Barbara C. Wilson vs. BCCS

We had a screening at BCW today and I almost fell off my chair when they said they have an opening for DS.

Here is my dilemma. DS does not have any diagnosis. He is speech and language delayed, needs help with fine motor and self help and has some mild sensory issues. His pragmatic speech is where he needs the most help.

I have already accepted placement for summer and fall at BCCS (old AHRC) and feel very comfortable there. DS would be in a 12:1:2 integrated program (6 typical kids, 6 kids like DS with delays). BUT we are in Merrick, they are in Brookville. 25 min from my house to their door with no bus or additional stops. School is very nice and clean. Teacher and classroom seem wonderful. I have only heard good things about their program and my district happens to LOVE their program.

Today we went to BCW. They offered DS a spot in their 12:1:2 contained class becaus of his recent behavioral issues at his typical pschool which have since subsided completely since I took him out of school. The behaviors were only in school, obviously because it wasn't the right setting for him. The contained class they screened him in today, I honestly would never have known all the kids had some type of delay/disability. VERY high functioning. The school is located in Woodbury and takes me about 15 min from my door to theirs, so slightly closer.

At the BCCS tour I dont know that I got as much info on the curriculum and daily routine, they kept me out of the room while screening DS. I was told it is a typical 4 yr pre-k curriculum. At BCW they kept me in the class while screening him and gave me a rundown of the day. Slightly modified pre-k curriculum.

My fear in putting him in a self contained is that he won't progress as much because he won't be around ALL good language and behavioral models. But they told me they group kids by cognitive levels and some kids may have great language but another issue.

In the self contained they do more smaller group work while in integrated they do more large group work.

I am going to call BCW tomorrow and talk to them again about the possibility of an integrated class at their school. Their hesitation is his recent behaviors and social language. They feel the contained offers more support. Not sure why BCCS felt he would do better in integrated then.

BCW also told me that they do a small review after 6 weeks and if they feel a child in integrated doesn't belong they will move him to contained and if they feel a child in contained belongs in integrated they will move him. But I wouldn't bet too much on that

I guess any advice? Or WWYD? Anything else should be thinking about in my decision?

Re: Barbara C. Wilson vs. BCCS

Just wanted to add, I think he will do great in either program. He will be in a smaller class setting with more teacher support with teachers actually equipped and trained to work with him and focus on his IEP goals constantly.

My hold up is would he progress more in a less restrictive integrated program or a more restrictive contained program? I am confused as to where the differences in the programs itself lies because the class size and teacher rations are the same.

I feel he belongs in an integrated but BCW is a little closer to us although that 10 min by car may not make much of a difference for the bus

Re: Barbara C. Wilson vs. BCCS

You know I am completely biased on that one. But trying to be "objective" I still don't trust BCW because they mislead us.

They also don't have an open door policy.

They don't have the class you want to be in. Unless you have something in writting that they WILL transfer him into an integrated class, he is NOT into an integrated class. With my experience with them, how they mislead me, again I have no trust with them.

Re: Barbara C. Wilson vs. BCCS

Re: Barbara C. Wilson vs. BCCS

Re: Barbara C. Wilson vs. BCCS

I find it odd that BCCS didn't have DS in the actual class he was screening for, I thought that was the whole point of the screening. We went there for a screening and DS was in the class with the teacher he would have had, and in the exact class he would have been placed.

I also think that it is possible that they could move him from one class to another once he is enrolled at any school. Just because they are telling incoming parents that there aren't spots doesn't necessarily mean they don't have some flexibility once a student is enrolled. For example, at my DS's school, I know of a child who spends part of the day in another classroom because she has advanced enough to be exposed to a larger class size, which is what she will be in next school year. As a parent who doesn't have a child enrolled there, you aren't going to be privy to everything that goes on at the school.

I know you are concerned about the distances, but honestly, this would not be a deciding factor for me. I would look really hard at the programs themselves and try to figure out which would be a better fit for him. IMO, if I felt my DS was ready for an intergrated setting, that is the one I would lean toward placing him in.

Re: Barbara C. Wilson vs. BCCS

Posted by dpli

I find it odd that BCCS didn't have DS in the actual class he was screening for, I thought that was the whole point of the screening. We went there for a screening and DS was in the class with the teacher he would have had, and in the exact class he would have been placed.

I also think that it is possible that they could move him from one class to another once he is enrolled at any school. Just because they are telling incoming parents that there aren't spots doesn't necessarily mean they don't have some flexibility once a student is enrolled. For example, at my DS's school, I know of a child who spends part of the day in another classroom because she has advanced enough to be exposed to a larger class size, which is what she will be in next school year. As a parent who doesn't have a child enrolled there, you aren't going to be privy to everything that goes on at the school.

I know you are concerned about the distances, but honestly, this would not be a deciding factor for me. I would look really hard at the programs themselves and try to figure out which would be a better fit for him. IMO, if I felt my DS was ready for an intergrated setting, that is the one I would lean toward placing him in.

Re: Barbara C. Wilson vs. BCCS

I was talking with our SEIT today, and telling her that I plan to drive my son to kindergarten. (I'm worried about the long bus ride too.) She told me to send him on the bus. She said that the kids love it, it helps with independence, self-esteem, they feel like big kids, etc...

My son would have been on the bus at least 30 minutes as well. So, I'm considering it. Just thought I would share that with you.

Re: Barbara C. Wilson vs. BCCS

Re: Barbara C. Wilson vs. BCCS

I think inclusion is always the best option. The strides kids can make being around positive role models is amazing. Not to say kids don't thrive in self contained, but I would only go that route if your child was truly struggling.

Re: Barbara C. Wilson vs. BCCS

Re: Barbara C. Wilson vs. BCCS

Posted by dpli

I find it odd that BCCS didn't have DS in the actual class he was screening for, I thought that was the whole point of the screening. We went there for a screening and DS was in the class with the teacher he would have had, and in the exact class he would have been placed.

Re: Barbara C. Wilson vs. BCCS

Wow...your DS sounds like mine! My son has speech delay and behavior issues. I visited a lot of schools but I love BCW. It was my first choice last February when we attended DS our transition from EI to CPSE meeting. Everytime I called the school they said there was a wait list. But when we went for the 'evaluation', DS was accepted on the spot. Of course like you they said he'd be better off in a self contained 12:1:2. I didn't know any different and was so elated at having a spot I accepted right away.

DS has been in the 12:1:2 class since Sept 2010 and I absolutely love them. Instead of monthly group meetings, I meet with the school psychologist monthly since my sons issues are mainly behavioral. But, fpr the summer I was told that DS would be moving on to an integrated class (if there was room)..or definitely by Sept.

I really wouldn't worry about integrated vs. self contained. I worried about DS regressing but in actuality his speech has improved. They also worked out a behavior plan which we both follow at home and school.

Good Luck with your decision!