Charters/Special Ed

[Anonymous]

Continuing from other hijacked thread . . .

Anyone have a good experience in a DC charter vs. DCPS with a child with a disability such as ASD or ADHD. Our services really lacking at charters. I hear great things about Two Rivers, but any experience at other schools. It seems like DCPS have more options even though people complain about the quality of services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Continuing from other hijacked thread . . .

Anyone have a good experience in a DC charter vs. DCPS with a child with a disability such as ASD or ADHD. Our services really lacking at charters. I hear great things about Two Rivers, but any experience at other schools. It seems like DCPS have more options even though people complain about the quality of services.

Bridges is an inclusion school that specializes in Special Ed, unfortunately it is only Pre-S/Pre-K. They haven't had their lottery yet though, and they usually run through their waitlist. So, if you are the poster who was wondering about Pre-K at Mundo Verde, you should give them a call ASAP. EL Haynes also has a good reputation for Special Ed, but they're already had their lottery. Same with 2 Rivers.

I'm not sure the problem is that charter schools don't have Special Ed services, some of them have good reputations for Special Ed. The problem is more that you can't automatically get in to one. Which is really the same problem that good DCPS schools have, too.

[Anonymous]

PP, thanks. I tried Two Rivers and had a bad waitlist number! I will look at Bridges.

[Anonymous]

My son was evaluated by Early Stages (mostly for fine motor issues) and didn't qualify for services, but at the conference where we went over his results I asked specifically about charters and whether his needs would be met there as well as they are at our current DCPS (which has a great special ed program, and where his teacher is working with him on these issues even without an IEP). They gave me some information about our son's/our legal rights in the charter environment, and invited us to call them back if anything came up. Your situation may be very different, but if you've been to Early Stages your main point of contact should be able to give you advice, perhaps even setting up a meeting to go over what a charter is required to provide for your child.

Of course, in the real world it may take some fighting before your child gets what s/he is legally entitled to re special ed.

And I second (or is it third?) the Bridges recommendation. My son was near the very bottom of the waitlist (I attended the lottery, and his was among the last 10 or so names drawn out of the hat), and we were offered a slot the first week of school.

[Anonymous]

if you are in a DCPS or a DCPCS, and you qualify for services, they are required by law to provide them. Now, given this, not all schools or charters are equal.

For example, some children thrive in montessori, others do not, and of course not all montessori are equal. So as a parent you evaluate which school is best.

We were in infants and toddlers, but did not qualify through early stages for services (sounds like you might be in a similar situation) Our delays were "only" 30% in a few areas of gross motor. We are at a charter and we just communicate with teachers on what the issue is, what to look out for and we do private therapy.

[Anonymous]

I can tell you I called E.L. Haynes and asked to speak with the principal about options with a child with ADHD. Radio silence, no call back. I have a similar issue when I called at Murch. I get the feeling that principals will not ignore your child if you actually get in, but they are not throwing out the welcome mat.

DCPS is nearly pathological in its inability to deal with kids with disabilities. Thus the mess we have with the privates and all the money that goes in that direction. I have had friends in DC that had pediatricians tell them if they wanted to help their child to move from DC, preferably to Montgomery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can tell you I called E.L. Haynes and asked to speak with the principal about options with a child with ADHD. Radio silence, no call back. I have a similar issue when I called at Murch. I get the feeling that principals will not ignore your child if you actually get in, but they are not throwing out the welcome mat.

DCPS is nearly pathological in its inability to deal with kids with disabilities. Thus the mess we have with the privates and all the money that goes in that direction. I have had friends in DC that had pediatricians tell them if they wanted to help their child to move from DC, preferably to Montgomery.

This is actually what our doctors have told us. I am getting frustrated and anxious about sending my son to a public school in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son was evaluated by Early Stages (mostly for fine motor issues) and didn't qualify for services, but at the conference where we went over his results I asked specifically about charters and whether his needs would be met there as well as they are at our current DCPS (which has a great special ed program, and where his teacher is working with him on these issues even without an IEP). They gave me some information about our son's/our legal rights in the charter environment, and invited us to call them back if anything came up. Your situation may be very different, but if you've been to Early Stages your main point of contact should be able to give you advice, perhaps even setting up a meeting to go over what a charter is required to provide for your child.

Of course, in the real world it may take some fighting before your child gets what s/he is legally entitled to re special ed.

And I second (or is it third?) the Bridges recommendation. My son was near the very bottom of the waitlist (I attended the lottery, and his was among the last 10 or so names drawn out of the hat), and we were offered a slot the first week of school.

We are actually going through the process now with Early Stages and determining eligibility for an IEP or 504 with services. I am planning to ask about charters, so thanks for the advice. I have read good things about Bridges, but I also wonder what our long term solution will be!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can tell you I called E.L. Haynes and asked to speak with the principal about options with a child with ADHD. Radio silence, no call back. I have a similar issue when I called at Murch. I get the feeling that principals will not ignore your child if you actually get in, but they are not throwing out the welcome mat.

DCPS is nearly pathological in its inability to deal with kids with disabilities. Thus the mess we have with the privates and all the money that goes in that direction. I have had friends in DC that had pediatricians tell them if they wanted to help their child to move from DC, preferably to Montgomery.

Not to throw salt on the wound, but were you actually accepted into either of those schools? Both of them have waitlists in the hundreds. A random phone call from someone who is interested in their Special Ed program - when they've got 400 or 500 other families calling (some of whom are actually enrolled or have been accepted) just can't be expected to automatically hit the top of the priority list.

I'm saying this as a Special Ed parent, btw. I certainly feel your pain and frustration! But the key to winning in public schools is to understand the rules of the game. If you qualify for Special Ed services, you won't get anywhere calling the individual school (unless you've already been accepted). Don't mess around. Call Kaya Henderson's office and say that you need special education services for the upcoming year. If you are considering a private placement, be sure to mention that. Let them know that if someone doesn't contact you regarding special education services, you're considering working with a lawyer to get a private placement which DCPS can pay for.

They'll call you.

Before they do, you need to know what you want. Do you want a one-on-one aide at your local, inbounds DCPS? Do you want a special ed placement at a West-of-the-Park school? (I hear Hyde and Lafayette have good programs.) Have this figured out BEFORE you drop the neutron bomb.

Good luck, and consider posting to the Special Education board (which is much friendlier than this one) for more advice.