FCPS - what if your kid needs a small classroom?
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Anonymous
| What if one of the accommodations/services needed in an IEP is a small class? Can FCPS provide that? What if another accommodation is AAP placement? Child does not need ED or LD classroom, which often are small, but AAP classes are huge. Thanks! |
Anonymous
| What is the disability that leads the child to need a small classroom? |
Anonymous
| I think the school will offer you a classroom with a lower student teacher ratio by adding an inclusion teacher or give your child options for limited distractions such as preferential seating or a break room, if they are over stimulated, but I don't think they can/will create a smaller class as an accommodation given that they only have so much staff and available space. |
Anonymous
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There is no "small classroom" service or accommodation. There is an accommodation called "Group size." That means that as needed, the child will have instruction delivered in a small group. It could be in another room or it could be inside the gen ed classroom.
The service delivery options is where it would be noted where a child receives services. If Option E is selected, then the child will be pulled out of the gen ed classroom and into a different classroom for instruction in the academic areas noted. For example a child could have math instruction in the special education setting only, but have reading/writing instruction in the gen ed setting with a special ed teacher pushing in for services and supports. The amount of time across a week that this happens is noted on the next page of the IEP. |
Anonymous
AAP is not an accommodation that is recognized. Neither are small classes without other diagnoses. Quiet place for tests is sometimes granted, so is more time for tests, reduced homework, positive behavior chart, frequent breaks (including having a mini trampoline available).... |
Anonymous
| I think it is a shame that FCPS doesn't have GT/LD classes--small size AAP classes. I am sure there are many children who would benefit. |
Anonymous
How would they get around Least Restrictive Environment? |
Anonymous
|
I'm in MCPS. My son is in PEP--I think it's called PAC in FCPS. He is developmentally delayed. In preschool, he has demonstrated that he is able to function in a classroom that has fewer people and that he is not able to function in large group setting.
At our annual IEP meeting which included goal setting for K, I brought this up. I was basically told there was nothing that could be done. Public school class sizes are what they are. After talking with many people, including our dev Ped, we are going to go private just to get to the small class sizes. I'm hopeful that the smaller number of people in the class will be enough support for him and perhaps overtime he will grow to be able to sustain a full day in a large group classroom. |
Anonymous
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We raised three daughters and the youngest has a cognitive disability in the same school system. One has to realize that there is only so much money in any school division budget and it can't go to meeting only the needs of those identified with a special need in budget planning and service delivery to all students. The typical education kids at all levels of their bell curve also deserve the same options of smaller class sizes, a range of instructional levels in classes etc. You need to focus on what your child's strengths as well as deficits are and find a placement that will continue to build on his strong points and that best will meet his need for academic supports. And you are right to think that perhaps one approach such as private in the early years might lay a good foundation for a later larger, more mixed learning environment. |
Anonymous
AAP must be an accommodation that is recognized, however. At least this is what I read on Wrights Law. Any opportunity offered to typical children must be offered to special needs children. If a typical child is offered an AAP curriculum, then a special needs child who is cognitively able to handle the AAP curriculum with accommodations, must be provided those accommodations. AAP is an educational opportunity offered to all children. FAPE requires special needs children receive proper accommodations to access the AAP education also. |
Anonymous
| Thanks, everyone. I'm OP and have been wondering whether FCPS is able to offer what we need. I have no interest in jumping through all the very long and arduous IEP hoops only to find we can't get the main thing we need. Obviously the answer isn't ideal for my kid and others in this thread, so thank you for saving me so much time, effort, and heartache involved in finding that out! |
Anonymous
You are correct in your interpretation of the law, but not in its practice in FCPS. They make it very difficult. They will allow an SN child in the class but the teacher are not trained for every SN and their experience is spotty. It really depends on the SN- ADHD and very high functioning ASD are most likely to be known as long as there are few behavior issues. Other SN is a crapshoot. IME, a strong LLIV program works best. |
Anonymous
And a small classroom is not offered. |
Anonymous
| The person who posted at 13:38 on 3/17 gave the most "spot on" explanation of how this works and this was our experience. If there are other kids in the class that also need additional support, they may make the pull out a small group if the kids have similar needs. |
Anonymous
Does your experience include small group instruction for AAP level curricula? |