Post by TriciaF on Mar 12, 2006 15:45:04 GMT -5
Tracey,
I'm in SC and my Patrick 4/21/2000 was facing the same problem entering public school system for the first time last year. School wanted me to look at the Transition Kindergarten classes (special ed kindy). I asked for an all day 4 year old class in our home school to be considered. It takes 16 children, 8 typical, 8 at-risk/apecial needs each year. I was shut down immediately by the pre-school spec. ed director, who told me that "that class is not a consideration...because he is 5".
Long story short....I went over her head to the district special ed coordinator.....expressed my reasons for wanting the class considered. I got the same...we don't like to place off age....but the explanations for why not revolved more around....."if we allow it, it will set a precident, other parents will want to do it, this will open up a whole can of worms" I kid you not...this was the conversation. So, as I had read nothing in the IDEA laws to address this and all the unomasers told me I could stick to my guns...I did. The director called and consulted with the state department of education...and after a long 4 month wait to hear....he started the classes two weeks after school started.
I don't really understand the problem, esp as it is supposed to be what benefits the child. Patrick was in no way ready to be successful in inclusive kindy, esp. with no aide (they don't like to agree to those here either). But he was absolutely fine to be in an inclusive pre-K setting and that, to me, was the least restrictive environment. I thought it was a no-brainer....but
I am about to face the whole issue again, looking at next year's placement. I believe Patrick could benefit from one more year before the reg kindy and may look at that transitional special ed kindy this year....they may balk at that due to age.
Check with you state dept of ed, special ed department. You might also check with your state's version of Pro-parents.
Couple of websites that look interesting:
www.fndfl.org/new/
www.taalliance.org/index.htm
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index.html
www.nasdse.org/index.cfm
I'm in SC and my Patrick 4/21/2000 was facing the same problem entering public school system for the first time last year. School wanted me to look at the Transition Kindergarten classes (special ed kindy). I asked for an all day 4 year old class in our home school to be considered. It takes 16 children, 8 typical, 8 at-risk/apecial needs each year. I was shut down immediately by the pre-school spec. ed director, who told me that "that class is not a consideration...because he is 5".
Long story short....I went over her head to the district special ed coordinator.....expressed my reasons for wanting the class considered. I got the same...we don't like to place off age....but the explanations for why not revolved more around....."if we allow it, it will set a precident, other parents will want to do it, this will open up a whole can of worms" I kid you not...this was the conversation. So, as I had read nothing in the IDEA laws to address this and all the unomasers told me I could stick to my guns...I did. The director called and consulted with the state department of education...and after a long 4 month wait to hear....he started the classes two weeks after school started.
I don't really understand the problem, esp as it is supposed to be what benefits the child. Patrick was in no way ready to be successful in inclusive kindy, esp. with no aide (they don't like to agree to those here either). But he was absolutely fine to be in an inclusive pre-K setting and that, to me, was the least restrictive environment. I thought it was a no-brainer....but
I am about to face the whole issue again, looking at next year's placement. I believe Patrick could benefit from one more year before the reg kindy and may look at that transitional special ed kindy this year....they may balk at that due to age.
Check with you state dept of ed, special ed department. You might also check with your state's version of Pro-parents.
Couple of websites that look interesting:
www.fndfl.org/new/
www.taalliance.org/index.htm
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index.html
www.nasdse.org/index.cfm