Returning to school after home schooling. Placement testing?

[meg-momto2]

I wasn't sure where to post this. Here or Learning at school. I hope this was the right place.

I'm hoping you'll be able to help me. My DS is returning to public school for second grade. We home schooled this year for first grade. When I picked up the packet for enrollment they said they needed something showing he has learned his first grade curriculum. Our curriculum has been all over the place but most recently all online. DS was just diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder and hand writing is very difficult for him and we found the online program a perfect fit for him. Unfortunately since we got a late start I don't really have much to show for it as far as reports go.

Does anyone know where I could find an online placement test he could take showing that he knows his basic first grade curriculum? Or possibly have any other suggestions? Can the school even ask this of me?

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by meg-momto2 

 When I picked up the packet for enrollment they said they needed something showing he has learned his first grade curriculum. 
...
Can the school even ask this of me?

I don't have suggestions for resources, sorry. I did want to address your last question. You seem to doubt whether the school's request is appropriate. I think it's typical for a school to want insight and understanding about a new student, his academic status and any special needs. 

Maybe your question indicates that you think the school should assess your child's academic achievements for themselves. His new teacher will evaluate him once he's started school. Given his special needs, it may be a good idea for the school to conduct an assessment before the new school year starts. In the meantime, however, I would welcome the opportunity to demonstrate what he's learned and provide some input to the school. Some children won't be comfortable in a new setting and won't perform well for unfamiliar people. Information from home can be very useful for the school. It sounds like the school understands this and realizes that work he generates at home will likely give them an accurate and reliable indication of his academic output. I'd consider it a vote of confidence that they will rely on the materials you give them for his placement evaluation. 

In fact, I'd be concerned if the school wasn't asking for this material or even worse, didn't want to look at his previous work or get your input. 

Is the school going to put a plan in place for accommodations and modifications to address his SPD and graphomotor issues? You probably have already dealt with them about it, but if not, you may want to address those issues with them early on, so that they have an understanding of his needs before they get far with any evaluations on their own. I'm sure there's a lot of stress right now while you and he prepare for school. Best wishes. 

[Linda on the move]

Is 2nd grade his age appropriate grade, or are you asking for him to be placed with older children?

I'm a former homeschooler whose kids now attend school. I would put together a short packet (5-10 pages) with representation of what he can do in reading, writing, and math. A list of books he's recently read, a couple of sample math worksheet, etc. I'd have the top page summarize the other pages. What he is capable of right now is more important that what you did all year, so proving that he can do math at the end of first grade level is what they are looking for, not the work that got him to this point.

By your own admission he is not at "grade level" in writing, so I would include a separate letter stating that you believe he has special needs and request an evaluation for either a 504 or IEP. I would attach a copy of his is diagnoses. This is a legal step in the process for him to have accommodation at school. The trend for special needs kids is to place them with their age mates, not by ability, so even though I would turn it in at the same time as everything else (because it backs up your desire to have him in his age appropriate grade) this is a separate deal. There is an current thread on the special needs board on getting a 504 in place, with links to all the laws.

[meg-momto2]

Thank you ollyoxenfree. I didn't mean to sound resistant to the schools request. I was home schooled for 7th & 8th grade and didn't take any sort of testing before entering public high school. I didn't know if this was something they would provide or help with or if it was all up to me.

I would love to get things in motion as far as a IEP or 504 plan or evaluation before school even starts but it didn't sound like that was an option. I asked to speak with the counselor but the office staff said I had to wait until open house 5 days before the first day of school. They also said I had to put in a written request for a specific teacher that would be a good fit for him. I'm going to look into it some more and speak with his OT therapist about this.

[meg-momto2]

Linda, yes 2nd grade would be the appropriate grade for him. Your packet is a wonderful idea and something I can do easily. Thank you. And I was the one who started that thread in the SN board.

[Linda on the move]

  I thought that thread seemed perfect for you! Making the request in writing, a real letter with a date and a signature is important, but they don't have to do anything until after school starts. They will *most likely* want to see how he does at school before deciding what sort of accommodations to make.  (every school is different, when I enrolled my DDs after homeschooling, I didn't have to show any work, but my kids did take some basic test to see where they were)

In addition to the formal letter to the school, once you know who his teacher is, I'd give her a call or stop by during one of the prep days just to give her a heads up.

There really isn't much you can do about it right now, except become familier with the laws, and try to find some copies of 504 plans for kids with similar issues.

We had WONDERFUL experiences with the school. We really were all working together as a team to do what was best for the kids. I hope your experiences is as positive.

There are several former homeschoolers on the learning at school board if you want to talk more about transitioning.