Reply to FCPS and possible evaluation for special education. I have unanswered questions...

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The conversation happened a year ago, and his teacher this year hasn't said anything. I requested the meeting last year. On his report card it still says below grade level in math & reading. Effort is all 3's & 4's.

I have a lot to think about. Again, very much appreciate all your helpful responses![/quote]

That is reason enough. OP--tell the teacher you want to refer your child for testing. You will be asked to fill out a referral. He's in third grade. Why is below level? Something has got to be getting in the way for him. This isn't about effort--Kids want to learn. [/quote]

Third grade is when kids read to learn and not learn to read.  If he is below grade level, it probably means he's not reading well enough to "read to learn".

Third grade math mostly is about learning the multiplication table.  A third grader should be solid in additional and subtraction.

These are foundational skills.  If he is below grade level in third, it is only going to get worse.[/quote]

To give you hope

Our DD was in second grade when the teacher recommended she be tested.  She was behind in school.   We were confused and not sure what to do.  It is overwhelming.  The IEP rules are complicated and impossible to decipher.   Special Education is a loaded term that hits hard and negative.  Surely the teacher was mistaken?

But we cannot thank that teacher enough.  Our DD was behind in reading and needed extra help and that FCPS teacher raised the issue.  She was assessed and put on IEP at end of second grade.  She was on IEP until high school.

DD was behind for most of elementary school.   It was not until summer between 5th grade and 6th grade the she really started reading for fun.  Until then it was something that she struggled with and as we all know, things that we are not good at we put off.  Reading is so fundamental to all the other subjects.  An IEP helped immensely.  DD got extra help before during and after school.   Also, while some criticize the standardized testing, this testing identified our daughter as behind and the FCPS elementary school provided extra tutoring before school to give students extra help.

We did not rely on the school testing.  [b]We paid for private testing and you should DEFINITELY do this again. [/b] Do not rely on school resources to do this.   They will still do an assessment, which I remember also as multiple sessions, and questionaires sent to both parents, and teachers, and doctors.  They looked for psych issues, home issues in addition to learning issues.  But it was the private testing report that really helped identify learning deficiencies. Cost about $2500 about 10 years ago.  We used Dr. Paula Elitov, not sure if she still practices, but she was very good.

I really believe the extra help provided by FCPS made a major difference.  IEP forces the school to do periodic meetings with teachers and psychologist and principal to review IEP and progress.  The schools definitely respond.

so fast forward to today and I am looking at second quarter high school grades with all A's, AP Calc and AP Gov.  DD has caught up and is doing very well.  She was "graduated" from IEP program as freshman in high school.

It would not have happened if not for a FCPS second grade elementary teacher who took the time to identify someone that needed help.  I

and do not expect a teacher to explain the process to you.  It is complicated and legal.   they can not be promising something that may not happen.  I would expect little help on the process but lots of help with actually helping your child.[/quote]

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