Samuel came home with some low Science Test scores. He took the tests late last week. I'm still trying to work out a good system of communicating with his teachers about what to study. I don't see all that much of his work come home in some of his subjects, science being one of them. I rely on study sheets, and this past time one came home at the beginning of the quarter, but it didn't cover everything. I got a second one 2 days before the test and that wasn't enough time to go over everything. I am able to look up on-line the general topics covered in each class for the quarter, but it does not give details about what he is being taught. We're still trying to figure out exactly what Samuel can and cannot comprehend, and how he communicates this to us.
I spoke with Samuel's teacher for a while yesterday afternoon about this. It was time for us to touch base about how he is doing anyways. He is doing much better now, 2 months after we relaxed his curriculum requirements, on Spelling and Reading tests. I think Samuel does much better when I take the time to go over his work at home with him.
I'm a little nervous because he will have alternate assessments done next year (instead of taking the same standardized tests that other 3rd graders take), and I'm wondering to what standards he will be held. After talking with his teacher I'm left with a vague understanding, like there might not be a lot of accountability. Add all this to the list of things for me to keep up with and research a bit!
6 comments:
If you can get them to send home homework and what's going on.. you will have better luck than I have had.
Very frustrating.
Does he have an IEP??
Have you ever thought to have a psychometric assessment done to tell you what he knows and how he learns??? Not cheap. I'd have to pay mine out of pocket and it'll be around $2000 (that is what I was told I haven't looked into it) for the eldest - planning on doing it as part of the prep for h/s. The littlest had his done as part of the IBI/ABA program so I didn't have to pay for it. Doesn't mean I won't have another done as we get closer to h/s.
S.
Does Samuel's school have a website? My 15 year olds school website has and each department lists curriculum, lessons and books to use and websites to access. I have also seen primary school websites that do this.
You could also produce a weekly assessment sheet and ask the teacher to fill it in on Friday and send it home.You could ask the teacher to fill in what Samuel has done for each subject and what she thinks he understands.
I am probably teaching you to 'suck eggs' here but the teacher should be doing weekly assessments on Samuel anyway and keeping a record of it.
Thanks for the suggestions ladies! S, Samuel does have an IEP and his tests are being formed based on his goals in that. I have considered getting an educational assessment for Samuel done. I've been talking to my husband about this and preparing him for the fact that it might cost thousands of dollars. I think this is important though because I cannot get in there and observe Samuel myself. It would be good to have some objective and professional observation that is not biased towards the school system.
A.H.W., The website for Samuel's school does give what is called a "curriculum map", but it only tells what the general subject is. I have subscribed to an educational site that his teacher uses and that is helpful but I have to know what they are going to study in particular. For example, in Science for this quarter the curriculum map says "Life Cycles, and Plants". When I log on to abcteach.com, they give lifecycle worksheets for lots of animals, and I think for plants they have charts you can fill in. I need to know from the teacher what she'll cover, and then from there I can make up homework assignments day-to-day.
I always put in my parent comments that I place a lot of importance on regular communication and being considered a part of Samuel's "educational team". It's such a battle!
I really like your idea of a weekly assessment sheet. I'm sure the school would balk at that, however. I spent a large portion of the last IEP meeting convincing them they should send home a report of his behavioral incidents.. ended up the teacher was tracking them all along anyways?! Why would they hesitate to let ME see it!?
I still have a lot to learn about successfully navigating the whole IEP process and standing up to the school. I have not "unleashed" my husband on them yet, that could be very interesting...
Going to Cali this weekend!! We're you the one asking me about the government grants website? Here it is..Here ya go..
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