I would be very uncomfortable with the way it's worded now. You might have a teacher who is doing the "right" thing now, but what about next year? What happens when a sub is in the classroom? What happens in a pull-out classroom?

I also am not sure I'm comfortable with the teacher deciding when, even when it's being done as you've outlined. This is just my take on it, so take it with a grain of salt... but fwiw... for my ds with dysgraphia, letting him use handwriting for an extended written response until he gets tired would cause a negative impact on the rest of his school day. I also think that putting the burden on the student in any way to ask for an accommodation isn't fair and runs the risk the accommodation won't be given. Although your IEP doesn't state "student must ask" your ds is somewhat being put into that position - if he gets tired while writing and a teacher doesn't notice, he has to ask for his accommodation.

I think that one thing that may be happening with your IEP is that it's the first time your ds has had an IEP, so the "monitor" language means the school staff is trying to figure out exactly what they need to provide. BUT - if you feel your ds needs an accommodation and shouldn't need to go through a trial period of figuring out whether or not he needs it, I'd request it.

I think what I'd do in your situation (since you haven't signed the IEP yet) is to write up the list of accommodations as you'd like to see it written (you could pass it by us here if you wanted to :)). If you have any written report from a private eval that lists needs for accommodations I'd include a copy of it with your list. If the school comes back and says they need to assess what your ds needs, point out to them that they have already done the assessment in the classroom and he needs accommodation .....

Is there another team meeting scheduled to finalize the IEP or are you just supposed to sign it to finalize it? If you feel like you need another meeting, you can call one.

I also forgot - have you consulted with an advocate? Is there any local group you can ask to have someone review the IEP doc? DeeDee mentioned that the type of wiggle-room included in your doc is not permitted in her school district; it's not supposed to be permitted here either, but we found in consulting our advocate service that our school was not paying good attention to what they were supposed to be doing in putting togethe the document - we had what was considered a "weak" IEP in terms of goals. Having that outside-the-school review of the document was helpful.

Did they give your ds accommodations for state testing?

Overall it sounds like your meeting went well - congrats!

polarbear


Last edited by polarbear; 09/29/12 09:53 AM.