|
|
Post by cmk on Mar 31, 2006 23:08:02 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
I am a new member. I have a 4 1/2 year old daughter. We moved to Oregon from Minnesota last summer and have really been dissapointed by the services provided for my daughter here. I have a meeting scheduled with her educators and have requested some admin people to be there too. Right now all she gets is 2 hrs/day 2 days/week of developmental playgroup through the public school system here in Oregon. Where we came from in Minnesota, her same age group is getting 2 1/2 hrs/ day 5 days a week. I would really appreciate your input on what public services for 4 year olds look like in other States, for comparisons sake. Thank you. Cristina
|
|
|
|
Post by tworiveras on Mar 31, 2006 23:26:28 GMT -5
If I remember correctly, when I lived in Longmont Colorado, we had 4 or 5 days of preschool a week for about 2 1/2 hours a day. Here in Mesa, Arizona, they had 5 days a week for about 2 1/2 hours a day. Good luck. I hope you can find more appropriate services for her in Oregon.
Karen
|
|
|
|
Post by CC on Mar 31, 2006 23:47:13 GMT -5
Chris is 13 but for us when he was that age he had preschool in the public school for 2 and 1/2 hours 5 days a week and then we changed it over to both AM and PM sessions, so it then was 5 hours, 5 days a week, worked wonderful for him  BEST of Luck to you and i would agree what they are offering is lacking for sure  CC from New Jersey ~ |
|
|
|
Post by Pat on Apr 1, 2006 7:24:46 GMT -5
Cristina, Welcome If I were you I would look up the local ARC in the area or go on the school district's web site, find special ed area, & contact them. That way you could find a parent in the area & ask them what they got when their kid was the same age as yours, to see what their kids got for services. Pat |
|
|
|
Post by meghans_mom on Apr 1, 2006 10:10:02 GMT -5
here on long island (NY) we have several choices at Meghan's school (a specialized preschool for kids w/ DS). When she turned 3 she went into state ed - and these were the choices: full days preschool (5 hours) 5 days a week in an integrated setting. Here she could only recieve a MAX of 4 services in class, 1/2 hour each. This is the setting we chose. THere were 2 teachers, a regular ed & special ed teacher and 3 aides. About 15-18 kids. She could also be in a full day, 5 day/week program NON-integrated, with more services per week - not sure of the # but I think 5-7, or more if the child needed it. THis setting has a special ed teacher and a greater aide per child ratio than the above setting. Class size is smaller too. I think 12-5-1 or something like that. Some of the kids in this setting will also have a 1:1 aide. The other choice was half day program (9-11:30) non-integrated, 5 days per week. Some of these children attend a typical AM or PM preschool setting a few days per week as well as attending the opposite AM/PM program for special needs. Not sure of the teacher/aide/student ratio here. Meghan's school makes you go 5 days a week once you are in the state ed side...I guess for continuity, whatever program you chose. Her school has about 300 students, 98% with DS. She stayed in the same class setting for her 2nd year in preschool as well. If you want to read more about their programs the website is www.acds.orgbest of luck - laurie |
|
|
|
Post by kellyds on Apr 1, 2006 14:02:31 GMT -5
I live in Oregon. We home school all of our children. I can't offer you much except sympathy. Our educational system needs a complete overhaul. You may find that some of the educators you are meeting with aren't even certified teachers, especially for special needs students. They use teacher's aids, which often translates into "babysitter".
|
|
|
|
Post by Chris on Apr 1, 2006 20:36:22 GMT -5
We have the option of sending Sarah to school for 1/2 day am or pm or full day. We sort of send her for 3/4 of the day. We are hoping to send her for the full day next year. We are just waiting to see if she still needs a nap.
Chris
|
|
|
|
Post by cmk on Apr 2, 2006 11:40:20 GMT -5
Thank You so much to everyone who responded. This information will be a big help. My meeting is scheduled for tuesday April 4 at 11:30 AM. Please pray that I will be clear and that I will be heard and changes will be made to help Emma as well as other children in need of special education. I will let you all know the outcome. Again thank you so much. Knowing I am not alone is so comforting.
Love Cristina
|
|
|
|
Post by ALLISA on Apr 2, 2006 12:12:39 GMT -5
Hi there.....if it's one thing I have learned.....all states and towns run their schooling different....and that is a HUGE understatemetnt !!
We live in Massachusetts. When my daughter started preschool at 3....she went four days a week for 3 hours.....that was my choice....if I wanted longer I could have had it.....but felt she wasn't quite ready.
This is her LAST year of preschool and right now she goes 5 days.....4 of which are 6 hours and the last (Firday) is half day ( 3 hours).
Some school systems have smaller preschools......a suggestion for schools that are small.....our town's preschool is a HUGE moneymaker for them.....all the kids with special needs of course have NO tuition.....but since it is an INTERGRATED preschool.....the "typical" kids pay for preschool......luckily it is an AWESOME preschool and there is a 2-3 year waiting list for "typical" students to get in. Some school systems may think they don't have enough $$$$ to fund a large preschool....but if you do it correctly....the typical kids mya just wind up funing it ALL for them !!!
Allisa
|
|
