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4 Feb 2008 @ 10:14 AM
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| Butterfly |
Join Date:
Mon 4th Feb 2008
Threads: 2 Posts: 0 |
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High School Son Failing
I have a 16 year old son with ADD. He has a 504 plan, because he does not meet classification requirements. He was recently taken off ADD meds, because they made him depressed. (We tried 3) However, he's doing worse and worse in school. He's in mainstream classes, w/o a special ed teacher. The work load is overwhelming for him. He's failing several classes, and I feel like the district put it back on me. The teachers say he focuses better and is less disruptive on meds, however his grades even then weren't great. And I'm not making him a drugged out , depressed, zombie for his teachers benefit. I have asked to have the work modified, but the teachers aren't willing to do it. They say he just needs to focus and put forth more effort! I am so frustrated! I don't want my son to fail out of high school, and his teachers don't get it. They just want me to medicate him!!!! What can I do? |
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9 Feb 2008 @ 1:44 PM
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| jimj |
Join Date:
Wed 6th Feb 2008
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Here's what we've done
Unfortunately it seems that you may have hit a wall. We've been there a couple of times with our 16 yr old and just happen to be going through one right now. For some reason it seems high schools are less inclined to deal with ADHD and quite often the teachers don't believe that it even exists, they think it's a made up affliction. I can tell you what worked for me which was to be very clear on what section 504 says and what an IEP is. I would then write up a request for IEP/504 evaluation and give a copy to the pricipal and to the superintendant of the district. Put a time limit for them to respond to you by as well. When you hand it to the principal let him/her know what it is and that your son cannot afford to waste anymore time so you will do whatever needs to be done to see that he receives the education he is due by law. Be sure they know you're not kidding or just going to go with whatever they say. Be polite but firm and don't let them put you off. You could even request a meeting with the principal and the superintendant and hand them the request at the same time. Depending on the response you get, if it's negative then let them know you're going to raise this to the school board and your local handicaped advocate group, or your local civil rights advocacy group. Be persistant your son needs you!!!!! |
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11 Feb 2008 @ 1:46 PM
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| Patti J. |
Join Date:
Fri 25th Jan 2008
Threads: 1 Posts: 33 |
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Get an advocate at your local LD office
If your son just turned 16 and the school dropped him, it's because he is 16 and they don't have to follow the 504 anymore if they choose not to. A school is not bound to abide by a Section 504 they can say they are unable to meet all requirements requested but will try, but they do not have to follow by law. Talk to school psychologist and see if they can get him on an IEP (my school just decided it was the right thing for my son--he'll be 16 in March). Go to Ed.gov and get a copy of the NCLB (it is still a viable law) under § 300.300 (all § 300.300 items) to see what your rights are. Good luck. I had an advocate and after 2 meetings, the school suggested IEP. Gee, guess I just didn't know the right kind of wording or whatever. Even though I knew what ADHD/ADD was and what would help my kid! |
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