ESL and Special Ed. Issue. A Family Struggling?

Question

I met a family who moved to this country a year back. There oldest daughter just turned 6. She speaks her native language really good but she is struggling to speak english. But she sure is trying hard to catch english. Now the school is recommending the parents to make her join Special Ed. They are testing her etc. She is just great in her native language. She's undergoing tutoring... other after school program. The father does'nt want his daughter to join Sp. Ed . He feels that that is not fair and that her daughter should be given some time.

What would you suggest on this issue? I was thinking what if make the child join a lower grade...or should the father accept the Special Ed. option. Does it stay on her record?If he does'nt allow or acccept it ...what can the school do about it? Please advice.... thinking its about your own healthy child who is going thru this situation. School staff is after this family.what other options does he have?

Answer 1

Special Ed is not that bad in fact vocational rehabilitation when in Special Ed  helps pay for collage if the child stays in it and she can be tested out of it when she feels ready for it.

Answer 2

By law the school can NOT make the child have special ed without the parents agreement. All the parents have to do is write a letter to the district sped director stating everything that has been done and said and state simply they do not agree.

Also state in the letter that you are requesting 'prior written notice' of the reason they want to do this.

This is a VERY important legal right the parent has.

The school is suppose to have LEGAL reasons for wanting the child in special ed and since they are going about it ILLEGALLY, they do NOT have a legal reason for having her in special ed.

When the parent sends this letter, this should stop everything because the school will NOT give a 'prior written notice' with illegal reasons noted.

The parent HAS to disagree IN WRITING. If he does it 'verbally', the school will deny he said anything.

Send a copy of this letter to principal and superintendent. Keep a copy for themselves.

After this, if the school still does the special ed, the parents can take action against this by filing formal complaint with their state dept. of education.

Answer 3

The child could attend one year of kindrgarten or before moving to first grade, a year among Eglish speaking kids would give her time to pick up the language.

Answer 4

First of all, I would allow the testing. It will be done in Spanish, so you will find out many things about her learning, including whether or not she has any learning disabilities. Just because you allow testing does not mean you have to allow her to be placed in special ed. Consult with the school and make sure the testing will be done in Spanish!

Here is how it goes:

* Your child is referred for testing. Teachers at the school are worried about her learning and want to make sure there are no learning disabilities.

* After the testing is done, the school will invite you to a meeting and share the results of the testing. Your child may or may not be eligible for Special Education services. They will not be offered if your child is doing well academically and has no learning disabilities.

* The school may recommend services based on her having a learning disability. You can decide to allow them or you can decide against it.

If your child is truly learning disabled, then it would be wise to accept these services. It means she will get more help and more assistance. She will also receive some help during standardized testing.

And no, it will not be on her record if she makes progress and is able to succeed without help. You can exit her from special education AT ANY TIME. You are the drivers but I would listen carefully to the professionals. They actually have her best interests in mind.

Answer 5

i grew up in a bilingual family and a lot of it is ignorance. most nations do not have spec ed like ours. show them that in the long run how good the therpay is in spec ed with an emphasis on education not just warehousing. let them go see what can happen.

lead by some good examples. try getting a good translator as well. that can goa long way!