FCPS Middle School for HFA/ADHD w/ IEP?

[Anonymous]

Can anyone tell me what FCPS special education looks like at the middle school level for their tween on the high-functioning end of the spectrum? We are visiting our local middle school this month, but I'd like to hear from people who are actually in FCPS about what their kids are getting. Our experience in elementary school has been underwhelming, and we've had to do a lot of academic supports privately. Kid is good at math and reading for factual information but struggles with writing (both handwriting and content) - has thus far been capable of general education-level work.

Moving is not an option for us for a variety of reasons, so if public middle school is going to be a shitshow, we'd do private before moving.

[Anonymous]

What middle school?

[Anonymous]

Thoreau in Vienna is our base school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thoreau in Vienna is our base school

It's a shame Jeff doesn't like cross-posting because you may get more people familiar with that middle school on the Virginia schools board. I just remind myself middle school is just 2 years. Also, keep in mind middle school may be a big entry year for private school so it may be harder to get in than usual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thoreau in Vienna is our base school

It's a shame Jeff doesn't like cross-posting because you may get more people familiar with that middle school on the Virginia schools board. I just remind myself middle school is just 2 years. Also, keep in mind middle school may be a big entry year for private school so it may be harder to get in than usual.

Yeah, most of the discussion in the VA schools board is back and forth about Thoreau v. Jackson and the AAP boundary situation. Every Thoreau thread seems to end up there and this kid is not in AAP, so I thought I'd ask about how FCPS handles middle school IEPs here.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am a middle school teacher, but not at your base school. What questions do you have? The biggest difference will be that students can be in a self-contained, team taught, or gen ed. Great in that you can try out gen ed/team taught classes for his areas of strength and self-contained for areas of need. ADHD can rear its head in a big way in 7th because of the need for organization...work for 7 classes is a lot to keep track of! I would make sure that the IEP goals reflect this and that he is placed in a “personal development” elective or with his case manager during intervention block who could help him with the organization piece.

Also, have him hang out/participate in Library events/lunch even if reading isnt his thing. I find that a lot of HFA kids gravitate towards it and that they end up making friendships there!!

[Anonymous]

PP. oops, no idea why I read ADHD in your original post. Disregard the ADHD stuff! But, a Personal Development class is helpful for HFA kids as well just to have someone to keep tabs on him socially and academically.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I am a middle school teacher, but not at your base school. What questions do you have? The biggest difference will be that students can be in a self-contained, team taught, or gen ed. Great in that you can try out gen ed/team taught classes for his areas of strength and self-contained for areas of need. ADHD can rear its head in a big way in 7th because of the need for organization...work for 7 classes is a lot to keep track of! I would make sure that the IEP goals reflect this and that he is placed in a “personal development” elective or with his case manager during intervention block who could help him with the organization piece.

Also, have him hang out/participate in Library events/lunch even if reading isnt his thing. I find that a lot of HFA kids gravitate towards it and that they end up making friendships there!!

Different poster. Team taught is general ed-correct? Is it 2 general ed teachers, 1 general ed teacher & 1 speced teacher or 1 general ed teacher and 1 instructional assistant?

What is the student teacher ratio in self-contained? Are there different levels of self-contained or are kids who are less than a year behind put together with kids several years behind?