what records?

[Anonymous]

We're moving on to an independent school, after failing to get appropriate accommodations for our child in the local school. What are some useful documents we should ask for and make copies of, before handing in our form? Are there any record-keeping bits we should be aware of?

Also, are we supposed to get any more detailed results from the SOLs before the school starts again? Will those actually reach us after we withdraw?

[Anonymous]

Grades and any testing that was done.

[Anonymous]

I would say to have a notebook or file of all testing that your child has ever had and any reports from therapists you might have used at least summaries to see what may have helped at all. So again from the school division the full report of the evaluation done including psychological and educational so that the independent school can review the information. Likewise reports on his progress if under an IEP from his teachers' written comments as well as grade cards, and any therapists reports.

I also think it is helpful to have written comments from you regarding how your child does in the home environment in terms of any areas related to his ability to learn in the school setting. This information could possibly include comments as his parent(s) about how he see/feels about himself as a learner, how he related to you his parents and to any siblings, his behavior in home setting, his ability to follow a routine at home, start/finish tasks independently or with how much assistance, his ability to focus etc. If is is likewise engaged in any age related community activities as with sports, scouting, church etc., it might help if you indicate how those experiences have gone for him as an individual and in terms of peer and adult interactions.

The fuller and more complete overall picture one can share with evaluators of any child, teen or young adult with a disability, the better are the chances that appropriate supports will be put in place and environments or other factors which might be a negative would be considered well ahead of time rather than coming as a surprise. A move without full information will not necessarily be helpful.