Special Ed Teachers- IEP question

Hi Ladies-

I'm a relatively new Special Ed. teacher and this year, I'm working as a private contractor. In the school I'm at I'm the only Spec. Ed teacher so its hard when I have questions related to my field.

Anyway, I'm hoping one of you ladies can help me out. I have a 12th grader who is in Resource Room 5 days a week. He wants to "drop" Resource Room from his schedule (obviously this can only be done at a CSE meeting, which I told him), but wants to keep all his accomodations and modifications. Can a student be taking all general ed. classes with no resource room or consultant teachers, and keep all his modifications? What approach do you think I should take on this situation?

It's only my first month there- I've worked with this student a total of 5 times (we only had school 7 days this month due to the holidays and he was out two).

Thanks!

Re: Special Ed Teachers- IEP question

You are right that it has to be done at CSE. This is called declassification. There is a new law that children being declassified have to be retested to see where they are.
I would not rush to try to get this kid declassified. School just started, get to know him, try to do some research about previous testing, talk to his parents and teachers and go from there.
A student can be declassified with modifications for a set period of time. If he's a 12th grader he could probably get his mods for the rest of the year if he was declassified.

Re: Special Ed Teachers- IEP question

To answer your questions, yes changes need to be made at a CSE meeting. In my district, often times seniors have resource room on alternating days because their workload may be less. I would be hesitant on de-classifying or dropping the resource room because there may be some tough requirements in senior year. For example, all seniors in my school have to write a research paper in order to pass English and graduate. This is something that often times students struggle with. I would try to convince him to wait it out a bit (at least through the first quarter) and see. I would also speak to the special education teacher that worked with him last year to get some info on his program and the suggestions that were made for this year. Good luck!

Re: Special Ed Teachers- IEP question

I love that he is being an advocate for himself!!! That is awesome. Everyone already gave great advice, but, remind him that at the end of the year, you have to create an exit summary which will help him receive mods in college.

Re: Special Ed Teachers- IEP question

Since he is currently getting it 5 days a week, I would say instead of dropping it completely, he should keep it 3 days a week at first and see how that goes for him.

It's great that he wants to make this decision for himself, but resource room isn't a BAD thing, especially if he needs it. I would say dropping it completely at this point would be bad idea. If his teachers agree.. going to 3 days a week sounds like a good compromise.

Also, I'd make sure this is not a decision based on a falling out with a teacher.. Asked him WHY he feels he should not be there and make sure he has the right reasons in mind.

That's my feeling at least..

As far as keeping all his accommodations/etc. I am not the MOST experiences special ed teacher on this site by any means- but I know he can still be in a regular class and have an IEP.... Or, can't he keep his accommodations under section 504?