Hi, Yes I decided to go on with all the testing they want to do. There were several, an intellegence test, Special ed assessment, speech assement, I think I have the names right. Testing will be next week I'm assuming. As far as the time, day, calendar- any suggestions? He just seems clueless as far as time reasoning goes. Also, you mentioned that most spec ed kids are mainstreamed into reg classes for part of the day..... I wonder now, just how much of the day are these kids away from the others? Are all of the schools special ed kids taught together in the same room at the same time? Do they have reccess with the other kids and eat lunch with them or in their own special ed group? Thanks sooooo much to everyone who has been advising me and answering my endless questions.
Unfortunately, we really can't answer a lot of the special ed questions too specifically because it really DOES vary between districts and even schools... special services aren't one-size-fits all (or, at least, they shouldn't be)... and what is appropriate for other kids in your son's building or grade may not be the most appropriate thing for him. Most likely, from what you've described, he's qualify for, for instance, resource pull-out to catch him up on reading/phonics/math skills, and for speech therapy. I can't imagine he'd need something more restrictive than that!!! I student taught in 2nd and had one student who was far enough behind academically to qualify for special ed services. She got pulled for math and for language arts, but did everything else with our homeroom. She had "her" assignments to work on when she got back while the rest of her classmates were working. We modified science, social studies, etc. in the classroom so she could, on her level, participate with everyone else. Of course she also had lunch, recess, and all specials with her classmates. I'm not sure if her pull-out was individual or in a group. That usualyl depends on the student's particular needs and how they compare with those of other stduents. This is how I've seen it work in other districts... but for specifics, you'll be able to discuss that if/when your son qualifies Whether resource instruction is group or individual, or a combination, will be noted on his IEP. Same goes for speech minutes... they'll need to specify where it takes place (will a resource teacher come into his classroom, or will he go somewhere? will it be just him 1:1, or will there be other kids in his group? etc)... As far as working on time concepts, calendar, etc... my biggest suggestion is to connect it to stuff he knows. Use "one episode of spongebob" or whatever show he likes as a base... so an hour is 2 episodes. For days... I love to sing and think kids learn stuff better to music. I have days and months songs on my computer, shoot me a PM if you want to hear some of them. Again, though, connect it with stuff that's meaningful to him. Do you go to church on Sundays? Have soccer practice on Tuesday? or his brother takes piano on Wednesday? use whatever it is that's in your lives as a basis to help him. Is there a calendar on his level at home that you can track things like that? Maybe he can help Does that help?
There should be at least one teacher supply store in your area. (We have three here!) They would have all kinds of classroom style calendars. Heck, you may even be able to find supplies like that at the local Wally World at this point! Also, I would like to tell you that my daughter -- a rather smart cookie in many areas -- had a great deal of trouble with time until she was 7 or so. She referred to every day as "yestersmornin"!!! It will all come with time and practice.
momtothree You are following through with wise decisions. Your son stands a good chance to succeed in school with you and others behind him. I might be reading into all of this, but it seems to me that you might be a little fearful. Most parents are. But, just remember not to pressure, to push, or demand to much. Try to make the learning fun.
I highly recommend starfall.com. I would not recommend holding your child back in K with the schedule your school has. I would suggest seeing if your school would offer a half day k half day 1st grade program for him if he is struggling in full day 1st next year. I don't see how repeating the same schedule of 2 to 3 days a week would help. He may have to repeat 1st grade, but at least he would have a full day/full week next year. As for the rest of this year, is it possible that if he is tested and find he is in need of extra help, could he join another K in the afternoon? Here in Indiana there are a handful of students in each school who combine am and pm K classes so they can in a way catch up with the rest of the class.
I have resource students in my classroom. I don't know if this will be the same in kindergarten but my special ed students are taught reading, language, spelling and math in another class. They come back to me for lunch, specials, recess and about 2 hours that includes science and social st. I don't really have a suggestion on wether to hold him back or not. I just know if he is struggling in kindergarten then you can bet he will struggle in first unless he catches up on the skills he has missed somewhere.
My thoughts on your situation First of all, hats off to you for doing so much work to help your son. If I were you, I'd let them test him for the Special Ed program and start from there. If he qualifies, then he may also be eligible to have an extended day/extended school year to help but this all depends on what your state laws are in relation to this. If it were an option to put him into a different school for next year that would allow him to be there all day, I'd explore that. As for what to do immediately, I would contact the principal and share your concerns about retention and take EVERY piece of documentation that you have. You say that she is a second year teacher and she may or may not be fully "in the know" about what to do or what is best for a child in this situation. Most of all, continue to be an advocate for him and state the facts and your case but keep encouraging your child!
A lot of thought and documentation goes into retaining a student. Ask to see all documentation (your child's work) and what is expected of a student for his age. Our school has a "scope and sequence", or guidelines which lets you know exactly what your child should be doing. For special ed, he will need to be tested. A teacher just can't decide that a student needs special ed. The student is screened for that. There is a team of specialists who along with the guidance counselors will determine the special ed. part. As a veteran teacher I'm a little frustrated with the new teachers coming in. It seems they are quick to "label". Please be informed that this one teacher can not make this determination, it is a team of specialists! Hope this helps and good luck with your little one.