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Post by tingngabe on Mar 17, 2014 12:01:08 GMT -5
Hello everyone. It's been a very long time since I posted on here. I'm sure no one will remember us. So quickly..I have a 9 year old son with autism, apraxia, reading delay, sensory processing disorder, and a few other neuro differences. He used to go to a brick and mortar public school, but now attends a public cyber charter school. We haven't had any huge issues in three years of using a cyber school, until now. This year has been hell. I just received a certified letter pertaining to too many absent days. I have to log my kiddo in every morning for school. I was apparently logging him in incorrectly. Instead of telling me this in the beginning of the year, they waited until February. So it looks like he has missed over 20 days of school. He hasn't. He does school work every day. On top of doing school work he attends a therapy center twice a week for speech and OT. Both are part of his IEP. The cyber school pays for that. We have missed log in days on therapy days as well.
Can I request that the school adds those days back into his attended days as he is fulfilling the requirements per his IEP? There is a also documentation that he has attended those days. I am not going to get fined for him not attending school when he is in fact doing school work and learning everyday.
Or should I have his IEP updated to protect him from missed days? They know he has autism. They know there are just days where he can't learn. I have been logging him in, even when we do less than an hour of work because autism has gotten in the way.
Thanks
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Post by healthy11 on Mar 17, 2014 12:18:14 GMT -5
I'm not a lawyer, but it sounds like the issue of missed therapy days should easily be addressed, because if your son went to therapy even though something was wrong with the log-in, then the therapy center should be able to provide a letter or some sort of document saying he received actual services.
As far as the daily log-in for school, I'm not clear about how some days you were able to log him in, but other days you were doing it incorrectly. Did the log-in procedure change for this year? I'm wondering if maybe they do keep track of the amount of time a student is "active" on the computer, and so even if you do log him in, but he never moves the mouse after that to click on any lessons, they record him as having missed a day? Even if he can't learn at a given time (ie, he's not a morning person) is it still possible for him to log back on in the later afternoon or evening?
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Post by bros on Mar 17, 2014 12:19:19 GMT -5
Talk to the school - they can check their records to see that work is being done on those days. Not your fault they have a confusing system that they failed to explain
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Post by bros on Mar 17, 2014 12:20:44 GMT -5
I'm not a lawyer, but it sounds like the issue of missed therapy days should easily be addressed, because if your son went to therapy even though something was wrong with the log-in, then the therapy center should be able to provide a letter or some sort of document saying he received actual services. As far as the daily log-in for school, I'm not clear about how some days you were able to log him in, but other days you were doing it incorrectly. Did the log-in procedure change for this year? I'm wondering if maybe they do keep track of the amount of time a student is "active" on the computer, and so even if you do log him in, but he never moves the mouse after that to click on any lessons, they record him as having missed a day? Even if he can't learn at a given time (ie, he's not a morning person) is it still possible for him to log back on in the later afternoon or evening? The way I read it, it sounded like they were able to log in fine, but they didn't indicate in the system that they were on - perhaps they have to check a box or activate a prompt so the system knows they are in attendance that day |
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Post by tingngabe on Mar 17, 2014 12:34:30 GMT -5
There are two areas that we have to log onto. The area that makes it count for an actual day attended is their "main" page. I was logging into the "school" page. I was not aware I had to log into the "main" page. The school page is the area where he does his learning. I asked his instructional supervisor how he even has days that showed up if the "school" page didn't count as log in as I have been using that page since last year. Her response was, she didn't know.
I am very frustrated with this school this year.
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Post by eoffg on Mar 18, 2014 5:16:33 GMT -5
This highlights a deficiency in their system, where one should only be able to access the 'school' page, after logging into the 'main' page.
Which is the way that all other cyber courses operate.
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Post by dihicks6 on Mar 18, 2014 7:46:36 GMT -5
See if you can print out your history, but really it's a software problem. I would list all the dates you did log in and send it to the school saying that this issue seems to have been caused by the confusing way you must login and suggest they may want to consider changing it. I'd be willing to bet you are not the only one. Try researchingproblems with this program on the web and see what you come up with. Good luck!
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Post by tingngabe on Mar 18, 2014 19:23:16 GMT -5
They are threatening truancy and calling CPS. Really? CPS? I can't print history. Nowhere does it even allow me to print a history. I think all the days that I was logging into the system "incorrectly" should be added back into his current attendance record. Maybe I should send them a certified letter. Ugh. I can't wait for this year to be over.
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Post by tingngabe on Mar 18, 2014 19:24:03 GMT -5
Also, I never get email responses from the instructional supervisor. I have asked on many occasions about his log ins and she never replies. It's rather irritating.
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Post by bros on Mar 18, 2014 19:50:52 GMT -5
They are threatening truancy and calling CPS. Really? CPS? I can't print history. Nowhere does it even allow me to print a history. I think all the days that I was logging into the system "incorrectly" should be added back into his current attendance record. Maybe I should send them a certified letter. Ugh. I can't wait for this year to be over. 1. What web browser are you using for it? 2. Does it log when assignments are submitted? |
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Post by tingngabe on Mar 18, 2014 20:04:50 GMT -5
My previous post didn't show up. The school is currently using Chrome. They were using internet explorer. And I have been logging him into school using Chrome, internet explorer, or safari. It didn't seem to matter. I didn't even know there was an issue until the IS called be at the end of January or beginning of February.
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Post by bros on Mar 18, 2014 21:00:38 GMT -5
So you have been using Google Chrome this year?
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Post by tingngabe on Mar 18, 2014 21:31:26 GMT -5
Yes, we use Chrome to submit all his work, but we can use any browser to watch videos and take online assessments. I would like to send a letter, but I'm not sure if I should be pushing this issue with letters. I already sent one and didn't get a response because it is state testing time. We opted out of state testing...so our week is a regular school week.
This is the letter I started to draft...
Hi IS,
Upon further consideration of this matter I am requesting a list of all log in days that (my kiddo) is considered to have an unlawful absences. According to the letter I received one of them in on March 5, 2014. I have already addressed that day and am waiting for a response concerning if log ins show up from my work computer. As started in the certified letter I received there is a second unlawful absence on his record. Please send me that date as well. I would also like a list of all days that were missed log in days. I would like to back them with our work we do at home that we have saved and therapy days. If this is going to be a continued problem I want to make sure I have all the information I need should PA Cyber decide to take truancy action.
As you know I am looking out for my child's best interest, which is why we chose to teach our child at home. (Child) has a medical dx of autism and a educational dx of autism and speech language impairment that often inhibits his ability to learn from day to day. This is documented throughout his IEP.
__________________________________________________
That's all I have. I'm not even sure if writing this letter would help. I do want a print out of all missed log in days. I think that is only fair. Apparently, this is a problem for my friends kiddo too. The truancy offer showed up at her front door step. They use the same cyber school we do. I have to say...this cyber school is not filling me with confidence.
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Post by bros on Mar 18, 2014 22:07:14 GMT -5
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Post by dihicks6 on Mar 19, 2014 6:14:56 GMT -5
Who runs the cyber school? Is it approved by PA DOE? Once I know that, I could help with the letter. If others are also having problems with this, it's a systemic issue that needs to be fixed.
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Post by healthy11 on Mar 19, 2014 8:27:08 GMT -5
I'm not sure if mentioning about "waiting for a response concerning if log ins show up from my work computer" is a good thing...it could highlight that you're really the one logging in, and/or they might wonder why your child is using your work computer.
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Post by tingngabe on Mar 21, 2014 10:41:14 GMT -5
To answer some of your questions. Yes, the school is supported under the DOE. They are funded by tax payers dollars. It's okay if I log Gabe into school from my work computer because his dad is at home doing his school work with him. I leave out his work and his dad helps his learn.
I just got off the phone with the IS and she said that while I logged my son into school on the 5th of March, we didn't submit anything. Well according to my work flow chart for submitted work, not every day is a "scan and submit" day. And he is self paced. He is significantly delayed reading at a kindy level in a third grade curriculum. We go as fast as his autism will allow. They are now sending me a second letter saying we did not attend school on March 12th. AHHHH!!!
What is the point of self paced and an IEP if they are going to send a truancy officer to my door?
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Post by healthy11 on Mar 21, 2014 11:28:03 GMT -5
So it sounds like the problem isn't just logging in, but actually showing that some work was done. Have you asked to see the school's written requirements for how much work must be submitted?
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Post by dihicks6 on Mar 21, 2014 13:54:17 GMT -5
Homeschool -- it eliminates these problems.... But i agree with Healthy -- get their policies in writing and when you request them, put a 10 day time limit on it. I would also request any attendance policies from the cyberschool and your home district (if that's whose bothering you). Half the time, they don't even know what's in their own policies. I would also consider requesting an IEP meeting to fix this legally on his IEP.
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Post by tingngabe on Mar 21, 2014 15:13:05 GMT -5
I planned to pull him from public school at the end of this year. Now I may do it before hand. I just need to get some paperwork in order. There is a homeschool event in my area soon and I am attending that.
I just sent a letter requesting an IEP meeting and asked for the policy for attendance and self paced students. I know is IS is online because she sent me an email as I was typing the letter to her. She hasn't responded.
At the end of the letter I included "I look forward to hearing from you and working with (school) in providing (student name) with FAPE. Please include a copy in (student name) permanent educational file." I learned that putting that at the end of the request tends to make them move their bums a little quicker.
I don't want to be a difficult parent, but I also don't want a truancy officer on my front door step!!!
We shall see. She did email me before I sent the letter saying they would have a meeting with the attendance supervisor and a guidance counselor. I'm not available at the time they want the meeting.
Oh, this year just can't end fast enough.
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Post by dihicks6 on Mar 22, 2014 6:46:28 GMT -5
Here's a link to the Homeschooling League Defense Assn.'s page for PA. Gosh, and I thought NY had too many requirements! I would definitely suggest you buy a membership in their organization. I think it's about $100/yr. and I suspect it will be well worth it. www.hslda.org/hs/state/PA/default.aspHere in NY, you can pull your child and still have 2 weeks to notify the district that you intend to homeschool. Additionally, we do not have to provide any medical/immunization info, nor do we have to have a "credentialed teacher" approve our learning plans for kids on IEP's. And that's just the beginning of their regs.....maybe you could consider a move??? |
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Post by tingngabe on Mar 22, 2014 18:54:14 GMT -5
I have already found someone to sign off on my learning objectives for homeschooling and I printed the affidavit to submit to his home district. And I found a teacher to sign off on our portfolio for the year.
PA has rigorous HS laws.
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Post by tingngabe on Apr 3, 2014 12:19:47 GMT -5
Well, we had an IEP meeting. I explained the situation and asked for the school's definition of self paced since I don't seem to define that phrase the same as they do. In the end they requested another full psycho/ed evaluation. He had one at the beginning of the year, but it was a joke. They evaluator barely tested him. I think this might be a good thing. We are still planning on pulling him out of public cyber at the end of the year. We don't want to change on him now. Hopefully this evaluation will lead to a better understanding of how he learns. They also sent me this thing called a TEP (truancy elimination plan) but I couldn't read half of it because the information was in drop down boxes and they did a screen shot of the TEP and sent it to me to sign. I refused. I want to see all that was written in those boxes. I am sure they hate me at this point.
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Post by dihicks6 on Apr 3, 2014 12:45:39 GMT -5
Ask them to define, in writing, truancy in a self-paced program. I wouldn't sign a damn thing regarding truancy, since they can't even define it in relation to the program your son is in. I would also ask for copies of any attendance policies that are specifically related to the self-paced program. I'll bet a lunch there aren't any...
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Post by tingngabe on Apr 3, 2014 13:34:17 GMT -5
I emailed the sped coordinator, but haven't heard back yet. They did send me a copy of their attendance policy. Self paced students have 150 days including weekends to complete a semesters worth of work. So two marking periods or 18 weeks. We are way behind that time frame. He just started week 11 of his work. He started 3rd grade curriculum in October. He started third grade work later because he was finishing up 2nd grade work. So naturally I was under the assumption that he could continue to work at his pace for third grade and when he gets finished, he gets finished. That is my conceptual idea of what self paced means. Apparently, that's not the schools idea. Even though, that is the impression I received when we started cyber school two years ago! It will all be over soon. And I absolutely will not sign their truancy paperwork. That's like pleading guilty to a crime I didn't commit. Nope. It isn't going to happen.
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Post by dihicks6 on Apr 3, 2014 19:50:14 GMT -5
I would use their own tactics, I.e. delay, delay, ask for lots of board approved policies, etc., and before you know it, the end of the school yr will be here -- just like they do when trying to avoid doing anything they're supposed to do. Good luck!
P.s. hope you saved notes from those meetings two years ago, they may come in handy...
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