Computer Science in MCPS; my kid is utterly lost

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been through this with my oldest. Not this class in particular, but more like all of them. He did not have the capabilities to do much better than a D final grade for most classes. He had a great IEP and it was being followed. He just lacked the capabilities.

You cannot define success for you child by looking at what other kids do. When a kid is not capable of getting a good grade in a class, success if defined by doing what it takes to meet the graduation requirements. In this case, a D is what it takes. So, if her grade will average out to a D if she fails this semester, then failing this semester will be a success for her because she will meet the graduation requirements.

OP isn't doing that though. OP wants her kid to get some help being shown what to do. That doesn't seem all that wild. You are projecting, not reading.

In her original post, which was when this response was made, OP said "She’s basically asking permission to just give up and take the E, which will give her a D for the semester." It was, and still isn't, clear that OP's child can pass this course.

I actually think the real issue here is a school fail and maybe a parental fail. Why was she put into an advanced CS class and why did it take until 20 days before the end of the school year before anyone realized this child was in a class that was too advanced and not necessary for graduation. A basic CS class would have met the graduation requirement and that clearly is not what OP's child is taking.

OP also said no one is worried about her DD. And, they don't need to be because OP's DD will pass and graduate even if she fails the quarter given her C in the last quarter. Had she gotten a D in the last quarter, everyone would be scrambling because she would need at least a D this quarter to graduate.

Most teachers and school admin don't care. OP clearly does if they have a tutor and she's posting here asking for help. She is in the regular class but the teacher sounds like they are teaching it like AP. Sometimes classes are combine and the teachers teach at a higher level. We have that for Spanish and its a nightmare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been through this with my oldest. Not this class in particular, but more like all of them. He did not have the capabilities to do much better than a D final grade for most classes. He had a great IEP and it was being followed. He just lacked the capabilities.

You cannot define success for you child by looking at what other kids do. When a kid is not capable of getting a good grade in a class, success if defined by doing what it takes to meet the graduation requirements. In this case, a D is what it takes. So, if her grade will average out to a D if she fails this semester, then failing this semester will be a success for her because she will meet the graduation requirements.

I think this is good advice. It is 2nd semester senior year. OP's DD will graduate. It is okay to not make a good grade in this class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been through this with my oldest. Not this class in particular, but more like all of them. He did not have the capabilities to do much better than a D final grade for most classes. He had a great IEP and it was being followed. He just lacked the capabilities.

You cannot define success for you child by looking at what other kids do. When a kid is not capable of getting a good grade in a class, success if defined by doing what it takes to meet the graduation requirements. In this case, a D is what it takes. So, if her grade will average out to a D if she fails this semester, then failing this semester will be a success for her because she will meet the graduation requirements.

I think this is good advice. It is 2nd semester senior year. OP's DD will graduate. It is okay to not make a good grade in this class.

I wouldn’t be comfortable trusting this teacher would give a D though. I’d be more proactive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need to make her do it. A disability is not an excuse. She doesn’t feel like she can do it means she’s not trying.

Make her do it? What the F does that mean? She has been going to lunch for help. She has pretty profound dyspraxia and leaning disabilities but has a good GPA because she works her a$$ off. That was remarked upon in her recent IEP meeting (last one before graduation). Why are you on the SN board?

DP. I agree, it sounds like she needs to get the robot part of the project going so that she can start the next part. If it's a required class, then any of her friends will have taken it or is currently taking it. They can help her with the robot so that she can move on to the rest of the project. She needs to get passed this. What she's currently doing isn't working, so she needs to get heip some other way.

Ma’am this is the SN board.

The SN board where every parent thinks their child is a princess and should never be held accountable for anything because disability.

Why is this post still here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been through this with my oldest. Not this class in particular, but more like all of them. He did not have the capabilities to do much better than a D final grade for most classes. He had a great IEP and it was being followed. He just lacked the capabilities.

You cannot define success for you child by looking at what other kids do. When a kid is not capable of getting a good grade in a class, success if defined by doing what it takes to meet the graduation requirements. In this case, a D is what it takes. So, if her grade will average out to a D if she fails this semester, then failing this semester will be a success for her because she will meet the graduation requirements.

I think this is good advice. It is 2nd semester senior year. OP's DD will graduate. It is okay to not make a good grade in this class.

I wouldn’t be comfortable trusting this teacher would give a D though. I’d be more proactive.

She doesn’t need a D. Even if she fails this quarter she will get the credit because she has a C the previous quarter. There is no risk. The school would be going crazy if she wasn’t on track to graduate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been through this with my oldest. Not this class in particular, but more like all of them. He did not have the capabilities to do much better than a D final grade for most classes. He had a great IEP and it was being followed. He just lacked the capabilities.

You cannot define success for you child by looking at what other kids do. When a kid is not capable of getting a good grade in a class, success if defined by doing what it takes to meet the graduation requirements. In this case, a D is what it takes. So, if her grade will average out to a D if she fails this semester, then failing this semester will be a success for her because she will meet the graduation requirements.

I think this is good advice. It is 2nd semester senior year. OP's DD will graduate. It is okay to not make a good grade in this class.

I wouldn’t be comfortable trusting this teacher would give a D though. I’d be more proactive.

She doesn’t need a D. Even if she fails this quarter she will get the credit because she has a C the previous quarter. There is no risk. The school would be going crazy if she wasn’t on track to graduate.

She still needs to try and put in some effort. OP, reach out to the teacher and see what you can find out about the assignment and what you can do at home (i.e. buy a robot, etc).

[Anonymous]

OP, With only 20 days to go, you’re not going to get an IEP meeting in time. I’d email the teacher politely stating the problem and ask for the name of the kit. Cc the CM. If you don’t get a reply in a week, copy the email and send it again, this time including the admin. If you don’t get a response in a week, resend the email again, including whoever is over the admin. They do not want a paper trail indicating that they are not following the IEP. The teacher is clearly pulled in multiple directions, and I feel for her, but your daughter needs help at home, and you can’t do that without the kit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, With only 20 days to go, you’re not going to get an IEP meeting in time. I’d email the teacher politely stating the problem and ask for the name of the kit. Cc the CM. If you don’t get a reply in a week, copy the email and send it again, this time including the admin. If you don’t get a response in a week, resend the email again, including whoever is over the admin. They do not want a paper trail indicating that they are not following the IEP. The teacher is clearly pulled in multiple directions, and I feel for her, but your daughter needs help at home, and you can’t do that without the kit.

This is good practical advice although I have also found that asking for an IEP meeting can spur immediate action. I also wouldn’t wait a week for a response given the short amount of time.

[Anonymous]

OP, what accommodations are already in place?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, what accommodations are already in place?

The accommodations she definitely utilizes: extra time, breaking tasks down into smaller parts, repetition of instructions with examples/demonstration.

I emailed the teacher to ask if DD can bring the parts home or if we can buy a kit. She responded that while that isn’t possible due to school policy, DD doesn’t have to wait until her robot is finished to start programming; she can join another group that has finished the robot and go from there (I didn’t mention in my OP that DD has a partner who is equally stuck, while the rest of the rest of the class has moved forward). The teacher said that in the meantime, DD will have an incomplete on the robot until she’s able to (hopefully!) finish it during lunch period(s).

Of course, DD is nervous to join a new group for programming, because she anticipates she will have nothing to contribute and will be embarrassed by the whole thing (especially as a senior) but I think it is a reasonable suggestion. She plans to keep going at lunch, but without the teacher’s actual hands-on guidance, I don’t know if she’ll get any further with the robot. I did make it explicitly clear in the email that DD is at a standstill. I don’t know if she has actually read the IEP.

[Anonymous]

^if the teacher has read the IEP

[Anonymous]

I’d email the teacher and CC your case manager for the IEP. I’m the email id ask for two things:

1) scaffolding. You can’t ask someone to jump
from step 3 to 47 if they dont know what to do in between. Can the teacher help identify what the missing pieces are and what she needs to do to progress? Offer that some of that can be done at home etc. I think it would be good for everyone to have it articulated where she is and what steps need to happen to complete it.

2) I’d specifically ask teacher would be willing to meet with her at a time different than the AP kids. It’s scary to ask for help especially when juxtaposed against the kids who not only get it, but are excelling. I wonder if a couple of focused sessions after school would do wonders?

[Anonymous]

Ask the teacher what the name of the kit or product is. Or even a very similar product. That’s a completely different question to asking to bring it home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask the teacher what the name of the kit or product is. Or even a very similar product. That’s a completely different question to asking to bring it home.

Or tell your kid to ask one of the smart younger kids what it is. They would probably know.

[Anonymous]

If this class is required for graduation and your daughter is in danger of failing, I would definitely be aggressive about getting your daughter help. I would ask to meet with the teacher and your daughter after school or during the teacher’s planning period. If the teacher is not responsive, start cc’ing the assistant principal for your grade level or formally request an IEP meeting to discuss adding needed accommodations.