I have a 16 year old son,who is soon to be 17.He is still in the 9th grade.He has trouble catching on to his school work,i guess.He is starting to get frustrated with school because of this.It's getting even more frustrating since he is so far behind everyone else.What direction do you think is best for him at this point?He lives in Richmond,VA.Is there any grants or special programs there to help him get back into his right grade or help him to just move on and learn?He also is starting to hang out and getting in all sorts of trouble.
2006-08-15 14:09:25 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Special Education
Has your son been evaluated or tested by his educators? He may have a learning disability of some type?
This is done within his school district and does not cost the parent? I would speak to the guidance counselor at the school he attends.
2006-08-15 19:04:33 · answer #1 · answered by lana k 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is he already receiving help through special education? If so, is he showing measurable academic progress? If he is making gains in what he knows, even if not at grade level, then the school is doing its job. If you want to see faster academic growth, hire a tutor.
If he is NOT showing measurable academic progress (gaining new print words, knowledge in math/science/social studies, writing skills, etc.), you should call a new IEP and demand some answers as to why. Don't take any "he just can't" business of them, either. It is their job to find ways to make sure he can.
On the other hand, IF they say he is constantly off-task, has a bad attitude toward work, etc., then he needs to be on a Behavior Intervention Plan, and even possibly be put in their Behavior program. Or, you can ground his rear end until he starts making an effort at school.
http://www.wrightslaw.com/ is an excellent site covering parent rights in special education, program requirements, etc.
If your son is getting into trouble hanging out, be a strong parent, show some tough love, and ground him.
How much homework does he do each night? Do you check his work and make him do wrong answers over?
If you feel you can't confront him, then you have taught him that he is your boss, rather than the other way around. You need to re-teach him, and yourself, to see you as the boss. Remember who actually pays for the home and buys the food! You control his basic needs. Use that. Right now, you are not his friend. You are his parent. What sort of life do you picture for him at age 30? What do YOU need to do to help him get there?
So...
Become involved with his program at school. Ask to observe the classroom (it is your right), see the teacher's lesson plans, data collected on your son showing progress, etc. Use the Wrightslaw link above to help you.
Supervise his after school time. Ground him from hanging out if he isn't acting trustworthy there. Check his homework and make him correct errors.
If your son is NOT in Special Education, put in a formal written request for an evaluation, including the things you have observed about his lack of progress and frustration.
If your son IS in Special Education, and the teacher(s) can show that they have been making an effort with your child, and he is trying, but not making gains, call a new IEP meeting to discuss the lack of gain and what else the educational team can try.
If your son is making gains, but you are dissatisfied with his progress rate, hire a tutor.
Be strong!
2006-08-16 06:58:35 · answer #2 · answered by spedusource 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would get a personal professional tutor. it probably is more expensive, but i bet he could use the 1-on-1 attention...plus it takes away the stress of being with another group of students.
after he finishes high school...i'm sure ur main concern is how is he gonna get a career? will he go to college? i would look into non-conventional avenues for him...like trying to teach him some business/financial skills so that he can start & maintain a business & know what to do when he makes money. have him read some of those books by suze orman and robert kiyosaki to start. another option- have him go to gia & learn about diamonds/gems, so he can develop a business out of that.
also...i hope u don't make him feel bad for not getting fancy college degrees...he can find success via other avenues. just be supportive and positive. :)
2006-08-15 21:27:26 · answer #3 · answered by chloe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get him a counseler and get help from the school, principles, school board, etc. Do everything you can to help him! Don't let him hang out with bad influences and do bad things... instead say NO and make him stay inside and do his school work. Only let him be with good influences and don't let him party 24/7... but you have to let him have a little fun.
2006-08-15 21:12:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
www.fastweb.com
If your kid needs help with grammar, I would recommend "School House Rock". Go to your local video store and let him see it. Whenever I had to find verbs,nouns,etc., I would just sing the song in my head.
2006-08-15 23:13:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe you should beat his @$$. thats what my mom did when i failed a grade. youre the adult he's the child. show da boy some dicipline. no matter what help you get for him he still gone end up doing the same thing, because YOU are not doing YOUR job. givem TOUGH love.
2006-08-15 21:17:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
what about that "No child left behind" program that bush "made"?
2006-08-15 21:14:47 · answer #7 · answered by Sweet Dreams 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋