Testing for an 14 yr old and the pennsylvania law

[ngaburon]

My son has been struggling with learning issues forever.  He is just about to finish the eighth grade.  I have made a formal request in writing and submitted it to the school back in March.  At the end of third grade it became obvious that he had memorized every word he knew, but didnt know phonics.  We sent him to a learining center for the summer and spent the year with a reading specialist.  Next year, new school, gave them all the info, but as he seemed to turn the corner for reading and things were progressing the new school blew it off.  While I questioned it with things like comprehension and writing papers, etc, they didnt think if warranted any major concern.  But the last two years have been a constant struggle, etc.  The more I learn about it, the more I watch him, the more I continue to study with him,etc, I know there is a comprehension problem.  Initially the school asked me tocome in and talk with them for a meeting with the psychologist.  I had pink eye that day, so I called to let the guidance counselor know.  She thought it would be fine since I was treating it. But when I got there the principal was floored.  He expressed how he would have rescheduled and wasnt ok, but didnt ask to reschedule it and we went to his office. We started the meeting and just as the psychologist asked what i wanted her to look for when she tested him the principal interupted and said he was "taking over the meeting".  He said again that he was uncomfortable with me having pink eye.  He said that I was in here and touching things and blah, blah, blah, and then he said that my son's grades were not that bad and that we would start with learning support. For the next six to eight weeks I have major sick kids in my house and I am waiting for an email.  I send my own when I realize that it has been many weeks.  THey tell me he is being helped to see if he "qualifies" for learning support.  He then starts to meet with the special education teacher a few times a week.  They tell me they are going over papers, stuff ,,etc with him and helping him prepare for final, etc and to determine if he needs testing.  At this point I am even more certain that there is something going on with his comprehension.  Although all kids are different, I have two others in school and there is most certainly a big difference when it comes to the comprehension , processing,etc with him. He probably is a smart kid and that is why he doesnt look so bad on paper, but every year his grades get lower and now we are at a danger place.  I dont see how he can get thru four years of high school without some help.  I was under the impression that the school had to test him because several people told me that including people who are counselors, but I have recently been told that that just isnt true.  If they test him great, if not, how do Ihelp  him????  Does anyone know exactly what pennsylvania law says?  Do they have to test him and how do I find a child advocate for my son?  Help please, I just cant bare anymore homework fights.  I feel like I am going to throw up all the time wondering how to get the help for him he needs. 

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by ngaburon 

 I send my own when I realize that it has been many weeks.  THey tell me he is being helped to see if he "qualifies" for learning sup  Does anyone know exactly what pennsylvania law says?  Do they have to test him and how do I find a child advocate for my son?  Help please, I just cant bare anymore homework fights.  I feel like I am going to throw up all the time wondering how to get the help for him he needs. 

You may want to have this moved to the Special Needs Board.

Does he have a diagnosis for a particular learning disorder or is this what you are trying to get from the school? A diagnosis is helpful in dealing with schools.

Also, sometime vision issues appear to be other learning disabilities Developmental Optometrists

PA Department of Education - Special Education in PA - ConsultLine - Commonwealth Portal

Specific Learning Disabilities, Discrepancy and ... - Wrightslaw

Special Ed Legal - Wrightslaw: From Emotions To Advocacy - The ...

Search-Special Education Advocate in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania-testing for learning disabilities

Edited by Emmeline II - 5/28/11 at 5:07pm

[karne]

A few thoughts. It's not at all unusual for kids with mild LD's  and executive function issues to get through school OK, until the demands increase to a point where their inability to meet the demands of grade level expectations become an issue.

I think that you're in a bit of a tough spot.  First let me say that pink eye is a huge deal in our schools because it's so contagious.  I'm not surprised that it was an issue regarding being in the school itself.  The other thing is that you're asking for testing and a plan in March, prior to transferring to high school, and my guess is that that's not an easy thing to have happen.  If you were concerned 'forever", it probably would have been good to ask for testing earlier, regardless of what the schools said.  I

It's the norm to put in supports and evaluate as part of, or prior to assessing for LD's.  It may be RTI (response to intervention), and your child's response to services needs to be documented for a certain period of time before determining if he's eligible for spec ed services.

I'm not sure where you are w/the testing?  If it's not done prior to leaving 8th grade, you could ask for it to be done at the beginning of 9th, at the high school.  Put your request in writing, and ask for another meeting so that you can understand the process, and how to transition your concerns as your son transitions to high school.