Dyslexia in APS

[Anonymous]

Work colleague’s kid was not supported. Parents fought hard too. When suicidal ideation manifested, they yanked and put DC in Lab.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid was tested privately in 5th grade after APS kept insisting they were on grade level. Having the kid learn at home during Covid, it became crystal clear something was wrong. Decided to not bang my head against a wall with APS and did everything privately. Took results back to APS and they finally agreed that something was wrong. Private testing showed dyslexia, dysgraphia and a math disability.

By that point we knew APS wasn't going to work for us and we didn't bother fighting with them to get an IEP. We went to private school.

APS will actively fight you to test and support dyslexic kids. They don't have the resources to support it so they try everything they can not to help you in hopes you leave.

But they technically have to support or pay for private.
But this explains why 20 people showed up for are kick off iep for dyslexia and gifted. This after I provided a very through report from a private assessment.

[Anonymous]

All APS elementary schools will use a structured literacy program next year… likely heggerty and fundations. Next best thing to OG, which is $$$.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All APS elementary schools will use a structured literacy program next year… likely heggerty and fundations. Next best thing to OG, which is $$$.

I am so excited by this.

Won't benefit my kid but hopefully will help others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All APS elementary schools will use a structured literacy program next year… likely heggerty and fundations. Next best thing to OG, which is $$$.

I am so excited by this.

Won't benefit my kid but hopefully will help others.

Yes, me too!!

[Anonymous]

Many of the reading listserv advocates helped bring about this result. As a parent who was furious with her kid’s school when they shrugged off his dyslexia, and as a parent who was too overwhelmed to take on the system and instead left for private specialized school instruction, I’m so impressed with the Arlington reps who continue to fight for real results, which rarely come soon enough to benefit the children of those doing the heavy lifting. This is such an important community service and I’m in awe of the parents who find the time and emotional strength to bring real change. Kudos to everyone trying to improve reading instruction in APS!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many of the reading listserv advocates helped bring about this result. As a parent who was furious with her kid’s school when they shrugged off his dyslexia, and as a parent who was too overwhelmed to take on the system and instead left for private specialized school instruction, I’m so impressed with the Arlington reps who continue to fight for real results, which rarely come soon enough to benefit the children of those doing the heavy lifting. This is such an important community service and I’m in awe of the parents who find the time and emotional strength to bring real change. Kudos to everyone trying to improve reading instruction in APS!

Very true. I thank you, sincerely.
-APS teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many of the reading listserv advocates helped bring about this result. As a parent who was furious with her kid’s school when they shrugged off his dyslexia, and as a parent who was too overwhelmed to take on the system and instead left for private specialized school instruction, I’m so impressed with the Arlington reps who continue to fight for real results, which rarely come soon enough to benefit the children of those doing the heavy lifting. This is such an important community service and I’m in awe of the parents who find the time and emotional strength to bring real change. Kudos to everyone trying to improve reading instruction in APS!

+1

[Anonymous]

The reading group is an awesome resource. Other than "cancel" woman, not sure of the reference to APE types. Amazingly dedicated parents there.

[Anonymous]

Fundations is terrible. It has not helped FCPS at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fundations is terrible. It has not helped FCPS at all.

Really? How is it terrible, and what’s the FCPS situation?

Some APS schools are already using Fundations, btw. One example of the problematic way APS lets every school and principal chart their own course. (Or throws every school and principal under the bus, depending on how you look at it.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kid was tested privately in 5th grade after APS kept insisting they were on grade level. Having the kid learn at home during Covid, it became crystal clear something was wrong. Decided to not bang my head against a wall with APS and did everything privately. Took results back to APS and they finally agreed that something was wrong. Private testing showed dyslexia, dysgraphia and a math disability.

By that point we knew APS wasn't going to work for us and we didn't bother fighting with them to get an IEP. We went to private school.

APS will actively fight you to test and support dyslexic kids. They don't have the resources to support it so they try everything they can not to help you in hopes you leave.

more or less the same except McK looked at the private results and said they were on grade level so a 504 for reduced assignments. No IEP, no services. Child was not expected to do anything in 3rd or 4th. Literally turned in no work and passed everything. Now in 5th, at a private school, spelling on 2nd grade level but actually doing actual work. YMMV depending on the school which is good and bad. Kids should be able to read, write, and do math. That's the least they should do when exiting 5th from public school. I'm getting all hostile again. need to meditate.

It varies by school.

The McK (soon Cardinal) principal is known for being hostile to IEP kids. Actively tries and succeeds at driving them out.

Yep. PP with a 5th grader. We were McK and I knew better to even try to get an IEP. We didn't even bother and went private.

Good luck if you're at McK. You're going to need it.

CB is a mean-spirited bully! He’s yelled at me and other parents in public forums when disagreeing with our opinions. When I tried advocating for DS (teacher was no help) he called me into his office with current and former teachers and pitted me against them. I was only requesting minimal assistance for DS even before initiating IEP process. McK experience was a nightmare! DS caught up when we switched him to a private.

Wow. A new story that I've never heard before and I thought I heard every CB story. I'm sorry and thanks for sharing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Join [e-mail] . That's your best resource on this issue in Arlington. The people there are amazing.

Just a warning that some ignorant APE types on now and polluting it with nonsense.

how so? I haven't seen any APE stuff. That list-serv is laser focused on reading issues and the parents there give the best tips on how to advocate APS for what your kids need. Sadly lots of horror stories on that list too, but better resources OP than you will ever get here.

They posted about the school board and look for any opportunity to crap on APS.

They should crawl back into their hole.

So vile.

This is the problem with they as a pronoun...I"m pretty sure it's just one person. It killed me when they complained about their snowflake getting virtual dyslexia instruction in 2nd. Their school is very good at literacy and interventions. I would love for they to go to McK. They deserve each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fundations is terrible. It has not helped FCPS at all.

Really? How is it terrible, and what’s the FCPS situation?

Some APS schools are already using Fundations, btw. One example of the problematic way APS lets every school and principal chart their own course. (Or throws every school and principal under the bus, depending on how you look at it.)

Our school started using Fundations last year, when DC was in 1st. Would’ve preferred it in K, since the K teacher used 3 cueing and it was a b**** trying to break those bad habits. They are using Heggerty for all 2nd graders and it has been great! Between that and Lexia, DC is really doing much better. Spelling is still atrocious, but at least DC can sound out unfamiliar words when reading now. I hope every school implements these changes ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any info about the new curriculum?? Is it definitely fundations?