Back to school and EC children

Question

We are quickly approaching back to school and time to adjust to new teachers. This summer my child with an LD was tutored (not through the school). He is learning new strategies to deal with his LD. I would like to make sure that his teacher is WELL informed of these strategies, his needs and learning style from day one.

What is the appropriate way to address this with the teacher? I was thinking or writing an introduction letter but I don't' want to start the year off as being a needy parent but ..... I will need her to work with the program before I have a chance to revise his IEP.

Answer 1

Most of these answers, particularly James G.'s, reflect on the fragile but massive egos most teachers sport, and the responses are thick with ways to tiptoe around the same.

Good luck - in my experience, teachers (many special education teachers, more particularly) like to run the show and are not truly open to input from parents unless it's something simple that makes their job that much easier.  In other words, they prefer that you smile, listen to them if/when they need to tell you something, and otherwise stay "hands-off" because they don't want their workload increased or worse, don't want to be told about something they didn't think of.  Hopefully your situation won't be so dismal.

I second the recommendation for the Wrightslaw books - an excellent resource!

Answer 2

I would set up a meeting with the new teacher as a kind of get to know each other meeting.  You can go in and discuss certain things about your child with their teacher.  You can bring up new strategies that your child learned about during the summer, and that you would like to see some of these strategies continued.  I don't think that a special education teacher would have a problem with that.  I am finishing my education degree at the moment, and I always like a good dialog between that parents and me.  This shows me that the parents care, and if they are willing to put in the extra effort for their child, then so am I.

From reading some of the comments below, it is a good idea to be an advocate for your child, but it another thing to go into these situations thinking the worst.  You do not want to start out "super" forceful, you need to be more of the friendly advocate for your child.

My wife tells of stories, she is an EBD and and LD teacher, about different parents.  She applauds the parents that come in and let her know of strategies that work for their children.  She is always looking for what works best with specific students.  But the problems that she runs into is when parents come in and act like she knows nothing.  Once they come in and DEMAND things, they may not be the best for the student, but it is what the parents want.  Once you get the teacher on the defensive, it is usually not a good thing.  Most teachers are open to suggestion, but they did attend a four year program, most have masters degrees, in their field of expertese.  Soemtimes there are certain ideas that just don't do well with the techers delivery either.  It is a balance that is hard to keep in check.  A teacher will use what they are familiar with, and will listen to suggestions on how to help students.  But remember that you would not like someone coming in and dictating to you how to do your own job.  You need to work together for the beneft of the student.

VICT D after reading your response to the question, I begin to wonder where you get your negativity from?  Most teachers try very hard at their job, and they want the students to succeed.  To see a child work hard and succeed is a great joy!  If you have had negative interactions with teachers, you either did have a mean spirited teacher, or you went in with the attitude that you showed below.   Either way, it would not lead to a good outcome.  Positive thinking and interactions usually work best!

Answer 3

I would suggest a face to face meeting rather than a letter. First an informal introduction- Bring cookies on one of the first work days- etc. Send the message that you are an involved advocating parent, without sending the perspective that you're overpowering or see yourself separate from the IEP team. I'd let the teacher know what you shared above: Your child has had some success over the summer with tutoring, and you would like to talk with the IEP team about his situation as early as possible. From there, leave it in the teacher's court to schedule the meeting- A good IEP team meeting will allow plenty of time for brainstorming and sharing.

don't assume that the teacher is not aware of these, and other, strategies. Communication will help get you both on the same page in supporting this student.

Answer 4

I work in a special ed class, and I'm the parent of a child in special education.  This is something I've done before.

Go in before school starts.  Ask if she/he has time to talk to you about your son.  If it's a general ed teacher, and she wasn't at the IEP meeting, she's probably not up to speed on your son, and is busy getting ready for the school year.   Bring your letter of introduction to your son, share in that letter what works, what doesn't and what you've learned over the summer.  Leave this with her after you've had a chance to talk, and let her know what it's about.   A lot of my kids teachers actually ask the whole class to have their parent write just such a letter at the beginning of the school year, so they can get a feel for their students from the parents perspective.

When you talk to her, explain how well these strategies have been working for your son. Ask if she's ever heard/used them and what does she think of them?  Tell her that you want to revise his IEP to reflect these strategies and ask her if there is anything she will need to accommodate them...resources, books, etc.. Tell her that you'll be happy to advocate for any resources that she'll need to implement the strategies, you'll bring them in yourself, whatever.  If she needs materials to learn more, get them for her.  Get her on your side and befriend her.  This goes a long way in showing her that you understand how difficult her job is, and want to help in any way you can.  Going in and saying "I want you to do xyz from day one" will not get it done and will turn her off to you and your son.

Since you want to revise your son's IEP to reflect the new strategies, I would send a letter to the director of special education, or whoever is in charge of scheduling IEP meetings in your area, and mail it off, return receipt, requesting an IEP meeting as soon as possible.  They should be able to have the meeting before school starts, but if not, within the first week.  If all goes as planned with the teacher, it will be more of a formality than anything.

When we had my daughters IEP transitioning to a new school, they wanted to wait a couple of weeks before putting her into a math class for mainstream.  I explained that the placement had to be in place from day one, all the changes at once.  Also I wanted her to be with her mainstream peers from day one so there would be no "who's that kid coming in" she was always part of the class.  I pushed and sold my reasoning to the rest of the team, got my way, and at the next meeting was told what a wise decision it was and appropriate choice it was for my daughter.  

And since you have a child with an IEP, I highly recommend signing up for Wrightslaw's newsletter.  Go to http://www.wrightslaw.com   Excellent website for parents of children in special education!  

Answer 5

Coming from someone who has worked in the schools...

Either write a letter or make an appointment to discuss this.  It is not acting like a needy parent to inform those working with your son what strategies are helping him.  It is vital, and all but the most jaded teachers will appreciate it.  You might even be able to make an appointment before school starts.

Keep in mind, though, that if it is not on his IEP, they are not obligated to take these measures.  You may want to ask to have his IEP revised before its annual date so that everyone is informed and can discuss it as a group.  If possible, have the person who tutored him this summer attend.

Good luck to the both of you!