What is out there for the kids who have already been "left behind" by the school systems?

Question

You hear so much about "keeping" our children who are currently in school from falling through the cracks of the system. What about the kids who have already been let down by the school system, but haven't yet graduated. The kids on IEP's and 504 plans. What is their college options?

I am the parent of a son on an IEP. I've had to enlist the help of my local Legal rights agency even though I am his biggest advocate. He wants more than "paper or plastic" (thank you for being so brutal) He wants more than community college. He takes a lot longer to get where he needs to go because before legal rights, I was abused by the same system for trying to advocate for him. When I asked and they refused a tutor saying they will not spend any more money teaching him. ( in grade school) And I asked if I was just supposed to allow him to fall through the cracks? They blatant said "yes, your son will fall through the cracks" He is a smart kid who is still on a 4th and 5th grade level - as a junior in high school. But he gets straight A's and B's. How can this be? And who actually benefits from the no child left behind. I can't possibly be the only person who has wondered about what happens to the "other" kids no one wants to talk about. That's A LOT of kids "left behind"

I'm sorry this is so lengthy, I just wanted to add, that I am not putting it entirely on the educators. However, in my school system I have noticed that just the children who have a hard time keeping up are slapped on an IEP and then the teachers wash their hands of them. Then it is pushed back onto the parent to fight every step of the way. Most times, the parents don't know what thier rights are so the children are left behind by thier own parents as well.

IEP= Individual Education Plan. Every student with a disability is eligable for one. Disability could be dislexia, developmental disability, specific learning disability, emotional disturbance, and some other things stuck in there. Unfortunately in our school district, all the kids on an IEP are stuck together. Which means that the kids w/ emotional disturbance who don't want to learn are stuck in with the kids who are slow learners. Kids that could get to where they are going- but have even more obsticles now. How much should the school provide - The full amount that they signed up for when they decided to become public. We all can't afford a tutor. Me being one who can't. So I do my best with my son on my own because the school won't. I'm getting alot of uneducated, unsympathetic answers. Exept for MIL- she is aware. However, what I have found is that the kids who provide the most fulfullment for the teachers are the ones who exell. The ones left behind are the ones who need the help

For lack of better wording Mentally retarded, and emotionally disturbed children benefit the most from an IEP. But the children who are slow learners, active learners (ones who can't sit still- ADHD and ADD) Kids who have been homeless and lost a few years etc... The IEP really disables them. This is a question I wish I would not have asked because with the exeption of 2 responses, I am in tears at the overall response. To think that all people have the same beliefs is very discouraging. I've not found out what the true reason for the "no child left behind" law was about - but I suspect it was inspired by these types of responses. Because what I see in the responses is "leave them behind and let them clean up our messes, let them struggle to provide for thier family's and keep the same cycle that we're trying to get out of- GOING!

To the last poster - since you don't allow e-mail and you asked me a specific question. Your questions are the problem. The federal govt. gives each public school money for every child on an IEP. So these kids should have the tutors they need. Or what ever they need. But you see where the system is corrupt is that they use the IEP kids to get more govt. funding and then they throw those kids away because now they can give the more passive learners what they want. Thus feeling that they have done their "teaching" job well. Personally, in my district, I can say I have met 2 good teachers in my son's life. The rest didn't care. I even had 1 try to set my son up for something that he didn't do, which was proven both in court and at a school administration meeting to be the teacher lieing to cover up the fact that she hadn't even looked at his IEP all year. Imagine my student at D's before the hearing and straight A's after the hearing. You shouldn't comment on things you don't know about.

*** Thank you all for such diverse answers to my question. I have allowed this issue to get to personal in this arena- and for that I apoligize.
I have truly become dissappointed in our school system. Unfortunately my tax money doesn't go everywhere I'd like it to go. In addition, I have 3 special needs children. My 17 year old son w/ADHD & learning disabilities, my 17 year old nephew w/ ADD,learning disabilities, and depression; and my 4 year old gifted daughter. And I suffer from ADHD, & severe depression as well. What a chaotic life I have been blessed with. Please forgive me if I seem at my end. I am not the type of person who accepts limits or no as an answer. I believe we live in a "CAN DO" world where our children CAN DO anything they want to. So that word "CAN'T " Or "I can't do it mommy" is not accepted in our home or lives. I know If I wait long enough someone on this board CAN give me the right answer:)

Answer 1

How do you hammer out issues such as these? In a public forum, where people have the opportunity to openly communicate and to learn from one another. Something is lacking in a digital forum, but at least some of us have something meaningful to share, and some of the answers that should have been left behind will be easily ignored and forgotten when all is said and done.

My biggest concern regarding the public, and in some cases, private, school systems is the tendency to hold all students to the same reference frame. I did not stay standard for a specific reason. I'm not sure if "reference frame" says it right or not, but "standard" definitely does not fit. Boys and girls having differing learning curves, and differing ages of maturation, and this means that the school system is bound to fail either one or the other at some point, when they are all put together in the same place, at the same age, and expected to learn the same things at the same pace. Add to this situation the shortage of teachers nationally, the other students who are either ahead of their gender's peer group, or behind that group, limitations placed on administrators who are doing their best to both deal with R, R, and R, and to help Joe, Bill, Mary, and Sue to see that firearms, drugs and exploring parenthood just don't fit in the school setting.

I know that your comment list is lengthy, so I will keep it short, but I didn't want to just pass by the opportunity to say that I care. The heart and soul and mind of the child will, in the long run be decided by those who care about him or her the most. Just try to make sure that in the eyes of your child, that this person is you.

Answer 2

I am a middle school teacher who has taught for 29 years. I understand your problem, but I worked with excellent Resource teachers who really cared . I have had resource (IEP) students in my classes because they are only segregated if they cannot handle the classroom by disrupting the educational system. They are to be with the rest of the students as much as possible.

I would look into an "alternative " school within the system. We have one, and when some kids just need to learn a different way, they go there. However, our material is presented many different ways in the classroom, so attending the alternative school is not necessary too often.

Have you thought of home schooling? I know it is very good for some students.

No Child Left Behind is President Bush's attempt to give every child a chance to live the American dream by leveling the playing field. If everyone could read, then at least everyone would have a good chance to succeed.

However, there are holes. There are some children who will NEVER read. They were born with what I call a brain mix-up. The wiring is just not connected correctly. It is sad, but realistic.

As every diagnostic test comes and goes, it is tweaked yearly. Eventually they all get to be the same type of test. That is when someone decides that we need a new test because the old one is just not right for whatever their goal is at the time. It's a vicious cycle.

As far as your son goes, is there any possibility of sending him to a private school? It sounds like the school system is not too commendable.

I guess I have five solutions.
1. Homeschooling
2. Different school system
3. Private School
4. Get a copy of the textbooks and work with your child daily, weekends, and summers.
5. Alternative school

It is a tough road. No one knew what they were signing up for when they became parents, but I believe that you were given all the tools that you need to do the best that you can for your child.

You were chosen to be the parent of a child with special needs. Work one-on-one as much and as often as possible. Sometimes just knowing that the material is important and interesting to you, along with spending lots of special time with your child means so much more than any tutor or resource teacher can provide.

I don't know if this helped at all. You are in between a rock and a hard place. Let me know if I can help at all.

Answer 3

OK, my answer is a question back to you. How much do you think the system SHOULD provide? Do you think that all children can be educated to the same level? How much time and energy does the school system have to expend? I'm not meaning to sound mean, these are serious questions! In our district, students with problems consume a huge portion of the total budget. Where does that leave the other kids? Is this fair to them?

I think the parents bear some responsibility for their kids. Not only being their advocates, but making sure they get tutors and special help. It should not ALL fall on the school system.

OK, maybe there are not a lot out there who like those answers, but these are questions that school boards face all the time. Somewhere, some time, something will have to give.

EDIT: Actually, I'm not totally ignorant of the system. I know the feds give money (but who's money? still taxpayer). I also know that the federal funds do NOT cover the entire cost of many special education students. I also know that those dollars HAVE to be spent on special ed kids. If they are not in your district, and you can prove that, then you have a huge case against your district. My questions were designed at large; they are not confined to you and your child. They affect each and every child in the school system.

Finally, how are questions a problem? Do they make you uncomfortable? I know our three area districts ALL do very well by our special ed & IEP kids. Your question was general, I answered generally. These are legitimate questions about a very tough topic.

Answer 4

I can understand your questions & concerns. You have a few options:
1) There are advocates who are free, through some county agencies, I think. I have seen some come to IEP's in the past.
2) You can file an appeal with the Office of Civil Rights, that your child's IEP has been violated, and pursue it that way. I think it's free to you.
3) You can contact your state's Dept. of Education, section on Special Education & file a complaint. It can't be anonymous, but in the emotional state you are in, I don't think you'll mind. That will get you concrete results.
4) You can ask for a Fair Hearing on anything violated in the IEP.
5) You can sue the district, but you have to pay for that. I'd recommend that as a last resort, only.

Anyway, even the community colleges have "Enabling Centers" or "Disability Centers" to help students who had IEP's in school. Your child can go to community college at age 18, even without a high school diploma, and get help that way. If your child qualifies for Regional Center services, ask for their help, too.

Answer 5

Well, they need to find some other occupation. Maybe they can go to vocational school or something like that. Let me get on my high horse for a bit here: Please don't put it all on educators that a student is left behind. Maybe the student didn't put forth a lot of effort, maybe the parent didn't push hard enough. And yes, maybe the teacher didn't care enough. But, as a parent of a special needs child with an IEP, I am his biggest advocate. There are teachers that care and will go out of heir way to help, and those that don't. I push the hardest to get my son what he needs. He will be going to high school this coming school year, and I am ever diligent. I am making sure that he chooses the classes that he needs to and making sure that he does his work. My son will not be left behind.

Answer 6

Many decades ago I worked on an Indian reservation and I think I know what you are talking about when you say falling through the cracks. Practically the whole school was falling through the cracks. There simply are not enough teachers for the intensive one on one these kids need. Every state brags about what they are doing for their schools, they give with one hand and take away with the other. You have every right to be angry, your child's future is at stake here. I'm sorry to say I know of no program for your child and I know the fight for him can be brutal.

There was one group (they were friends that had the same problem with the same school) that lasted about seven years and I have not heard nor seen of any others. It was a group of parents who took turns every night to teach each others kids. They all knew and loved these kids and it was hard on all of them, but they gave the kids a better education than the schools did. (The kids went to school in the day time and they were in the "slow" class, I don't mean this is a bad way). They received no funding, help, etc. and they did it on their own. The kids got through school with C's and a few B's and they all hold jobs now. As janitors, busboys, one works in and electrial parts assembly plant, one is a guard at a meat plant. One stocks a grocery store at night. They are not fantastic jobs, but they all do them well. All but one still live at home with their parents.

I don't know what to tell you. My heart aches for the hard work these kids put in and get no respect for.

Answer 7

I haven't a clue what an IEP is, but I hear you saying that you want the system to give your child special help. What happened to the parents' responsibilities? If your child needs extra tutoring, what can be more important than hiring a tutor. Rather than expending all this energy to get something for free, pay someone, either a college student or a professional teacher to work one-on-one with your child.

Answer 8

Good question! I have heard many stories from my future motherinlaw about this, and it's gotten to the point at her school where they give the option for tutoring and classes after school and on saturdays, but the parents either don't care, or, in worse cases, the teachers don't care, and don't even stay or show up to help the child. Granted, the parents in this school district are not well off monetary-wise, but still, you'd think that you would be able to find a way to get help. After all, tutoring after school doesn't cost a dime.

A co-worker of mine's son has missed some school for a mental handicap, and all the teachers say, and the guidance counsellors say, is that he needs to be on medication. He already is, and it's not helping, but until he gets the medication and mental help he needs, they're not going to stay or help him at all. This time it's "the parent's fault."

My future MIL says that she hurts a LOT of kids with this No Child Left Behind rule because the students in her class that struggle are holding the kids back that aren't struggling, and they don't have the resources to put them in Learning Disabilities classes, so they have to intermingle with the kids that are up to date, and possibly even advanced.

Answer 9

They have the choice between...

"Would you like paper or plastic?"

and

"Is this order for here or to go?"

Edit:
I would love to be able to play professional baseball. I love the game of baseball. Unfortunately, I do not have the skills that would allow me to play baseball for a living. Athletic talent is no different than intelligence. There is no shame in realizing you are a little slower than average. Personally, I have needed more garbage men and grocery store clerks than I have need brain surgeons.

I think having a learning disability is tough, but at what point are we going to stop trying to equalize the playing field. I do not ask major league baseball for an IEP that allows me to get 10 strike instead of 3...or the pitcher has to throw to me underhanded. I just live with the fact that I am not good enough to play baseball for a living. Guess what? I am totally fine with that.

Answer 10

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