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Seeking Special Education for Your Child
Q: My seventh-grader is in a school where the special education inclusion teacher is not much help. I need to have some real suggestions on how my daughter's class work and homework can be modified. She is classified with speech/language disorder and LD, on a third-grade level.
A: I will give you a few suggestions for how your daughter's work may be modified, but by law your school must accommodate your daughter. Insist that others besides this teacher get involved in her educational plan. Go to the special education director for the district if you are not satisfied. Don't sign off on her plan until you are satisfied. Possible modifications could include:
- Have a regular student read to her so many times a week.
- Go to resource room to have tests and/or home work read to her and to get assistance.
- Have shorter assignments.
- Get more time on tests and assignments.
- Participate in speech therapy.
- Participate in a study skills class from the resource room.
- Take fewer mainstream courses and more electives in which she feels competent.
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Connie Collins, professional school counselor, worked for 35 years in public education as a teacher and counselor at the middle school and secondary levels. Collins worked daily with the parents of the students in her various schools, and has facilitated several parenting groups.
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