Thread: need help grrr

i have a stalker lol

It may make the difference whether you are asking for the entire class (a whole class of kids) or just your daughter's schedule to be changed. I wouldn't ask for the schedule (either way) to be changed to after school - the school day has to stop at a certain points, and teachers have to be allowed to go home. They often have after-school tutoring, activities of their own, and families to take care of. If homeroom is not a a regular length class time, then they may not allow that, because classes have to be for a certain length. There's a lot of logistics that go into scheduling classes, and even more when students have to be pulled out for various programs and activities.

All that said, does your daughter have an IEP or 504 plan? If so, her teacher still has to modify her work according to her IEP/504, regardless of any Title I participation. If your daughter is struggling because of a learning disability, or any other type of disability, and she isn't on an IEP or 504, make the school test her, and she will automatically be eligible for modifications according to a plan developed by you, her teachers, and possibly the counselors and test-givers.

You don't necessarily need a petition - if the school won't do it for you (ask the assistant principal or counselor, if the teacher won't help), then call the special education department of the school district. Tell them what you want. If they won't help you, find an advocate - there are parent advocates for students in special education programs, and I assume that would extend to Title I as well, if you explained the situation. I don't know how to find one; I guess you could search the web, or even ask the school district. Maybe someone here from your state would have a better idea.

The requirements for the plays, I can understand. The children may practice during music, and it's not fair to the large majority in music if they can't practice the play because someone is missing. The trick is in letting everyone who wants to be into the music class.

If you think there is any chance hooked on phonics will help , go for it. A child has to be able to read to understand any subject and the sooner she can catch up with her class or up to her abilities the better. My husband taught in a 1-12 grade school in the past. He was shocked to find seniors who couldn't read and part of it was just because no one spent the time it took to help them catch up. Try teaching business math to a non reader. He started teaching reading in his math classes. I saw a hooked on phonics at Sams Club for about 1/3 the regular price. It was there just before Christmas.
Good luck.

Like Bug said does she have an IEP. Title One is a federal program. Before you doing a petition you need to talk to someone at the school and find out the answers to the questions that you said above, like When is title one given and why. Kids need gym and music if it is offered and they can't take them away from it. As far as after school you will have to deal with teachers' contracts and unions if you want to try that one. Again, I would talk to someone higher then the teacher to get answers.

Is she being pulled out for Title I, or was this a class that was originally scheduled (since the beginning of the school year)?

If she's being pulled out, I assume there's a reason - what did they tell you was the reason? If it's just for extra tutoring, then find out what her test scores are (previous year, or practice tests) to determine if she is far behind and would benefit from the extra help more than any other classes, or if she is on the edge, and could get extra help from you, another family member, or a high schoo/college student (as a tutor). If she is having a lot of trouble, and has not been tested for a learning disability, then have her tested - ask the school to do it, and it shouldn't cost you anything. If she needs help, and qualifies, then she can get into an IEP or 504, and the teacher is required to modify her work as necessary. If that is done, the Title I material may not be as necessary as it is now.

Much of this depends on her ability level (as far as test scores) and on whether she has any learning differences that may account for her needing to be pulled out of class.

As another route, you might look into an after school program for her. Alot of schools have affiliations with YMCA or Maverick Clubs/Boys and Girls Clubs, and they run after-school programs in the schools. They have tutoring and sports available for the kids - sometimes organized sports, and sometimes free gym times, along with tutoring and homework help. Sometimes this costs, but in some schools, it's absolutely free. You can ask at the school, or at the local branch of the Y or Boys & Girls Club. That would give her involvement in the gym aspect, plus extra help with her schoolwork at school (with the same kids she goes to school with), even if it's not during classtime.

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