Special Ed teachers...

Thanks all

Message edited 11/15/2018 6:08:46 PM.

Re: Special Ed teachers...

I’m a special education teacher and my report card grades are based off the standards taught during the specific marking period. I’ve never held extra time against a student. I have students who can do computation easily, but have trouble explaining their thinking, or showing their understanding more than one way. My grades are composed of class work and participation. Maybe one of those areas is also lacking? If that’s not the case, I don’t understand why his grade would be lower than a 3.

Edited to add that I just looked at your photos. I’m not sure how she came up with those grades. Understanding mathematical content and showing your understanding multiple ways go hand in hand. I can’t thinj of a way you’d get a 3 in multiple ways and 2 in understanding.

Message edited 11/13/2018 8:04:05 PM.

Special Ed teachers...

Could his grade be based off in class observations?

That being said, if he consistently scores high, his accommodations can be removed, because the grades don’t support a need for them.

Re: Special Ed teachers...

Thanks so much for your response. Yes his class work participation is lacking because of distractibility. He is being evaluated for add/Inattention disorder tomorrow actually, at my initiation. He is a former preemie whose identical twin suffered profound oxygen loss at birth and has cerebral palsy and is almost non verbal. More than likely, he suffered oxygen loss too to a mich lower degree. This was explained to the teachers. It honestly just seems mean. He and I studied together so hard for many days in advance to get those grades and he was so proud of himself. But to them get a 2 on his report card, what’s the point? What would she have given him if he got a 70- a negative 5?

I am thinking of going to the principal. I feel like his rights have been violated. I’m sure he will tow the party line but I feel like I have to fight for him.

Re: Special Ed teachers...

Re: Special Ed teachers...

Re: Special Ed teachers...

Thanks but that’s just the point - he didn’t get high grades. He has a 99 average and she gave him a 2/4 and wrote that he is “far below standards.” After writing something totally differently in his IEP report.

Re: Special Ed teachers...

I don’t have a child in special ed, but I will give my opinion in that I do think some teachers start kids off with a 2 or 3 on first report card to show “growth” when they end with a 4 by the last report card.

Special Ed teachers...

That wouldn't fly with me. You already asked her about it, so now I would go to the Principal.

Re: Special Ed teachers...

Special Ed teachers...

I have never heard of a student getting a lower grade because of an IEP.

Also just because he is scoring well does not indicate he should have services removed. Services allow for a level playing field. He might need additional time to do well. I’ve had kids with a 99 average have IEPs with additional time, flexible settting, an aide, etc.

Re: Special Ed teachers...

Re: Special Ed teachers...

Re: Special Ed teachers...

Re: Special Ed teachers...

I am a special education teacher. You cannot hold extra time against a kid with an IEP. He is given those accommodations to help him reach that grade’s expectations. If he is given the same test as other students on his grade and it is measuring the same standards then he should be getting a 4. NOT a 2. I would be very upset and would go to the principal. Even with class participation the grade would not drop down to a 2. In addition, if I had a child with a disability that impacted his ability to participate in a large group I would not hold that against them. I would be parallel teaching and giving him or her opportunities to participate. Something seems off.

Re: Special Ed teachers...

Sorry, I’m not a special ed teacher, but my DS has an IEP and he has had 2 teachers in his 5 school years hold it against him. Ask questions, document everything. My advice is to never speak to a teacher on the phone, get it all in email so that it’s documented and no misunderstandings.

Re: Special Ed teachers...

I don’t know what district you are in but I went through this last year with my dd also in an ICT class and I know several classmates had the exact same issue. My dd scored a 100 on every social studies test and science test last year but only received 2 or 3. I was so angry. I did go to the principal with it because if my child is getting a 100 on every exam I’m sorry she earned a 100. The last marking period they did give her a 4 in both subjects. I never got a real explanation but my guess is and what I told them is that they didn’t give her what she earned to be able to justify the services. They never really denied it.

Re: Special Ed teachers...

No this does not seem right at all. Even with lower class participation, he is obviously understanding the material if he’s getting those grades. In my son’s school, there is a teacher who is the IEP coordinator (I think that’s the name). I haven’t had to go to her, but basicallt if there are any IEP questions/issues after going to the teacher, we go to her. I find the principals don’t have as much knowledge in this area.

Special Ed teachers...

I have a son in a self contained class. He is in 2nd grade. Honestly, I don't even look at his report card. I go by class feedback and IEP successes/failures. I see his work and I know where he is academically. The report card system is so different from the actual work that they do. I also tend to think that they start grading off low to show progress through the year. His teacher has him down that he is below grade level for math and reading. Meanwhile, he can tell time, do multiplication and division and can read script writing. I would not put much into the report card. Just base your childs progress on his actual work and success in the classroom. It's only first grade.

Re: Special Ed teachers...

Report cards are a part of your child’s educational record and CAN be used as part of the decision making process in placement decisions. I am a school psychologist. I urge you to take the markings seriously.

Re: Special Ed teachers...

Re: Special Ed teachers...

Actually what I would do is contact the director of Special Education and explain the situation. Tell them your child is being penalized for having an IEP basically.

Also, once they start middle school, regardless of IEP or not (my son is 19 and was in special education since age 3), the grades they earn on their work and tests ARE the report card grades. Some will bump it up to "passing" if the child is cooperative and participates, even if their tests are failing. But, they don't give kids who earn 90's and 100's 60's and 70's on their report card because they have an IEP. That would be assinine and not make sense. Just like this scenario doesn't make sense...at all.

Special Ed teachers...

Just as a side note, the IEP states that the GOMath assesment is 99% which is a level 4. But that is within the gomath system, not the report card system. That may factor into things as well. His assesments in gomath are averaged into his grades but do not make up the entire grade. KWIM.

Re: Special Ed teachers...

I teach in an ICT class in NYC. My students with IEPS are not graded based on the standards per se. They are graded on THEIR personal goals based on their IEP. So just because a student may score a 100% on a test, he/she may not have mastered their own personal goal for the marking period, warranting a lower grade.

You need to sit down with the general ed teacher as well as the special ed teacher and go over the report card. Ask them to explain to you where the grades came from .

Re: Special Ed teachers...