Conform! The schools here are driving me crazy.

[Not_Giving_Up]

First, there was standardized dress. They can wear black, navy, or khaki pants. The shirts must be of solid color and have a collar. Belts are required. They all look like little drones. They said it was so the less fortunate kids wouldn't get picked on. However, shoes are still pretty much open. So, my children get picked on because they don't have the mega-expensive shoes. Sorry, but they outgrow shoes every six months or so, and I'm not made of money.

Now, we are approaching that time of year when the state standardized test is given. Last year, my daughter was pulled out of class and kept after school for tutoring in math every day for a month. Once the test was over, no more tutoring was required. Now, my Aspie son was kept after school the other day because he refuses to use their test strategies. He's an Aspie, he doesn't think the same way that most people do. He doesn't need to draw a picture to explain how he got an answer. On the test, they won't be looking at how the kid got the answer...all they care about is if the right bubble got colored in. When I went to pick him up, the Assistant Principal handed me a piece of paper that was a declaration that my child would use the strategies during his classwork or he would fail, and that if he failed the test he would fail for the year. There were lines for me, my child, and the Assistant Principal to sign. They said they aren't going to make him sign it yet, but they will if he doesn't do what they want him to do. The thing is, everybody knows that if you fail the test you're retained. A straight 'A' student could bomb the test and be held back a year. We don't need a piece of paper to tell us that, and it's never been a problem. He's always scored high on the test, even falling into the "commended" category in math. The piece of paper is basically to get him to agree to think just like they do.

I wish I could homeschool.

[thinkingwoman]

1. I wish I could homeschool

Why can't you?

[Not_Giving_Up]

5. A few reasons

1. I normally work full time. I've been unemployed for a while now, but there's a good chance that I'll be working very soon, if a lead pans out.

2. My Aspie kiddo needs interaction with other kids in a controlled environment.

3. I don't have the patience. Mr. Aspie knows how to push my buttons.

I'm starting to look into it though. My child was recently given a conduct mark for telling a teacher that we weren't a free country under dubya.

[thinkingwoman]

13. those are all real obstacles

Some may be insurmountable. Others may not. It all depends on your individual circumstances.

Here are some things you can do to explore your options:

1. Look into a liberal or neutral homeschooling association in your area. When I started 8 years ago, we joined a local group that was incredibly inclusive. This group met formally once a month or so but smaller groups met weekly and in some instances almost daily. Classes were given and group activities were scheduled, both of which provided ample opportunity for interaction. More importantly, they provided an opportunity for parents to share supervision responsibilities, which can be very important for maintaing patience.

2. Homeschool instruction time does not have to mirror a school day. The workload completed has to mirror the same as a typical school day. In my exprience (and the standard often applied by my local public schools when a child is experiencing an extended illness, injury) is surprisingly a couple of (2-3) hours per day. Even full time workers can often find that much time each day.

3. Laws and regulations vary enormously by state. Contact your state dept. of ed for local requirements.

4. Talk to local homeschoolers and local parents with "Aspie" kiddos and see what they say. They should have much more relevant experience and advice for you.

Good luck and remember that after careful consideration, whatever you decide will be best for your family. Trust your insticts and feelings. You are the parent.

[Not_Giving_Up]

17. A liberal homeschooling association?

:rofl:

I live in Tom DeLay's district. How many liberal ANYTHINGS do you think we have here?

Seriously, I am doing some research online.

[thinkingwoman]

87. omg you live in Tom Delay's district?

Well, have you considered moving? :evilgrin:

Actually, isn't he supposed to lose the next election? You'll probably want to cast your vote for that and feel it count for the first time, right?

Yep, online is the way to go.

[Not_Giving_Up]

20. OK, I googled "Homeschool", my town, and Texas

I got this http://www.sethsa.org/links.html

I really love this...

Under Science, they have a link to The Center For Scientific Creation.

Under Sponsors, they list Bob Jones University

I am friggin doomed.

[thinkingwoman]

86. ROFL

There is some kind of homeschool legal defense site that lists laws (in plain English) for each state.

Did you try googling secular homeschool association texas?


P.S. Bob Jones University... :eyes:

[msongs]

2. "aspie"? do you mean your son is

aspergers syndrome defined by diagnosis? you do not provide details. If I am correct,
your son qualifies under special education provisions for accomodations on any testing
given him by a school district. Aspergers kids can be home schooled, legally, I think.


Msongs
www.msongs.com/liberaltshirts.htm

[Not_Giving_Up]

6. Yes, he's diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome

He does have things in place at school to help him out, and for the most part, they work. I have been told that he may be given a different test for writing (which he really struggles with), but they haven't made a decision yet about the math test. However, since the "strategies" are basially the only thing being taught right now, they are a major part of his grade. If he doesn't use them, they will fail him.

[seabeyond]

21. i am with you in the system, in texas. but i like it. i thank them and

support them. not with the dress code. tshirt and jeans are for our house. i can afford the tennis shoes, and not a chance in hell i am going to spend my money on that shit, why i can afford them, lol lol

i had kids in private. i wasnt impressed academically and i wasnt impressed on expectation of child, or demand

my youngest is ok, but my oldest has issues, like yours. i call it a fuzzy brain. smart as all get up..... but a einstein obtuseness.......this schol doesnt miss around. detentions, good child/bad child..... punishment, discipline.

my son got detention for a 96% on science test i didnt sign. i got it out of folder, praised him, put back in folder without signing and he got detention.

he had 5 high a's and a high b and was put in tutoring for math. got a 79 on practice math test. second son, straight a's in tutoring two days a week because of fine motor skills. i like it. i like that the school does this. i like the demands. it isnt how i rule the house, ergo my children are being given another world that they have to learn how to adjust and live in

i cut them a whole lot of slack though, to make up for this in other areas. and though i support my kids, i always will support teacher and school. (unless i deem otherwise)

anyway, just another perspective. you the mama knows best. you the mama..... are after all the mama. the one in charge

[Not_Giving_Up]

22. Like you...

I support the kids, but I also don't bad mouth the school in front of the kid. When they handed me the piece of paper, I just took it...they said I could take it home with me, since they aren't making us sign it yet, as a reminder to him of what will happen. As far as he knows, I'm expecting him to do the damn strategies for right now.

[seabeyond]

30. alright i hear you. i do that. and some things

we discuss to where we can sya how we see it different, but...... it is their rule. good for you. i know what you are talking about the writing on the side. my son started it this year, just been out of private school for a year. interesting concept. and son excels at comprehension and doesnt need it. but he needs it in math

but.... i just find it truly inteesting how our kids brains are working, lol lol..... unique and their own way that is for sure. and school and law trying to figure it out.

wait until they want to bring in the psych tests and drug the kids. i have a son, niece and nephew that will fail

[Not_Giving_Up]

33. My son is on meds already

He's not just an Aspie, he's ADHD too. The meds keep him focused in class without making him a zombie. In October, he was hospitalized, and meds were taken away and added, and he's doing much better now.

Mine is dysgraphic...He can verbalize intelligently all day long, but please don't ask him to put his thoughts on paper, it gets jumbled along the way.

[seabeyond]

36. wow, interesting. thanks

i have just been studying all this cause of my first child. i just sit in constant amazement at this kid. lol lol. have gotten books on the different thinking processes, real interesting.

mine would probably be add, he is not hyper or impulsive

[proud2BlibKansan]

38. ADD kids ARE impulsive

They just aren't (as) hyper as ADHD kids.

[seabeyond]

42. i cant really hold to anything with this kid

they want to put him in add, and i see some, i see autism........dont really know what the kid is all about. why i call it a wonderfully fuzzy brain. lol lol

he has always done the best with structured teachers. 2nd grade, he was doing miserably. when i walked in the class and saw all the chaos and disorganization it was so clear his problem with the class. he cannot follow instruction. will skip one, two three, do four, and miss five and six. lol lol.

he is in confusion most of his life. then he panics. odd stuff

[proud2BlibKansan]

48. I assume you have consulted with a doctor?

We had great luck with developmental pediatricians for our kids. We have two boys, one ADD and one ADHD, both now in their 20s and doing well.

Sounds like counseling may help also. He needs to understand how to understand himself and how he functions.

I hear you about the structure. How true!

[seabeyond]

56. i havent. for different reasons

throughout his life different people have come in at opportune moments that help us. a teacher/book here, my brother in law a psychiatrist.... but really we do a lot of it in house. 3rd grade teacher got a masters in child behavior development, and we implemented a lot of changes, trying out different tools. os no, i dont have a name for it. it is all about edmund recognizing and learning how to embrace, love live with it and tools that will help him that he will carry a lifetime. there were times when he was younger that he would go extreme and i would be ready to take him to doctor, but we were always able to sit down and figure it out.

would be interesting

but we deal with it on a daily basis.

i do have a wonderful site though to explore that i cant wait to get into.

why i always love your posts proud, you know and talk this stuff.

[proud2BlibKansan]

67. Thanks seabeyond! What a nice thing to say.

I really would recommend a medical consult. All people like me can give you are anecdotal stories which may or may not apply to your situation. The experts are the ones you should be listening to, instead of people like me. Heck, for all you know, I may not even BE a teacher. Maybe I work as a cashier at WalMart or something. LOL

[Not_Giving_Up]

40. Check your PM

Sent you some useful info.

[MichiganVote]

11. Asperger kids do not always qualify for Special Education

All kids with a diagnosed condition must show a lack of educational benefit in regular ed. b/f they are certified for special services. Sometimes Asperger kids show this and sometimes not.
If they are certified, they may qualify for either standardized or non standardized accomodations re: state or district tests. There is also specialized testing for the very cognitively impaired.

Some students who have a disability and who do not require specialized instruction may qualify for a 504 plan. However in this case, they are not entitled to non standardized testing accomodations.

No part of any state or district test can be modified. Some tests, however, can be taken via computer. If that is available, it often works very well with Aspie kids.

Private school students do not have to take state tests.

Finally, any child can be home schooled and no home schooled kids are mandated to take district or state testing. In states that provide merit scholarships, families often opt into taking the tests, at district expense, in order to qualify for these scholarships.

Functionally, a family could opt their child out of the public school system for the state testing period, usually about a month, and re-enroll them afterward w/o having their child take the tests.

[Not_Giving_Up]

16. He does

He has an IEP (Individual Education Plan), and a Behavioral Plan in place. He's classified as gifted and special ed at the same time, which makes things fun.

There's no unenroll/re-enroll loophole...no test scores, no advancement.

[proud2BlibKansan]

35. Man that sucks

Have you asked if he is eligible for the alternative assessment? That is part of the law, that some kids be given an alternative test. It doesn't sound like your son would be eligible, as the alternative tests are for severely impaired kids, such as kids with severe brain damage who function at a very low level.

But it certainly wouldn't hurt for you to ask. I am not all that familiar with modifications for Aspie kids and the law, so it could be that he is eligible for a different test.

Good luck.

[Not_Giving_Up]

45. They have agreed to give him the alternate test for writing

but not for anything else. He doesn't even take a writing test again until next year (they don't test every subject every year, Math and Reading are the only two constants).

[proud2BlibKansan]

53. Math and Reading are mandated by NCLB

all grades 3 through 8 (or did I hear they changed it to 9?) have to be tested every year. This year - 2006 - is the first year for that requirement.

[Not_Giving_Up]

59. He's taken Math and Reading for the last three years

Last year, he also had a Science Test....Fourth grade had the first writing test, which was not modified for him. He barely passed it. (He's a sixth grader now.)

[proud2BlibKansan]

73. Why wasn't that Writing test modified?

If he is on an IEP and is dysgraphic, that test definitely should have been modified. Our kids with dysgraphia dictate to a scribe.

[MichiganVote]

46. Alternative tests are usually participatory and do not

adequately measure students who are within low avg. / avg. ability levels. Standard accomodations are quite broad in their capacity to assist SPED students w or w/o Aspie.

[proud2BlibKansan]

60. I admit I have had so few Aspie kids I am not that familiar with the regs

for them. I am in a large district and most of our Aspie and Autistic kids are served in a special program. I am certified as an LD teacher but this year they changed my caseload to cross cat. I now serve LD, MR and a few OHI kids, but no Aspies this year. I did have an Aspie kid last year but Mom pulled him out and put him in a charter school. I had an Aspie kid about 5 years ago who was awesome. He made fabulous progress. He is now in high school and comes by frequently to see me. The district tried to talk his mom into putting him in the Aspie program but she insisted he stay in the LD program. He was initially identified as LD but then was diagnosed as Aspie. But I do realize these kids are all very different. Makes you wonder about these standardized tests, doesn't it?

I also don't think it ever hurts for parents to request what they think is best for their own child; whether or not the system sees it as a realistic request is not the point. The more noise they make, the more the district will try to meet their kid's needs.

[MichiganVote]

41. In that case you're in good shape and I'll tell you why...

First, on your son's IEP you will find a segment that specifies exactly all the IEP members, of which you are one, agreed would be best for your child. This will include whether he will have standard or non standard accomodations. Why does this make a difference? Because students who have non standard accomodations are not counted in the overall report of a school. Also ineligible for any state scholarship money but that's a discussion for another day.

So, if you have lost or misplaced your kid's last IEP as most parents do, ask for a copy. Then review the sections that involve testing. Then review it with the director or supervisor of special services. Then determine for yourself if you still think it meets the needs of your kid. If not--call an IEP. Once the district so much as opens an IEP, your kid is automatically covered under the standardized accomodations that the state mandates.

Retaining a reg. ed. kid re: test results is illegal. The school must show that it has offered or instituted remidiation to resolve the problem. They must also show you data, irrespective of state test results, that indicate that your child will recieve benefits from a retention. There are scales and other items that can be used. In the case of special education students, if a student is not meeting their IEP goals and objectives, THAT needs to change first.

I know this is confusing but trust me when I say this---your principal does not understand special education or the laws surrounding those services. Challenge him / her. The school cannot arbitarily retain your child. You have rights and so does your child.

[Not_Giving_Up]

49. I know where the IEP is...just had an ARD last month

The math test is still up in the air, they reserved the right to make that decision when it got closer to the test. There are no plans for a modified Reading test, as he's never had a problem with it. Yes, I agreed to all of that. At the time of the ARD, there wasn't the hoopla over the strategies that there is now. It's the strategies, not the test that threaten my child.

In Texas, it is the law that if a child fails one or more portion of their TAKS test, they are retained or sent to summer school.

[MichiganVote]

57. Texas law cannot supercede Fed. IDEA law.

Texas sucks for this kind of thing. In Michigan I can't tell you how many students we get from Texas who are throughly screwed up b/c Texas has a rattlesnake approach to education. Ask for or re-read your Parent Handbook re: Special Education. And remember, you are considered, under law, an equal partner when it comes to IEP's and their construction. There is no such thing as 'reserving' a decision. It's either on the IEP or it's not. You have the right to review what standard / non standard accomodations are acceptable re: test taking strategies for your child. Most are posted on state education websites. If you're not satisfied, call an IEP and make them work a little harder. Most states have advocacy services for parents of Aspie students, call them up and ask them to support you.

Don't buy the bullshit.

[proud2BlibKansan]

26. Yes we can modify tests for special ed kids

They are trying to take that away, but for the time being, we can still modify for a kid on an IEP or a 504.

[MichiganVote]

47. Instructional tests--yes. But state or District tests cannot be modified.

[proud2BlibKansan]

50. Oh yes they can - that's right out of IDEA

It is a FAPE reg.

[MichiganVote]

64. A state or district test can be administered differently, but the test

itself cannot be altered. Students can take one or more portions of a state / district test in a different but the tests themselves cannot be altered. I don't know if we're talking about two different things but FAPE, free and appropriate education, does not mean that state or NCLB mandated standardized tests can be altered. Nor does IDEA permit these tests to be altered.

As I said, instructional tests or testing methods such as that utilized for classroom testing can be changed.

[proud2BlibKansan]

71. You are right the test may not be altered

but it can certainly be administered differently for IEP and 504 kids. I can read most of the tests to my kids and scribe their answers. I can give them tables and graphs and calculators and dictionaries. The general ed teachers have to take all that away - they even have to strip their walls of posters, etc.

And alternative testing is allowed, as we said before, for severely disabled kids.

But they are sure trying to take these accomodations away. Starting this year, in my state, we can no longer read the Reading tests to the kids.

[MichiganVote]

76. Progress monitoring the way to go anyway. Factually, standardized

tests only measure performance and not much else. Progress monitoring ensures evidence of progression. But try telling that to politicians who don't know shit about educating kids and could care less. In Michigan they ran into a huge problem, ongoing btw, about standard and non standard accomodations largely b/c of IEP's and the rights of SPED kids. The education dept. changes things every year and sometimes even during the testing window. Fat lot of good that does kids or teachers.

In any case, reading a resing test to kids doesn't even measure performance.

[proud2BlibKansan]

78. Well if the kid is in 4th grade and reading at kdg level,

why do we expect them to do anything but fail a 4th grade level reading test? At least when it could be read to them, we could get an idea of their comprehension skills. Now we just get to waste their time and mine as well as frustrate them by giving them an inappropriate assessment. That makes even less sense.

In my district, reading levels are tested once a month. Why can't we use that as a measure instead of a silly multiple choice reading test that is way over most of their heads anyway? Most of the NCLB testing crap makes no sense at all. I am so glad I can retire soon. This is really starting to piss me off. And I see no end to it.

[MichiganVote]

82. Sounds like you'll need to opt for the alternative testing in some cases

when it comes to reading. Believe me, both I and ALL the teachers I work with share your frustration. There won't be an end to it b/c the idea is to save the poor rich people and politicians from having to pay for kids to learn. Its the new and improved way of telling the population to go to hell and most of that population don't realize it. Once they do, it will be much too late.

[proud2BlibKansan]

83. Districts may only designate alternative testing for 2% of their kids

In my district, that 2% is almost exclusively the kids in hospital settings, group homes, juvenile justice and state schools for the severely handicapped. It is close to impossible to get alternative testing for kids enrolled in traditional public schools.

[MichiganVote]

85. Must be some district.

[proud2BlibKansan]

88. We have 20,000 kids

2% is only 400 kids.

[MichiganVote]

89. Well, it seems strange to me that kids in juvenile detention are

considered a part of your district and as far as the homebound and / or hospitalized...that too strikes me as odd that they should be among the 2% who take alternative testing. Mainly b/c the alternative testing in Michigan is limited to the cognitively or emotionally impaired to a very high degree. Guess its all done differently everywhere.

[proud2BlibKansan]

91. A lot of the kids in juvenile

are special ed kids. And the homebound/hospitalized kids are some of our more severely disabled.

I think it is a federal reg so it would be the same everywhere. But I am not positive.

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. Not all Asperger's kids qualify for special ed

[SeattleGirl]

3. Turning out little robots, huh?

I think that in many schools, there is no true learning any more. Just memorization and regurgitating. Think for yourself? Don't you dare! It's sad, and it's frightening to see what's happening to so many kids today. They are being taught to be part of the pack, to be sheeple, instead of individuals.

[Not_Giving_Up]

7. Exactly

They don't teach them to think for themselves. Creativity is not encouraged, unless it is for a competition. If it's not on the damn test, they don't teach it.

[seabeyond]

24. i was btiching about that when i was a kid

one of the reasons i hated school so much....... refuse to be a robot. but..... i wont validate kids arent learnign. i think they are. i like the public schools i have been doing with boys. though throuhg the later years i will be curious to see how welcome the otherside....(very red school and they arent shy letting everyone know) is in class. and i have jsut the two boys that will challenge that, lol lol

[MichiganVote]

4. Ask to see their retention policy. Then schedule appt. w/Asst. Supt.

[Not_Giving_Up]

9. Now that you mention it

That might be online...I'll check it out!

[MichiganVote]

12. Ceck my post #11 for additional information

If your child is certified for special education services, the IEP should specify exactly what accomodations your child is or is not entitled to.

[rucky]

8. Call their bluff.

If he aces the test, they won't follow through.

[Not_Giving_Up]

10. I'm not worried about the test

The thing is, they're making him use the strategies in classwork. If he doesn't write down what they want to see to explain where the answers came from, they count off, or sometimes refuse to let him turn it in until he has done what they wanted. So, they could, hypothetically, fail him for not doing the strategies, because they have made the strategies a grade.

[rucky]

15. They need to read up on multiple intelligences:

http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm

If they really want the kids to succeed, they'd be teaching multiple methods for different types of learners.

[Not_Giving_Up]

18. That's the funny thing

The rest of the school year, they are fine with the way that he thinks. In fact, his teachers last year found his way of looking at things quite refreshing. It's just during TAKS time that get like this with him.

[seabeyond]

32. and then, i dont know state or fed, talking pay goes into taks

test. that one is scary. i see how they are now with the test. as soon as i read they wanted bonuses to go to the teachers where kids excelled at tests, with this school, i was bothered. i really dont want pay to be influenced by this. are you in texas?

[Not_Giving_Up]

34. Yep, I'm in Texas

The kid doesn't pass the TAKS, the kid doesn't advance. The schools are graded on how well the kids do on TAKS. They teach nothing but the test.

[seabeyond]

39. i put my kids initially into private school because of taks test

but we only have religious private schools. lol lol. after election in 2004 it became so hostile, and my son who had always gotten 100's not just a's but 100's in bible refused to open bible anymore because of the hypocrisy. i ma really thrilled with public, after that experience. and honestly.....this private is tied at top with another private, and the academics failed compared to what kids get in the public today. for real. i was very concerned with boys academic requirements in private school.

[Not_Giving_Up]

43. My fundie parents had my brother in a

Baptist private school from second grade until the end of eighth grade. My brother wanted to go to public high school with his neighborhood friends. My parents reluctantly agreed, then found out what he wasn't learning at the private school. He spent his freshman year catching up on what he didn't know. He got it together and ended up going to college out of state on scholarship.

[proud2BlibKansan]

28. Unfortunately, the tests are not based on Gardner's theory

I hear you. He makes more sense than any other 'expert' these days, but the tests only assess knowledge, not intelligence.

[skygazer]

14. I've always hated that

And it's nothing new, though having papers to sign and documenting it is new. When I was in school, I used to have pitched battles with my teachers over this very thing - there is never only one way to do anything. And my way worked as well as theirs - I ALWAYS came up with the same answer.

I hate the idea that everyone has to think alike. It's so 1984.

[Not_Giving_Up]

19. True

I remember a boy in my class in elementary school who was a lot like my son. He did math problems in his head, which forever frustrated the teachers trying to get him to show his work, and he always had another way to get to the problem. The teachers would tell him not to voice the alternative methods because he would confuse the rest of the class.

I'm sorry, but I'm not signing that piece of paper. They can go jump in a lake.

[proud2BlibKansan]

23. Are you sure he doesn't have to use those strategies on the test?

In my state, the tests include performance events where the score is derived from HOW they solved the problem as well as if they got the correct answer. That is a fairly typical practice nationwide nowadays.

[Not_Giving_Up]

27. I'm pretty sure that we're in the same state

I haven't been told that on the actual test they look at how the answer was derived. I know that when they took the practice test, after it was over they went though the ones that the child missed and harped on him for not using the stategies, but they didn't seem to care the questions that were answered correctly didn't have the strategies on them.

[proud2BlibKansan]

31. No I am not in Texas

and I am not familiar with their tests. But it is more and more common to have to explain strategies. I believe the SAT is now requiring that. So as much as he hates doing it, he does need to learn to do this to be sucessful in school.

[Not_Giving_Up]

37. Sorry...for some reason I thought you were

I agree that he needs to learn the strategies...they might be helpful...But if he's getting the right answer without the extra writing (which he hates), then it shouldn't matter.

[proud2BlibKansan]

44. We are moving more toward learning processes and moving away from

rote knowledge, which in the long run is a good thing. It is far better that students know how to learn than knowing unrelated facts to spit out when prompted.

But I can certainly understand your son's unwillingness to show strategies. If he is dysgraphic, is that just with writing and written language? Does he like to draw? Or does he shun paper and pencil entirely? My son was severly dysgraphic but loved to draw. We were able to teach him a lot of things by letting him illustrate with pictures instead of writing words. I would also strongly recommend keyboarding skills. The sooner your son learns to type the happier he will be in school.

[Not_Giving_Up]

51. Nope, he hates to draw

He has fine motor skills problems, part of the Asperger's, which make writing very difficult for him. Keyboarding skills are already in place...he learned in third grade because the teacher couldn't read anything he wrote.

[proud2BlibKansan]

62. So can he dictate to a scribe?

If not, that should definitely be added as a testing modification.

[Not_Giving_Up]

68. In class he is allowed to respond verbally when he's having trouble

writing. However, the school is telling me that he can't do that for TAKS...he has to do the writing himself.

[proud2BlibKansan]

74. That really sucks

And I am recommending you investigate IDEA regs. I honestly believe he should be allowed, under existing regs, to dictate to a scribe. He would definitely get that modification/accomodation where I work. This isn't a state by state difference, IDEA is the FEDERAL law. Texas HAS TO abide by it.

Is there a parent org in your area? The ones we have here are excellent. They are also mandated by IDEA. Every state must allocate a certain amount of resources for parent education and training in special ed/disability issues.

[Not_Giving_Up]

79. I'm looking into it, that's for sure

I remember when he was in first grade, and all hell started breaking loose. He had already been diagnosed ADHD, but wasn't on meds. The school tried to just throw him away. I found resoures online and learned about 504 Plans and IEPs and what they could and couldn't do. Things changed rapidly after that. The problem is, they keep changing the rules, and I haven't been submerged in that like I once was. Last year was a really good year for him. His teachers worked with him, and he gave them what they asked for and more. This year, the teachers are rigid, and he is struggling.

[proud2BlibKansan]

80. Feel free to PM me anytime

I am not an expert but I do this for a living and I am glad to help when and if I can.

[SmokingJacket]

29. That burns me up.

The math "strategies" they teach my kid are counter-intuitive and hard to remember. Fortunately they're more relaxed around here and don't care whether he uses them or not.

But to demand your son does things their way, or fail??? What kind of anti-education policy is that???

I think a good public school education is better for a kid than homeschooling (in most cases), but I'd be thinking of doing it if I were in your shoes, too.

[Not_Giving_Up]

52. Exactly

I remember the prep sessions when I was high school. I didn't need the strategies, I did just fine without them. Some of them were useful, but they weren't required.

[LWolf]

54. I would suggest that

anyone who is tired of the "standardization" cancer that has spread and choked the life out of public ed ought to be making more noise about it to their reps.

Republicans aren't the only politicians who have supported legislative/policy efforts to standardize public schools at the local, state, or national level. Plenty of Democrats have helped along the way, and are still helping. Then when you call them on it, they decry the "lack of funding," and call for full funding of their efforts, rather than acknowledging the destructive results of top-down standardization.

How about full funding for individualized curriculum and instruction, designed to meet the needs of individual students, to replace the obsessive/compulsive need to standardize every damned breath we breathe in the classroom? You won't hear many policy setters calling for this, because they don't want to upset the applecart they helped create. When you get this sort of response from your admins, it's probably due to policies set at the district level to comply with mandated "improvement plans" because at least one school in the district didn't make AYP for a few years running. Those plans always call for more standardization.

As for your Aspie, in the current stepford school climate enforced from above, recognizing and honoring individual differences is not a priority, is it? There are differences from state to state and district to district; not all are like this. Those that still make efforts to meet individual needs are those that haven't gone too far down the current NCLB road....yet. I worked with a wonderful Aspie K-5th grade; it was never easy, and I could see that he had needs we just didn't have the structure or resources to meet. I'd be right with any group of parents, citizens, or educators who wanted to make large-scale shifts in the structure and format we use to educate kids in order to meet individual needs. Usually, when I bring it up, it is just not anyone's "priority," what with all the other fashionable crises we've endured the last several years.

[Not_Giving_Up]

61. Well...NCLB was pioneered in Texas

They used the Houston schools to really guinea pig it. Of course, after it became a federal thing, they discovered that the results from the tests in Houston had been cooked. All of the elected officials where I live are repugs, and they don't give a damn.

[LWolf]

81. In Texas,

under GWB.

In Florida, under Jeb.

In my (then) state of California, under Pete Wilson.

There were some others. The "standards and accountability" movement that rests on the foundation of high-stakes testing was "piloted" in numerous states; it just went national with GWB.

[PA Democrat]

55. I would request a meeting with school personnel

to discuss the matter. Is there a specific reason that he must use their testing strategies? I know that standardized tests in my state require students to show their work on math problems. Is that why they want him to conform?

Regardless, with a kid with an Asperger's diagnosis, threats and punishment are not usually the best way to go to get them to change their behavior. It sounds like there is some type of power struggle going on between the teacher and your child. Is there a professional at your school or someone with whom your son has worked that could attend a meeting with you to come up with strategies to address this issue?

[Not_Giving_Up]

63. It likely is a power struggle at this point

Instead of explaining to him how these things will help him, they send him to the office when he doesn't. There is one person at the school who has consistently had a voice of reason in these matters, and I'm waiting to hear back from her.

[PA Democrat]

75. Definitely enlist the help of the help of that person.

The key is that if your son for some reason absolutely has to use their strategies, you need to find a way to get him to change. You may have to reopen his IEP (you can request it be reopened) to include positive approaches to get your son to change his test-taking strategies.

The way your son approaches a test is more than likely a function of the unique way in which his brain is wired. Sending him to the office or threatening to fail him every time he does what is natural to him is probably not going to bring about the changes the school is looking for and will only make him frustrated and angry.

[Not_Giving_Up]

77. Definitely

I've also e-mailed the teachers, asking for a summary of the strategies that he's supposed to be using. I can't help him absorb them if I don't know what they are. When I ask my son, he just screeches "I don't know what the stupid strategies are!". I think that he does, but he knows that if I know them, I'll work with him on them, and he doesn't want that. They've got him so frustrated, he gave up.

I did this in fourth grade when they were pushing QDPAC. The teacher stayed after school to tutor me on what was expected of my child. I worked a few math problems using QDPAC, then went home and sat down with my child. By the end of that week, he was doing it.

There is very little communication between the teachers and the parents until the child is in trouble. They have two phone numbers to reach me, not to mention my e-mail address, and this just recently became a problem??

[mandyky]

58. Why isn't your "Aspie" son in special ed?

There by special ed is not in the normal testting? And why are you calling him Aspie and Mr. Aspie?

It is bad enough that kids call name without parents doing it. I have a son who is mildly autistic, he is in special ed and we are trying to work him into some activities at his grade level. I am trying hard never to label him in his hearing anyway, so hopefully you are NOT callng yours Mr Aspie to his face. Lord have mercy, don't home school if you are.

[Not_Giving_Up]

66. He's in a regular classroom, but receives Special Ed services

Of course I don't call him that to his face. I only do it here when it is necessary to indicate that he has Asperger's. You need to take a deep breath.

[Maestro]

65. I'm sorry you are going through this.

I'm an AP in an inner-city school in the Dallas area. We specifically tell our teachers not to do all that BS with the tests, but to just teach kids to be creative and critical thinkers. Yes, from time to time we will pull a state formatted exam to get the kids used to taking it because as you say, if they do not pass, they fail. It is truly high-stakes idiotic testing. BTW, you do realize that by law if your child fails the test, a Grade Level Placement meeting must be held and in that meeting you can appeal the retention. It's not as automatic as some think. It does depend on how progressive your school admin is though. The bushbot schools tend to retain kids more.

[Not_Giving_Up]

69. The teachers are forced by the admin to do this crap here

I've had more than one teacher tell me that they don't really get to teach anything but the test anymore. My school admin is anything BUT progressive.

[Maestro]

70. Sorry once again.

We tell our teachers to do the opposite. I hope it works out for you. PM me if you want more info.

[Not_Giving_Up]

72. Thanks...

I'm trying to find online homeschool info, but everything I find for my area is Christian, and seems to give hints on how to teach Creationism. :banghead:

[Warren DeMontague]

84. Just wait'll they bring the mandatory prayer back. nt

[kineneb]

90. gee, I could never make it in elementary school now

I was (and am) a brilliant but cranky student. I almost never turned in my writing assignments because I hated writing papers. (I am procrastinating on my Master's thesis right now). If I felt the work was a waste of time I didn't bother doing it. So I passed high school with reasonable grades, but not great. College was much better.

I never tested well on English and math on the standardized tests, despite the fact I completed Pre-calculus. I aced the abstract reasoning tests given in 9th grade and scored in the 55th percentile in English, and 60% in math. My motto was "get through elementary and secondary school, excel in junior college and beyond."

Hang in there. Is there anyway you can get you child exempted from the tests altogether? You could make the case that the test do not accurately reflect your child's abilities. Also, is there any way to transfer out of that school to a different one? Is there anything like a continuation school for elementary level kids?