OP, I strongly recommend requesting a formal evaluation for learning disabilities. It took too long for my child with mild dyslexia to get properly assessed, and I wish I had pushed sooner.

Don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done just because the school year is almost over—they can absolutely conduct evaluations and hold IEP meetings during the summer (though it may involve different staff members). Keep advocating—you have the right to start the process now.

1) Submit a written request to your child’s school principal, teacher, or the Special Education Lead at your school.
Include:
Your child’s full name
Grade and school
Your concerns (e.g., did. It pass the SOLs and ect..)
And request for a formal special education evaluation

Sample Language:

“I am requesting a comprehensive evaluation for my child, [Child’s Full Name], to determine if they are eligible for special education services under IDEA. I have concerns about [briefly describe]. Please let me know the next steps and timeline.”

2) School Holds a “Referral” or “Initial Meeting”

Within 10 business days, the school will schedule a meeting called a School-Based Team (SBT) meeting or Referral Meeting.
At this meeting, the team (which includes you) will decide whether to move forward with an evaluation.

3) Consent for Evaluation

If the team agrees, you’ll be asked to sign formal consent for the evaluation.
FCPS then has 65 business days (from the date of consent) to complete the evaluation and hold an eligibility meeting.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is ZERO benefit to her. You know she needs help this summer shoring up her math and reading comprehension. Retaking a test to get the score above some arbitrary cut off so the school gets one more "pass" is just torture for no point.

If she doesn't have a passing reading SOL score, she will probably need to take a literacy support class in middle school. She will lose an elective because the literacy support course will take the place of a standard elective course.

If she wants to take the electives she chose, there is a benefit to taking the SOL retake.

+1 I just heard this from an administrator that middle schools will look at SOL scores to determine electives and students who don’t pass may be placed into support classes rather than their desired elective. If you don’t want that, it’s worth retaking to try to pass.

Oh goodness I had no idea. Thanks for that update!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is ZERO benefit to her. You know she needs help this summer shoring up her math and reading comprehension. Retaking a test to get the score above some arbitrary cut off so the school gets one more "pass" is just torture for no point.

If she doesn't have a passing reading SOL score, she will probably need to take a literacy support class in middle school. She will lose an elective because the literacy support course will take the place of a standard elective course.

If she wants to take the electives she chose, there is a benefit to taking the SOL retake.

Let’s try it, OP here. If you see this reach out to me. I just set up a Gmail account because I can use the advice! HelpwithSOL@gmail.com

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is ZERO benefit to her. You know she needs help this summer shoring up her math and reading comprehension. Retaking a test to get the score above some arbitrary cut off so the school gets one more "pass" is just torture for no point.

If she doesn't have a passing reading SOL score, she will probably need to take a literacy support class in middle school. She will lose an elective because the literacy support course will take the place of a standard elective course.

If she wants to take the electives she chose, there is a benefit to taking the SOL retake.

+1 I just heard this from an administrator that middle schools will look at SOL scores to determine electives and students who don’t pass may be placed into support classes rather than their desired elective. If you don’t want that, it’s worth retaking to try to pass.

Anonymous wrote:We found a Spanish tutor for our DD through Wyzant. He lives 10 mins from our house so it’s very convenient. During our search, we found a lot of current and former teachers offering to tutor our DD. The rates range from $50-$90/hr. Tutors for ES/MS Math and Reading were abundant. They’re more expensive than Kumon/Mathnasium but your child will get more focused attention.

That’s pricy. Our Preply tutors are under $20 an hour, all great.

How come you did not realize that she was not thriving in school? This decline has not happened in one year.

Guessing not in AAP?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In addition to other things, I am looking for tutors for DD this summer.
Recommended remediation tutors?

Thinking of mathnasium for math? Other suggestions?

What about for reading?

I have tried for years on my own and I can’t keep up with it along with work and all the house related duties that come with being a mom.

DD really needs help before it’s too late!

Have you reached out to her school? They should be able to offer summer remediation programs. If not your school, then they should recommend another one in the county.

FCPS Tutor here- also SOL remediation tutor- on top of understanding subject perhaps also invest in how to test take effectively.

Shame- there is no way to connect on this on this site.

In which city is your DD’s school?

Isn't this considered prepping in the AAP forum?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is ZERO benefit to her. You know she needs help this summer shoring up her math and reading comprehension. Retaking a test to get the score above some arbitrary cut off so the school gets one more "pass" is just torture for no point.

If she doesn't have a passing reading SOL score, she will probably need to take a literacy support class in middle school. She will lose an elective because the literacy support course will take the place of a standard elective course.

If she wants to take the electives she chose, there is a benefit to taking the SOL retake.

Do they have a math support class in middle school?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In addition to other things, I am looking for tutors for DD this summer.
Recommended remediation tutors?

Thinking of mathnasium for math? Other suggestions?

What about for reading?

I have tried for years on my own and I can’t keep up with it along with work and all the house related duties that come with being a mom.

DD really needs help before it’s too late!

Have you reached out to her school? They should be able to offer summer remediation programs. If not your school, then they should recommend another one in the county.

FCPS Tutor here- also SOL remediation tutor- on top of understanding subject perhaps also invest in how to test take effectively.

Shame- there is no way to connect on this on this site.

In which city is your DD’s school?

THIS. This is so important. One of the best things my child's math tutor has done for her this year is teach her test taking strategies. She was much better equipped to take the SOL this year than she has been in previous years.

Anonymous wrote:OP here, sixth grade.

Reading was 389

Dont have the grade for math yet.

389 is really close to the cut off. Have her do the retake if you're so inclined. She'll be offered one b/c she's within 15 points of passing.

Anonymous wrote:There is ZERO benefit to her. You know she needs help this summer shoring up her math and reading comprehension. Retaking a test to get the score above some arbitrary cut off so the school gets one more "pass" is just torture for no point.

If she doesn't have a passing reading SOL score, she will probably need to take a literacy support class in middle school. She will lose an elective because the literacy support course will take the place of a standard elective course.

If she wants to take the electives she chose, there is a benefit to taking the SOL retake.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In addition to other things, I am looking for tutors for DD this summer.
Recommended remediation tutors?

Thinking of mathnasium for math? Other suggestions?

What about for reading?

I have tried for years on my own and I can’t keep up with it along with work and all the house related duties that come with being a mom.

DD really needs help before it’s too late!

Have you reached out to her school? They should be able to offer summer remediation programs. If not your school, then they should recommend another one in the county.

FCPS Tutor here- also SOL remediation tutor- on top of understanding subject perhaps also invest in how to test take effectively.

Shame- there is no way to connect on this on this site.

In which city is your DD’s school?

Anonymous wrote:389 is super close to passing. She probably missed it by 1 question. The school will pressure you/her for a retake to get their own passing rate up, but you don’t have to do it.

+1

She was so close! This isn’t something to ruin her whole summer over.

Anonymous wrote:In addition to other things, I am looking for tutors for DD this summer.
Recommended remediation tutors?

Thinking of mathnasium for math? Other suggestions?

What about for reading?

I have tried for years on my own and I can’t keep up with it along with work and all the house related duties that come with being a mom.

DD really needs help before it’s too late!

Have you reached out to her school? They should be able to offer summer remediation programs. If not your school, then they should recommend another one in the county.