From: "Suzanne Heath" To: "Pam Wright" Subject: Fw: Date: Monday, June 06, 2005 6:42 PM ----- Original Message ----- From: Suzanne Heath To: dboys2565@aol.com Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 2:02 PM Subject: Re: Focus on the structure that is supposed to be in place and do not be distracted by the structure that others may want to superimpose on the IEP processes. 1-Your son has an IEP. 2-His grades indicate that the IEP is insufficient to meet his needs. 3-The IEP team needs to meet and rewrite the IEP to intensify services so that it meets your son's needs. You do not need to be concerned with staff issues at the school. Let the teacher con=plain to her supervisor that she does not have enough training or support for the job that has been assigned to her. It is not your problem. Write a letter to the principal and tell her you would like to schedule and IEP team meeting to review the IEP and rewrite it to meet your son's needs. To prepare for this meeting, go to your state department of education website and print out the academic content standards. These may also be called curriculum frameworks or grade level equivalents. This is what the state has determined that children in each grade need to know and be able to do. This is the curriculum that the school is supposed to be teaching your son. The IEP is supposed to provide the specialized instruction to make this happen. Write the IEP goals for the instruction that will teach this material to your son. Writing IEP goals http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/iep.success.bateman.htm Understanding Tests and Measurements http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/tests_measurements.html Don't let the teacher distract you from the issue. The issue is that someone a the school needs to teach your son. It is not your job to hold their hand while they do it, or listen to their job problems. Sue Heath ----- Original Message ----- From: dboys2565@aol.com To: sueheath@wrightslaw.com ; " Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 1:17 PM DEAR SUE, I AM NEW TO THIS SPECIAL EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT. I HAVE A 13 YEAR OLD SON CURRENTLY IN 7TH GRADE. HE HAS A HEART CONDITION SINCE BIRTH AND HAS UNDERGONE 2 OPEN HEART SURGERIES. DUE THIS FACT HE CANNOT BE MEDICATED FOR HIS ADD/HD CONDITION. I HAVE BEEN TO THE SCHOOL AND MET WITH THE CHILD STUDY TEAM, GUIDANCE DEPT, DEVELOPED AN IEP FOR HIM. DURING THE YEAR I HAVE TRIED TO KEEP CLOSE ATTENTION TO HIS WORK. HOWEVER, A TEACHER OF HIS HAS PROVIDED US WITH LESS THAN ADEQUATE SUPPORT AND HAS TAKEN THE ATTITUDE THAT HE IS A BURDEN ON HER SCHEDULE AND RESENTS THE FACT THAT SHE NEEDS TO HELP HIM MORE. HIS GRADES HAVE STEADILY DECLINED EACH QUARTER THRU THE YEAR. I HAVE SAT WITH HER AT PARENT / TEACHER CONFERENCES WHERE I HAV! E BEEN TOLD MY SON NEEDS TO TAKE ON MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS WORK. HOW CAN I GET THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO HELP HIM MORE IN HIS CLASSES? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS AS FAR AS ACTION I CAN TAKE TO GET HIM MORE REQUIRED HELP? ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN GIVE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED Christopher J. Hughes 26 Thousand Oaks Terr. Howell, NJ 07731 732-730-0277