reading in public schools
Christine Masloske
I'm looking for comments, experience, feedback, etc., on a kind of
unusual question.
My best friend is a single working mother of an 8 yo boy. Her son
was a preemie, and like all children, is developing at his own pace.
He was held back for 1st grade last year & is now in second grade. I
just received a call from his mother very, very upset about his
parent/teacher conference.
The child is tutored in reading by the school (high school students)
and his mother spends literally hours with him at night on reading
the assigned material. The school is telling her that her son is at
a beginning 1st grade reading level and they are planning on
administering a battery of tests including a physician's exam,
learning disability tests and a psychological evaluation.
My friend is beside herself trying to deal with this and has, like in
the past, turned to me for some advice. I'm not sure anymore what to
say to her that could possibly help the situation; homeschooling is
not an option for them. I am a firm believer in John Holt's advice
on learning to read on your own, when you are ready. My hs'd
children have learned how to read on their own, at their own pace,
and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I'm in search of practical advice or websites to pass along to her.
Her son used to excel in math but is now having trouble with the
simplest equations (6+2); he is very social, musically inclined and
has a terrific sense of humor. In my eyes, he lacks very little for
an 8 yo boy and they are being extrememly pressured by the school to
make him a second grade reader or they are going to label him as a
learning disability.
I'd so much like to give her real, useful, practical and caring
advice and I hope that some of you can help out here. It is breaking
my heart to see people I care so deeply about going through all of
the things that our family has had the good fortune to NOT experience.
Thanking all of you in advance for any suggestions...
Chris
(loving mom to Jason (8), Angela (6), Daniel (3) and expecting in
March!!!)
unusual question.
My best friend is a single working mother of an 8 yo boy. Her son
was a preemie, and like all children, is developing at his own pace.
He was held back for 1st grade last year & is now in second grade. I
just received a call from his mother very, very upset about his
parent/teacher conference.
The child is tutored in reading by the school (high school students)
and his mother spends literally hours with him at night on reading
the assigned material. The school is telling her that her son is at
a beginning 1st grade reading level and they are planning on
administering a battery of tests including a physician's exam,
learning disability tests and a psychological evaluation.
My friend is beside herself trying to deal with this and has, like in
the past, turned to me for some advice. I'm not sure anymore what to
say to her that could possibly help the situation; homeschooling is
not an option for them. I am a firm believer in John Holt's advice
on learning to read on your own, when you are ready. My hs'd
children have learned how to read on their own, at their own pace,
and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I'm in search of practical advice or websites to pass along to her.
Her son used to excel in math but is now having trouble with the
simplest equations (6+2); he is very social, musically inclined and
has a terrific sense of humor. In my eyes, he lacks very little for
an 8 yo boy and they are being extrememly pressured by the school to
make him a second grade reader or they are going to label him as a
learning disability.
I'd so much like to give her real, useful, practical and caring
advice and I hope that some of you can help out here. It is breaking
my heart to see people I care so deeply about going through all of
the things that our family has had the good fortune to NOT experience.
Thanking all of you in advance for any suggestions...
Chris
(loving mom to Jason (8), Angela (6), Daniel (3) and expecting in
March!!!)
[email protected]
In a message dated 11/22/2000 5:27:13 PM !!!First Boot!!!,
cmas100@... writes:
<< nse of humor. In my eyes, he lacks very little for
an 8 yo boy and they are being extrememly pressured by the school to
make him a second grade reader or they are going to label him as a
learning disability. >>
He sounds wonderful but, now don't bite my head off, does he have some sort
of disability? Something that requires special ed of some sort? He has a
tutor and his mom helping him a lot and he's not catching on -- so is there
some reason beyond just not being personally ready? Maybe, maybe not. It
sounds like they are looking for an ld, to me. One may exist. Or not.
Betcha a dollar they find one -- whether it's there or not.
OTOH, even if the student is tested as ld, the parent still has to sign off
to have them included in the special ed class (or whatever service is
provided). She can disagree with whatever their ultimate finding is. Or she
can refuse to have her son tested in the first place.
Of course, she will then probably be written off as "diffficult."
There has to be some sort of publication she can get from the school or
special ed dept at the the school baord which outlines her rights. Or on
line.
If you live in Florida, I might even have a copy of the one we got when my
son was tested. (Different testing, same pages of legalese, I think.)
Nance
cmas100@... writes:
<< nse of humor. In my eyes, he lacks very little for
an 8 yo boy and they are being extrememly pressured by the school to
make him a second grade reader or they are going to label him as a
learning disability. >>
He sounds wonderful but, now don't bite my head off, does he have some sort
of disability? Something that requires special ed of some sort? He has a
tutor and his mom helping him a lot and he's not catching on -- so is there
some reason beyond just not being personally ready? Maybe, maybe not. It
sounds like they are looking for an ld, to me. One may exist. Or not.
Betcha a dollar they find one -- whether it's there or not.
OTOH, even if the student is tested as ld, the parent still has to sign off
to have them included in the special ed class (or whatever service is
provided). She can disagree with whatever their ultimate finding is. Or she
can refuse to have her son tested in the first place.
Of course, she will then probably be written off as "diffficult."
There has to be some sort of publication she can get from the school or
special ed dept at the the school baord which outlines her rights. Or on
line.
If you live in Florida, I might even have a copy of the one we got when my
son was tested. (Different testing, same pages of legalese, I think.)
Nance
Samantha Stopple
>I think this is very likely. (as I am quickly becoming
> Betcha a dollar they find one -- whether it's there
> or not.
cynical about the whole system and my kids have not
entered it nor I hope ever will). Anyway it is my
understanding that the school gets more money for kids
with learning disabilities. The money may not be
spent for that child very wisely or for that child at
all.
Definetly important to get informed what her rights
are as the parent. I would suggest she not let them
test him or do anything until she feels completely
informed.
Even if one has their kids in school things can be
looked at differently if we think of the teachers as
resources rather than someone we need to 'obey. I
don't mean to disrespect the teacher or other
officials here I just mean to find a way as the parent
to have the teacher help you rather than someone you
have to fight. I think its difficult because I don't
think teachers/officials are entitrely honest about
what they and the school are all about.
I hope that helps...The words I want to pass on is
empower yourself.
Samantha
Who apologizes for posting w/o introducing myself yet.
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