Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what you expect the school to do if he’s not studying. If you can identify what might help him do better you can ask for an IEP meeting and update the plan.

How do you know he’s not getting feedback on his incorrect work? It doesn’t sound like your son is a reliable reporter.

Last thought. Is he passing the classes even though he’s failing tests? If so, maybe that’s the best he can expect.

He does study sometimes. Yes passing classes. He studies hard when he does and seems to know the material but still fails the test. He does not study hard for all tests because it is too much. This wee five test alone. We can’t do it all. He does not receive feedback because there are no comments on his homework when clearly there are many mistakes. This is across classes and I have been told teachers don’t have time for feedback. Already have tutors but we can only afford so much.

In high school, teachers are not going to correct every homework assignment and provide comments. That’s not realistic. I’m thinking of math as an example, for my kids, they are either provided solutions and expected to check themselves or homework is electronic and gives immediate feedback if it’s correct. I know some of the other classes go over HW in class but that means they need to have it done on time and be focused when the class is discussing the assignment. HW isn’t graded for many of their classes in HS so it’s a struggle to get them to do it.

Are the classes the appropriate level? Is his schedule too rigorous? Is he taking honors or regular classes?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what you expect the school to do if he’s not studying. If you can identify what might help him do better you can ask for an IEP meeting and update the plan.

How do you know he’s not getting feedback on his incorrect work? It doesn’t sound like your son is a reliable reporter.

Last thought. Is he passing the classes even though he’s failing tests? If so, maybe that’s the best he can expect.

He does study sometimes. Yes passing classes. He studies hard when he does and seems to know the material but still fails the test. He does not study hard for all tests because it is too much. This wee five test alone. We can’t do it all. He does not receive feedback because there are no comments on his homework when clearly there are many mistakes. This is across classes and I have been told teachers don’t have time for feedback. Already have tutors but we can only afford so much.

Is he in public school? MCPS or DCPS or which school district? HW is often district mandated to be a completion grade so teachers don’t bother with comments as most kids don’t read them. Encourage him to go see the teacher during office hours for extra support. He may not be paying attention in class and he also may not be studying effectively. Can you quiz him on topics?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what you expect the school to do if he’s not studying. If you can identify what might help him do better you can ask for an IEP meeting and update the plan.

How do you know he’s not getting feedback on his incorrect work? It doesn’t sound like your son is a reliable reporter.

Last thought. Is he passing the classes even though he’s failing tests? If so, maybe that’s the best he can expect.

He does study sometimes. Yes passing classes. He studies hard when he does and seems to know the material but still fails the test. He does not study hard for all tests because it is too much. This wee five test alone. We can’t do it all. He does not receive feedback because there are no comments on his homework when clearly there are many mistakes. This is across classes and I have been told teachers don’t have time for feedback. Already have tutors but we can only afford so much.

I don’t mean to be pessimistic but they aren’t going to reduce the number of tests because it’s too much. If he’s passing classes that might be enough for him. It will get him a HS diploma and the ability to work or go to a vocational program.

As for feedback, kids need to go see teachers at lunch or before or after school. Feedback is available but kids need to seek it out.

Is this a new issue? Also, have you directly asked (or have him asked) to have tests returned? My 8th grader is so-so on tests, they often do not come back. Often times it is so they can be reused in future years. That said, the tests that have been returned are really helpful to see if it was flat out misunderstanding (e.g. sometimes a clear link of knowing he was shaky on a topic) OR not reading directions correctly/misinterpreting a question.

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what you expect the school to do if he’s not studying. If you can identify what might help him do better you can ask for an IEP meeting and update the plan.

How do you know he’s not getting feedback on his incorrect work? It doesn’t sound like your son is a reliable reporter.

Last thought. Is he passing the classes even though he’s failing tests? If so, maybe that’s the best he can expect.

He does study sometimes. Yes passing classes. He studies hard when he does and seems to know the material but still fails the test. He does not study hard for all tests because it is too much. This wee five test alone. We can’t do it all. He does not receive feedback because there are no comments on his homework when clearly there are many mistakes. This is across classes and I have been told teachers don’t have time for feedback. Already have tutors but we can only afford so much.

Call an IEP meeting and get tutors.

How is he cognitively? Is he on grade level? If he is not doing well on test or homework then it is an issue globally that accommodations may not fix. It is not like he needs extra time on test. It is not that he needs testing in a different environment. He is not accessing the material.

All of the accommodations or meetings would not have helped my kid freshman year when he was refusing to study, rushing through assignments, refusing to go see or work with well meaning and helpful teachers. It was really frustrating.

You mentioned an attorney but at some point, they can only determine if the school is providing appropriate services and accommodations. In my case they were and my kid was refusing to take advantage of them. That was not the school’s fault. Lots of teens are difficult.

I’m not sure what you expect the school to do if he’s not studying. If you can identify what might help him do better you can ask for an IEP meeting and update the plan.

How do you know he’s not getting feedback on his incorrect work? It doesn’t sound like your son is a reliable reporter.

Last thought. Is he passing the classes even though he’s failing tests? If so, maybe that’s the best he can expect.

What accommodations does he have, and is he using them?

It may be as simple as providing something like extra time, but sometimes kids are just bad testers and all the accommodations in the world can't change that.

My child has an IEP. Freshman. Fails every single test. Sometimes studies and sometimes not claiming it is easy, but still comes home with a failing grade. Sometimes I study with him.
I notice his homework, while graded as turned in, is often wrong, but no feedback. School is really really slow to respond to requests for meetings. They say his grades are fine (that’s because he turned in homework.) I’m at my wits end. I’m exhausted.

What is my next step? I really want to avoid an attorney. We haven’t had much luck with them in the past.