Anyone a special ed teacher?

Question

HELP ME! I'm a elementary ed. student taking a special ed course andI have an assignment due tomorrow... I'm supposed to write a mock letter home to a parent informing them of their child's dissability. I have no clue where to start...help me!! TY!!!

I know that this is unrealstic, but the fact is, the teacher gave this stupid assignment and I have to do it. I know legally it would never happen but this teacher is so idiotic and gave it to us anyway...

Answer 1

You are right about the assignment being bogus. A competent teacher would never inform a child's parents of a disability by letter. However, it is what it is....

Use a formal opener. Dear.....,
In the first paragraph introduce yourself and state your credentials. Mention your relationship with their child (are you the teacher, art instructor, counselor).
In the second paragraph mention the child's positive attributes and the areas in which the child has shown improvement.
In the third paragraph state the problem and the diagnosis. Be technical,...state exactly what the disability is, the credentials of the person who made the diagnosis, the date and time of the test and a thorough description of the disability.
In paragraph four give the good news....tell them what can be done by you to assist the child and what they can do to assist their child.
In the last paragraph close by saying something like.... I understand that this may have taken you by surprise, if I can do anything to further assist you, if you have any questions, or you just want to talk, please don't hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at.... (give your daytime phone number and any other contact number that you are comfortable to give out). Finally, refer them to the school counselor to discuss the test results further...include again the counselor's name and phone number.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Here in our district, first you would have a minimum of two meetings with the teacher to discuss interventions and accommodations. If there was no improvement the parent would sign an assessment plan to have the child tested for learning disabilities. The final step would then be to meet with the parent to discuss the results of the testing, and the possibility of placement in special education. The testing and the initial meeting are done by the school psychologist, not the special ed teacher. We would never tell a parent in a letter of a disability, but I suppose if this is for an assignment you could start off by refering to your previous meetings and the things you discussed with the parent and then tell them about the results of your testing, and finally ask them about their feelings about placement in a special education program.

Answer 3

You don't write a letter to a parent informing them of a disability. You can not make that diagnosis. Neither can anyone at the school. The school can't even suggest that the parent take a child to the doctor because they think the child has a certain disability. Legally it can not be done. You should not write a mock letter because a school would not do this.(legally)

Answer 4

I actually have a masters in early adolescence specific ed. There are greater jobs in specific ed, however the pay is commonly the comparable because of the fact the union will negotiate pay scales for all instructors with masters stages. you may no longer complication too a lot approximately 'advantages', i could advise you to ascertain in case you elect to do accepted ed or specific ed and then take it from there to ascertain what age you elect to artwork with. The specific ed credential probably would not provide you just about as a lot coaching and coaching because of the fact the masters in specific ed could, so which you likely could be a much greater efficient specific ed instructor in case you went for the masters in specific ed. stable luck!

Answer 5

I've taught special ed for over twenty years and this is still a very sensitive area. I would definately be as positive as possible, both about the actual disability as well as about suggestions you will be making.--Actually, I would NEVER make this type of contact through a letter. I would schedule a meeting to broach the subject at that time.
Good luck to you. This is a wonderful field, full of hard work and planning.

Answer 6

We'll if the assignments stupid then be creative and write in a stupid but smart way. Make up a fake disease and just be overall creative.

Answer 7

perhaps you could make up a time when you were with the child and you noticed some "classic symptoms" of a disability, and "some quick, general preliminary tests have shown that your child may have such and such disability." with your permission we'd like to do some further tests to confirm (if the facility can do so/is authorized to do so) or if they're not: "we suggest that you take your child to "insert name of testing facility"

Answer 8

Dear Mrs. Smith,

As a result of the testing that has been conducted, it has benn determined that your son/daughter has... etc, etc, blah, blah, blah.