Fairfax County (or other VA schools) -- what is the process for repeating a grade?

[Anonymous]

A friend is concerned that her child is ADHD and possibly learning disabled. (sweet kid with good behavior, just can't focus or get work done). He has recently been seen by a psychologist (the school wouldn't do it, so they went through their insurance) and is now taking the least amount of ADD meds he can to make it through the school day. Apparently there is some improvement... but he is not at the benchmarks for first grade. The mom thinks it might be a good idea to have him repeat first grade. She is upset that the school has been uninterested in getting involved with this child (they told her they don't asses until the child is 7). The principal said that a committee must decide whether a child can be held back to repeat a grade. Does anyone know what the process is for repeating a grade? Does the County avoid this because they have an obligation to meet the child's needs (with an IEP) while keeping the child in the correct class for his age?

Any experiences?

[Anonymous]

I suggest that your friend get in touch with the Parent Resource Center for advice.

http://www.fcps.edu/cco/prc/

The staff there can advise how to best proceed.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the link, but I don't see specific information about the retention policy. Could you direct me further or share experiences?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Once a child has started school, they are very reluctant to retain a child. In general, it is considered better to promote the child and offer them intensive intervention in their age appropriate grade.

Your friend needs to ask for an IEP. In FCPS you start that process requesting the counselor to set up a local screening meeting for an IEP. Since her child is not meeting grade level benchmarks and has a diagnosis, then I think an IEP is the most appropriate (vs. a 504 which is just accommodations).

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, it is true that the school does not take this seriously unless there is a huge problem or they finally see it when the child is older - 2nd? (As a parent I have always read by the end of 3rd grade all kids should be at a certain place.) This happened to a good friend. She saw things all along but her child was an easy going kid and the school kept saying maturation will help, kids learn at different rates, etc. So, here they are at the end of 2nd grade and the school called her in (she did not need to) and said we want to retain and we do not take this lightly. Probably would have been easier on the child if they had done this in K or at least first. I don't think it is anyone's fault in that kids do mature and learn at different rates and the schools can't hold back every time a parent is worried. But, I think it must be frustrating for the parent who says early on "there is an issue" but no one sees it or believes it.

[Anonymous]

Hmm, my experiences have been so different, but my son has an IEP and has been in FCPS since he was 2, in the developmental pre-school program because of a severe speech and language disorder. He is in kindy now and is going to repeat it because he is just so developmentally behind. It doesn't help that he's the youngest child in the class, having a September birthday. I told his K teacher that DH & I had decided back in November that he has to repeat K and she agreed at the time and now, given how much he is struggling. We have an IEP in late May. That's amazing to me that the parent is having so many problems with the school because it's so at odds with my experiences. The special ed teacher was also saying how repeating K or first grade isn't nearly as traumatic as a later grade. Our school has even been doing speech therapy with a a four year old after the parent was told she wasn't eligible for intervention through Devonshire.

I don't think they can promote a child if the parent doesn't agree. but maybe I'm wrong. I'd agree about getting an IEP immediately.