all criteria. We are barely making it, but my son still deserves a chance to learn as much as a wealthy family's child does. My son's school is also largely inaccessible to me as a wheelchair user, despite me trying to request documents digitally and trying multiple times to attend family events there, as they keep the elevators locked, don't staff them with enough volunteers with passes, etc.

I know your post was meant in spite-- but I want to thank you. You've reminded me that no matter how hard our circumstances or how humbled I am by health or disability challenges, I'm still doing better than those with far more resources and ability, who sadly waste it to try and hurt, instead of help.

Your post is misleading as you have enough money to live in one of the most expensive areas. Move to something more affordable and spend that extra on tutoring and help for your child. Many of us struggle with our health. We live within our means and make it work. We get creative with getting our child the help they need. Your child has the same opportunities being in the same school. The issue is your child cannot handle that school placement and its not the right fit.

Wow...a lack of compassion for OP, who is on a wheelchair and limited income. Not easy for this person to just "move." They probably also get subsidized housing. They can just snap their fingers and go elsewhere.

OP isn't saying they are in subsidized housing and doesn't say what limited income means. Its clear that she is married and they are ok, they don't have a lot extra. Many of us have serious health issues. We live within our means and figure it out.

OP says she's a single parent in the follow-up post, and that she doesn't work while navigating SSDI. It sounds like a rough situation. Why so hostile?