Thanks for the article. I had given something similar to the special ed dircetor, who actually attended the meeting, and he said that nothing will be done because she is not failing. So even though she qualifies as having a SLD according to the discrepancy model, she doesn't have a composite score below 80 or whatever they consider below average.
[/quote]She actually qualified as having a math calculation disability as well but with achievement scores (untimed tests) at 99th percentile, giving her any services for math would be considered ridiculous.[/quote]
Part of the key to an IEP is qualifying - once you've qualified, no matter what the qualification category - the school should be able to provide individualized instruction and accommodations in areas where she needs it. Does your school district ever qualify students who have ADHD diagnoses as OHI (Otherwise Health Impaired)? When we were advocating for an IEP for our ds, the school wanted us to keep his ADHD diagnosis (even though it wasn't correct) because they felt it would be easier to qualify him - didn't have to follow the same strict guidelines that they do for SLD. Second thing, those guidelines (minimum scores etc) for qualifying under SLD are just that - *guidelines*, not barriers. The decision for eligibility is supposed to be a team decision. FWIW, the SPED teacher at ds' elementary school did not vote to qualify ds because she felt *very* strongly that giving an IEP to a student who wasn't poor and wasn't low IQ took away from other students. Everyone else on the team though felt he qualified - a previous year's teacher, parents, school district rep. Is there anyone else who is a resource who might be in favor of getting your ds qualified that you could call in to participate when you have a team meeting?
polarbear
