Sounds like BS to me. We were told this too. Then when DS asked for a reduction from a teacher, the teacher said No, it wouldn't be fair to the other students bla bla bla. Our consultant wanted to maintain good standing with the school so didn't push it, though consultant knew how to, so the best we got was that during times of heavy workload DS could have a homework reduction. I can't remember how it was phrased--maybe max 30 min in math, or per subject. Subsequently it fell by the way side as it seemed a less pressing need and I didn't want to fight. The special ed people are afraid to put something in writing that would set them up for conflict with teachers, and don't want to explain to teachers that it's the law to follow the IEP. So they put it on the students, do a song and dance about teaching self-advocacy, then the student tries, and the teachers tell them No.

Walter Johnson is excellent in supporting children with IEP's & 504's & the counseling staff is always available to meet with your child, but your child should be the one to take the initiative.

They're trying to get your kid ready for college & we as parents won't necessarily be there to advocate for them, so they really encourage students advocating for themselves & when they do that, the faculty goes above & beyond in helping them be successful.

We've been very pleasantly surprised at all of the support we've received at WJ, just instill it in your son to not be afraid to self advocate & he'll be just fine.

Anonymous wrote:
OP here.

Thank you, PP!
I panicked and posted on DCUM right before the new meeting time

DS is going into high school. It was explained to us that homework reduction would be on a case-by-case basis, given the different type of assignments given in each class, and that he should talk to each teacher himself, as part of his self-advocacy. The high school counselor was reassuring and told him that if given enough notice, teachers would always be accommodating.

I hope that's true. We've never been told untruths at an IEP meeting, so...

If parents of high schoolers can weigh in, that would be great. DS is going to Walter Johnson.

I think that for HS, while they are expected to be more independent and self-advocate- the school also knows there will be a learning curve for many of these students because of the amount of hand holding in general up to this point. And because of this, they will be more flexible at least at the beginning.

I think a lot also depends on your case worker, and how involved they are.

Wish I could be of more help, we pulled our son out of MoCo public when he hit 9th grade and went private.

OP here.

Thank you, PP!
I panicked and posted on DCUM right before the new meeting time

DS is going into high school. It was explained to us that homework reduction would be on a case-by-case basis, given the different type of assignments given in each class, and that he should talk to each teacher himself, as part of his self-advocacy. The high school counselor was reassuring and told him that if given enough notice, teachers would always be accommodating.

I hope that's true. We've never been told untruths at an IEP meeting, so...

If parents of high schoolers can weigh in, that would be great. DS is going to Walter Johnson.

Anonymous wrote:IEP meeting was moved up and is in 45 min. Case manager did not add homework reduction to draft IEP like she said she would. Before I go into the meeting, what did yours look like?
Is it language like: "Student is allowed to complete 75% of the work"?

Thanks!

probably too late to answer your question - that said, I would just tell the to add it to the IEP. its still in draft form, so it should be very easy to do. hell, you can add it even after it's been finalized! As for the language - I would say: Johnny should have no more than 30 mins of HW per day, per class. something like that.

let us know how the meeting went. Personally, I'd rather have a colonoscopy over attend an IEP meeting. Not exaggerating.

IEP meeting was moved up and is in 45 min. Case manager did not add homework reduction to draft IEP like she said she would. Before I go into the meeting, what did yours look like?
Is it language like: "Student is allowed to complete 75% of the work"?

Thanks!