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Post by brazos on Oct 7, 2005 19:54:54 GMT -5
I am sick of excuses sick* . I am tired of trying to get my son's school to do their job.  I absolutely distest my son's principal  . So we are now seriously and I do mean seriously considering pulling him out, and homeschooling. I would love nothing more for him to stay in public school and do well. But when you as a parent know they can fail your kid at reading because they are using the TAKS test as a reading grade without mods. We honestly have no other choice, it is October. He will not do better if you fail him now. TEA has told me the ISD can do it because Mods are not allowed on the TAKS. JH and HS seem to be better, they seem to work with 504s, heck the principal at the JH was on the team writing the original need for 504. But 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade stink  , and I see no reason for my baby to endure one more minute there. I have not been on the boards lately because I have been calling everyone I know, writing emails. Doing whatever I thought would help to no avail. They have decided my baby is not neccessary, if I left it up to them he would stay in 3rd grade forever. So I am looking for an ADHD/Dyslexic Homeschooling suggestion. If you have one let me know! |
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Post by ohmama on Oct 7, 2005 22:00:27 GMT -5
Better than homeschool... Virtual school! You get a teacher who won't argue with you and you can have all the help you need and the books, free! I don't know what state you live in but the virtual school I enrolled my boy in covers a dozen states. If you're serious and fed up enough, check it out... www.connectionsacademy.com |
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Post by brazos on Oct 8, 2005 15:14:29 GMT -5
I did ohmama ! And Texas doesn't approve it yet! I wish they did!
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Post by TaynTysmom on Oct 8, 2005 20:13:28 GMT -5
Check with your districts in the area and see who has a virtual school. Our district has one here in KS and it is wonderful. If they stay with the program and finish H.S., they can walk in graduation with the others.
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Post by ohmama on Oct 8, 2005 20:50:37 GMT -5
Brazos,
Check out the website. Texas is approved and on the list for connections academy!! You go girl, this is a great school.
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Post by TexasMom on Oct 9, 2005 17:10:12 GMT -5
If TAKS is the main concern there may be ways around it. I don't know all the specifics, but a parent can refuse to have their child take the test.
Also, if you child could qualify for an IEP then things can be done to assist with the TAKS. Our son takes the regular reading TAKS but in small groups (I can't remember if it is still timed or not). Our son is in resource classes for Math and English and so he takes the state alternative tests for TAKS in both math and the writting portion. They determine which grade level he will take based on the grade level that his IEP goals are written on.
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Post by nevergivup on Oct 10, 2005 8:43:40 GMT -5
Brazos: I was looking into a supplemental reading program for my son and stumbled across this website you might find helpful for your dyslexic, if you decide to go the homeschool route: www.learningablekids.com. The woman researched a lot of programs to use with her dyslexic kids and she even lays out the programs she eventually used. Her child was going to go into the 5th grade and was reading at the 1.9 level. She took him past the 6th grade level in just one year (if I remember correctly). Good luck to you. A lot of us are in the same boat! |
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Post by Gillian on Oct 10, 2005 11:27:01 GMT -5
I was going to suggest Virtual School also. I am considering that for my sons High School time (he starts HS next school year). A teacher suggested it as an option for him. He is not having a good final year at Junior High and she thought it was worth considering. We have a Virtual School headquartered around the corner from us (also Kansas) so it would be a breeze. Let us know what you decide.
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Post by brazos on Oct 10, 2005 12:44:22 GMT -5
I got a book and a letter from Connections, at present it is on the list to be approved but is not currently an alternative to public school in Texas. I pulled him today, I have studied the TEKS, he is so far behind we are currently trying to fill in the holes and get him up and going.
Thanks for the help with the learningablekids.com. That is the type of thing I really need right now.
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Post by vickilyn32 on Oct 11, 2005 8:59:44 GMT -5
They can not do mods on the reading test, but do have a state alternative test (SDAA) that my son takes for the reading taks. He is on grade level with it, but it is easier than the regular taks test. He also gets mods on the taks math. When they have word problems, he is allowed to have them read to him. This is all written on is IEP, and is reviewed each year at his ARD meeting. We just finished his ARD for this year, and he is still taking the SDAA reading test for 9th grade level. (he is in 9th grade, so he is grade level) He is in regular ed. with mods, and is getting the regular HS diploma. Just wanted to let you know for future reference.
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Post by mrsb00 on Oct 11, 2005 10:12:41 GMT -5
Wow, it sounds ideal! Too bad IL is not on the list.
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Post by 2pearl on Oct 11, 2005 18:55:25 GMT -5
Just wanted to wish you luck. Over the summer I put plans in place to homeschool my DS if neccesary this year. There are so many great resources out there that I felt very comfortable with the whole idea. You can do this!
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Post by brazos on Oct 12, 2005 20:29:13 GMT -5
So he is doing great! Vicki my son is too high for SE, so he only has a 504. So they can do this, which is why I hated it so much. They can do it, not a good idea but legal. In my area it is a numbers game, they look for the race they need at the level they can successfully bring up. My son was not the right color in the right grade in an unacceptable school. Even if he qualified(don't get me started on that process) they thought his reading level was too low to pass it. He is comfortably reading at 1st grade level, and nothing they have done has truly changed it.
Back to the good news, no OCD behavior and very little ADHD too. When his brothers come home they see he is much calmer and happier. He is working his brain non stop, but being away from all the distractions in his school is a good thing. I would have never believed he would be so different, I honestly thought he would always be that hyper and impulsive.
With my next surgery 15 days away, I needed something to break open. I told my husband I could no longer do it. He wasn't learning, we were all stressed out. We are all happy, I don't regret a minute, I should have done it two years ago!
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Post by Mayleng on Oct 13, 2005 7:35:05 GMT -5
Brazos, glad to hear it is better. Good luck with your upcoming surgery.
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Post by vickilyn32 on Oct 13, 2005 9:26:40 GMT -5
good luck with your surgery, and I am glad to hear that things are going so well for your son. One of my best friends has homeschooled all 3 of her children who are now in 11th grade, 9th grade, and one is starting college next semester. They have never been in a public school, and are wonderful kids. I give anyone who can homeschool a lot of credit, I know I would never have the patience to do it.
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