What do I say to my son's teacher?

Question

My son is failing math and has been referred to an after school program, plus Saturday school because they aren't having summer school this year. They pretty much have told me that if he doesn't go to both he will be held back. I've been trying for weeks to talk to the person in charge of this program so I can get him into it, and nobody at the school even knows who the contact person is because they claim that it's an outside company that comes in to tutor the kids and they don't have anything to do with the school. So I finally get a hold of this guy today and I asked him if my son could start coming because if he doesn't he'll be held back. The guy wants to talk to me in person first, for some reason. Even though I told him I had to work tomorrow he said that I have to come in to talk to him about it first. So I had to rearrange my work schedule, but I don't understand why he's making me come in in person. What do I say to this guy? What does he want to know?

Answer 1

Yet ANOTHER school violating federal laws!!!

They are giving you this runaround with the afterschool help and Saturday help because they don't want you to  know the TRUTH which is that the school does not legally have to help a child's problems UNLESS the child is in special ed.

They are not telling you this because schools don't want to help thru this. They are hoping that you will run with this afterschool stuff and not find out about special ed.

Even if you DO have your child in this afterschool program, it is NOT scientifically research based program provided by a trained and qualified teacher specifically for your childs problems.

AND, since this afterschool program is not protected by any laws  they can stop it at any time, or not do it at all and you can't do a thing about it.

What I would do is decline this meeting with this person and then write a letter to the district special ed director requesting 'an initial full educational evaluation testing in all areas of suspected disabilities to determine if my child can qualify for special education servcies as specified by IDEA law'.

You HAVE to use these exact words to consider it to be a legal request.

The school will HAVE to do this evaluation to see if your child qualifies for special ed within 60 days of your written consent, so in that letter date it and state you are giving your written consent in the letter.

If you need help email me   [e-mail]

Answer 2

Meet with him with a very positive and constructive frame of mind  - that both you and your son are determined to turn this situation around and you were told that they could really help your son learn the subjects.   If you get resisitance - get the superintendent involved.

Answer 3

Tell him your son's grades and create a schedule of when you can come meet the guy responsible.

Answer 4

are you in the USA? if so, ask for a meeting with the superintendent. demand someone helps you out with this situation. they can not deny your child an education. just listen first , then you will know what to say. tell him you want tutoring for your child and take a copy of the no child left behind law. good luck.

Answer 5

he probably want s to know about your son, get details, phone numbers and mONEY!

Answer 6

Sending a child to tutoring is only half the solution, you also have to work with the child at home as well in a team effort.  This man is probably wanting to talk to you to make sure you are going to be able to hold up your half of the deal and to also addres with you in private exactly what your sons strengths and weaknesses are before he enters the program.  Some children go into a room and they are fine with the people and do well some are more withdrawn and it takes coaxing to get them out of their shell, this man will need to know more about your son if he is going to be able to help him.  When you go in just simply introduce yourself and ask what you need to do to help your son learn and he will explain and ask the rest.  Just be honest as you can with him in your answers.

Answer 7

Just say your concerned and that you were told that he would fail if you didnt get him into it. If he gets grouchy remind him you had to move your work day to see this guy and that youd appriciate some help.

Answer 8

He probably wants to meet with you because you are the parent and he is going to be working with your child who is struggling.  When one of my students isn't doing well, I conference with the parents...this allows you to come up with a plan for both home and school.

***Special education is not simply help for students who are not doing well.  It is for students with disabilities.  At that, it is for students who have disabilities that impact their education...simply having a disability does not warrant a special education placement if the student is not impacted educationally.  Failing in math does not indicate a disability.  I really don't see what the big deal is in this situation.  The teacher wants to meet with a parent...not a big deal.  I understand getting off work can be a pain, but that is part of having a child.  The fact that this is not a program run by the school indicates that the tutor will be getting the information about your child from you.  The suggestion below is a bit extreme and probably not what your child needs, it sounds like it is coming from a person too bitter from their own experiences to give decent advice!  General education teachers do not, generally, hold back on their special education referrals...good teachers because they are concerned about what is best for the student...not so good ones because they won't have to deal with the student as much.