How colleges perceive Resource class for twice exceptional student

[Anonymous]

If he us seriously getting A's with that heavy course load, it should not make a difference .... keep in mind that 11th grade work level picks up significantly. I would keep it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why aren't all students allowed to take a resource class? It would benefit so many students that don't have support at home like students whose parents who didn't finish high school or struggled in school, english learners, students doing time consuming activities after school, students who have jobs, etc.
It seems strange that someone who is able to take AP World History, AP English Language, AP Calculus AB and Honors Physics is in a special education resource class with students trying just to graduate high school. I don't think a special education teacher is really going to be helping a student with AP Calculus homework.

This post shows some ignorance. Some students are "twice exceptional," that is they are gifted (high IQ) and have a documented learning disability and/or ADHD. They are entitled to public services for the disability. I agree that a Resource class could benefit many students, but the system just isn't set up that way. My child has never been in a Resource class, but I assume that the class has a very small number of students in it. A small class size costs the tax payers money. I highly recommend the AVID program to students whose schools provide this option - it basically provides a very structured study hall that helps to prepare students for rigorous courses and colleges. It is application-only. https://news.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/staff-bulletin/five-questions-with-troy-horsley-avid-coordinator-benjamin-banneker-middle-school/

[Anonymous]

OP, I like the idea of having your child be a Student Assistant when classes are back in the building. Most of the time, this student is free to do homework, but the SA's occasionally pass out papers or assist a substitute. Your child could alternatively sign up for an easy elective, like Photography, Piano, or Guitar. Or, see if the 504 could simply give your child a shorter schedule for 6 classes. Or, just stick with the Resource class. All will be ok.

[Anonymous]

If you are on Facebook, there is a group called College Transition and Accommodations Information for Parents. Similar questions have been asked or you can post. The group is very helpful and supportive and some college disability office professionals belong so they provide perspective as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are on Facebook, there is a group called College Transition and Accommodations Information for Parents. Similar questions have been asked or you can post. The group is very helpful and supportive and some college disability office professionals belong so they provide perspective as well.

Is the exact name of the group? I searched but didn't see it. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

We chose to give our 2e student two electives this year instead of a resource class but I'm not convinced that was the right choice as they are struggling with the workload. On the other hand, I wanted them to have 'fun' classes in their areas of interest in addition to the work.

What I don't understand is why 'homeroom' isn't a resource class. They all have it every day. Wouldn't it make more sense to make that the resource time for 2E students, or perhaps for everyone? It seems like a wasted period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 10th grader has an IEP for extremely low processing speed and ADHD, and goes to resource. Nominally it's to receive organizational help and catch up on work, but its value has actually been to lighten his load in terms of number of classes taken (6 instead of 7), so he doesn't have too much homework. Despite a high IQ, he takes all his available time on schoolwork, and nothing we've tried has worked to get him to speed up. We've tried to request a lighter course load, but the IEP team says it's teacher-dependent and so far there hasn't been much decrease in homework.

My question is, how will a Resource class look on a college application? He has mostly As so far in high school.
The school is asking whether we want to do away with Resource altogether, since he doesn't need the Resource teacher's help. However we are concerned about the 11th grade workload, when he will take AP World History, AP English Language, AP Calculus AB and Honors Physics, which will all be time-consuming in their own way, I imagine.
Is doing away with Resource a good idea? Could he replace it with something super lightweight in his field of interest, ie social studies? Could he replace it with nothing at all, or would this look equally dubious? He is on track to meet all his graduation requirements.

Thank you for your opinions.

Is there a study hall option?

Usually a lighter course load is done by taking fewer classes not by reducing the course load in each class. That is also how it works in college, usually. You can get extra time for a timed test but not for regular and long term assignments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A couple of thoughts:

1) ask your school how the resource class will show up on the transcript. What is the class called?

2) If your son needs resource to do well in his classes than he should take it. Although he doesn’t get help in the class, does he use that time to get homework done? Not worth taking it out of his schedule if he needs it to do well in his classes

3) Find the college that’s right for your kid. Don’t try to manipulate his schedule to “look better” for a college. It could be a very stressful and disappointing year.

NP. I love all of this advice, esp #3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are on Facebook, there is a group called College Transition and Accommodations Information for Parents. Similar questions have been asked or you can post. The group is very helpful and supportive and some college disability office professionals belong so they provide perspective as well.

Is the exact name of the group? I searched but didn't see it. Thanks.

That is the name- Elizabeth C Hamblet runs it now. She has a helpful book too.

I can’t seem to copy the link but I will hand type it: www.Facebook/groups/337012037088722
Try that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are on Facebook, there is a group called College Transition and Accommodations Information for Parents. Similar questions have been asked or you can post. The group is very helpful and supportive and some college disability office professionals belong so they provide perspective as well.

Is the exact name of the group? I searched but didn't see it. Thanks.

That is the name- Elizabeth C Hamblet runs it now. She has a helpful book too.

I can’t seem to copy the link but I will hand type it: www.Facebook/groups/337012037088722
Try that

I have the link now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/337012037088722

You have to answer all the questions to be admitted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why aren't all students allowed to take a resource class? It would benefit so many students that don't have support at home like students whose parents who didn't finish high school or struggled in school, english learners, students doing time consuming activities after school, students who have jobs, etc.
It seems strange that someone who is able to take AP World History, AP English Language, AP Calculus AB and Honors Physics is in a special education resource class with students trying just to graduate high school. I don't think a special education teacher is really going to be helping a student with AP Calculus homework.

This post shows some ignorance. Some students are "twice exceptional," that is they are gifted (high IQ) and have a documented learning disability and/or ADHD. They are entitled to public services for the disability. I agree that a Resource class could benefit many students, but the system just isn't set up that way. My child has never been in a Resource class, but I assume that the class has a very small number of students in it. A small class size costs the tax payers money. I highly recommend the AVID program to students whose schools provide this option - it basically provides a very structured study hall that helps to prepare students for rigorous courses and colleges. It is application-only. https://news.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/staff-bulletin/five-questions-with-troy-horsley-avid-coordinator-benjamin-banneker-middle-school/

the easier way to get your kid in if you want it is to get them a 504. If they want it too, it's not hard to get a diagnosis

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why aren't all students allowed to take a resource class? It would benefit so many students that don't have support at home like students whose parents who didn't finish high school or struggled in school, english learners, students doing time consuming activities after school, students who have jobs, etc.
It seems strange that someone who is able to take AP World History, AP English Language, AP Calculus AB and Honors Physics is in a special education resource class with students trying just to graduate high school. I don't think a special education teacher is really going to be helping a student with AP Calculus homework.

Resource isn't about getting help doing the homework. It's more about helping students with issues, such as executive function issues, get organized about what homework they have, what tests are coming up, how to plan their time to get the work done, etc. Or, when students do need help, facilitating that between the student and teacher. I agree it would be great if they could do it for every child, but that's just not possible within the schedule and budget.

And I'm with the other poster - take the class if that's what is best for your child and don't worry about what it does or doesn't mean for college. Strong courses with good grades plus resource is going to be better than strong courses with some bad grades without resource.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 10th grader has an IEP for extremely low processing speed and ADHD, and goes to resource. Nominally it's to receive organizational help and catch up on work, but its value has actually been to lighten his load in terms of number of classes taken (6 instead of 7), so he doesn't have too much homework. Despite a high IQ, he takes all his available time on schoolwork, and nothing we've tried has worked to get him to speed up. We've tried to request a lighter course load, but the IEP team says it's teacher-dependent and so far there hasn't been much decrease in homework.

My question is, how will a Resource class look on a college application? He has mostly As so far in high school.
The school is asking whether we want to do away with Resource altogether, since he doesn't need the Resource teacher's help. However we are concerned about the 11th grade workload, when he will take AP World History, AP English Language, AP Calculus AB and Honors Physics, which will all be time-consuming in their own way, I imagine.
Is doing away with Resource a good idea? Could he replace it with something super lightweight in his field of interest, ie social studies? Could he replace it with nothing at all, or would this look equally dubious? He is on track to meet all his graduation requirements.

Thank you for your opinions.

Is there a study hall option?

Usually a lighter course load is done by taking fewer classes not by reducing the course load in each class. That is also how it works in college, usually. You can get extra time for a timed test but not for regular and long term assignments.

I'm not the OP, but I can tell you that one of the reasons I pushed so hard for an IEP for my 2e son was so he could have access to the Resource class. Our high school does not have a study hall class so this was the only way he'd could have a free period specifically to get homework done.