[melgrant]

I think I am going to lose my mind trying to figure out how to wrangle an education out of the school system for Dennis, who came home 4 months ago at age 11.

Dennis attends our local public school, which is actually a really good one for most kids. Dennis loves to attend school -- to him, it's what "normal" kids do. He was only allowed to attend 1st grade in Guatemala and he hated, hated, hated watching other children go to school while he couldn't. So I am doing my level best to find a way to get him an education IN a school -- not homeschooling.

But our local school is being sooooo frustrating. Dennis was placed in 5th grade (I had to fight for that: they insisted on 6th grade). Quite obviously, he can do none of the work. He can't do anything in English at nearly that grade level -- not reading, not social studies, not science. His math skills are in the 2nd-3rd grade range, but since he wasn't placed in 3rd grade he's not getting taught any 3rd grade math. Ergo: he's not learning any math at school.

So, by the time he enters 6th grade next year, his entire scholastic career will have consisted of part of 1st grade (6 years ago) and 1/2 of 5th grade (since he arrived here). And they expect him to make the transition to middle school just one year after that!!

I have asked that he be allowed to repeat 5th grade -- after all, he only got part of even that grade in. They say no. I've tried getting him tutoring through Sylvan, Huntington, etc. but they have no tutors in our area who speak Spanish, so they'll take my money but they admit they won't teach him much until his English "catches up" (which is likely to be years from now -- and I cannot for the life of me see why he should be trapped at 3rd grade math just because he doesn't speak English!) I have tried other school districts, where there are some Spanish immersion schools, and they have refused to accept him because of his lack of English. I've tried a few private schools, with the same result: the only difference between the private and public schools seems to be that I'd have to pay for the privilege of having him sit in class without any appropriate work to do.

Help! Isn't there something I can do to force the school to meet this child at his own level? He has no behavioral issues, no learning disabilities, nothing whatsoever that would suggest he couldn't thrive and flourish if only he can get an education!!

[KellyMigoya]

What are your state regulations? in California you can request an IEP (Independant Education program) and they have to test your child within 30 days and it is extensive testing. Then after that you have a meeting with the people doing the testing, the principle of the school, the speech people, psycholgist, etc to come up with an education plan and you have to sign off on the plan. They the district has to follow the plan to the "t" and are in big trouble if they don't. At any time you can request another IEP if you feel that not all bases are being conered. You can also use yor won specialists if you want for the IEP. Since I am an attorney I have had better luck with my five year old's IEP than most, but I know people have had to hire attorneys. My next door neighbor went and sat in the distric office until they met with her and she started getting some answers. Good luck!

[kelleymac]

I don't have any experience with this at all, but if worst came to worst, could you get a translator to work in conjunction with a tutor at someplace like Sylvan? Expensive, I'm sure, but maybe with two of them (tutoring in English, translating to Spanish) they could help him catch up?

I'm sorry you're going through this.

Kelley

[cbjz]

You need to contact your State Education Department to find a child advocate. The law says that the public school has to provide him with an education.. which is someone who can provide him with an ESL curriculum. That would be the best place to start. Now it probably wont be easy and depending on your administrators in the school system will depend on if it is easy going or if it becomes a battle.
You go online and type your state name then department of education after that then look at the web site to see what you find. If you need any other help let me know.

[cbjz]

One more thing... have you had him tested? I know you could look at having him tested then an IEP be compiled for him on what he needs....but if your school has no one to help with an ESL program that might not work.

[fleul]

So sorry that you are having to go through this! I thought ESL HAD to be provided? Not sure if all states have this, but I thought someone told me most do. It is sad to hear that the school is acting like they are! That would frustrate me.

Also, what about the Kumon program? I don't know if that is availble in your area or not, but maybe you can check on that. In our community, it is offered at the library.



Just trying to think of some things to help! I will be thinking of you!

Linda

[sarahdavek]

We just got done fighting to get help for our 3 yr old (different set of issues but equally as difficult to get things resolved). My advice is to go post on the Russian board as I know there are several sets of parents there dealing with exactly your problems. Hopefully they can help you.

Keep fighting - yours is the only voice that will fight for your child (sad, isn't it?!?!).

[melgrant]

Thank you all so much for your help. We live in MN, and I don't know what the laws/regs are here.

Our principal is new this year, and she says that Dennis is not entitled to any extra tutoring or services because he is a new immigrant (as opposed to a native-born child who, e.g., had learning disabilities).

He does get 1/2 hour to 1 hour of ESL four days a week, along with some other newly-immigrated kids who are much younger than he is. So far he has been taught the names of body parts, articles of clothing, etc. Nice, but certainly not enough to really get him caught up.

His ESL teacher doesn't speak Spanish, but undoubtedly the district has people who do (I know they have at least one Spanish speaking translator, mostly to help non-English speaking parents communicate with the school).

What I don't know is what to demand. An IEP? Is that the place to start? How do I prove to this principal that she's wrong?

[LCG]

Hi melgrant, I can try and help you if you give me some more info, like where you are and what you have already tried. I am a speech and language therapist and worked in the schools for about 6 years before I had my kids. English as a second language (ESL) or english language learners (ELL) are more and more common these days. Unfortunately, these kids do not nicely fit under the special education guidelines if there is not a learning disablity, speech or language and or physical or otherwise health problem. If a child does not have a "problem" in their native language then they are not language impaired. There isn't really a profession that is trained well in this area, unless they are specifically trained and specialize in it. I know as a speech therapist we had lots of kids referred to us d/t being ELL but that really isn't our area of expertise if the child does not have a language disorder, especially if we aren't fluent in the native language. Most districts now will have a seperate program for ELL where they spend part of the day in a regular class and part of the day actually learning the language. Check with your local intermediate school district for programing info. There has to be a solution it sounds like you just have to dig for it. If your district cannot give him the instruction he is entitled, a free and appropriate public education, then they have to transport him to a district that can.

Laura

[foxl]

Does your school district have a Special Services Department? That is where I would start -- get him evaluated and develop an IEP from them. You will have to be aggressive, but YES the services ARE supposed to be in place to assist kids with delays and ESL and such! Perseverance is key -- they are hoping you will just go away and get him private care so they do not spend the money -- don't do it!

If Special Services in your district does not help, I would say, yes, then work your way up to the state level.

Keep us abreast!

[cbjz]

If I am not mistaken it is Federal Law that services be provided for your child irregardless if they are native born or newly immigrated into the country. I think the No Child Left Behind covers this along with a lot of other things. We have this problem in our school.. I see it first hand as a teacher. I get really angry when I have a student sitting in my class that needs help just with being able to communicate with me. I think I asked you this in an earlier reply about an IEP... Individualized Eduacation Plan.... This is used mostly with learning disabled and special needs. I will get on our Indiana Dept of Ed web site and see what it says and see if there is anything there that will help. I will also check with my sister in law who is a special needs teacher what she knows. I will let you know the info I find and maybe this will help you.

I will tell you that you might have to be really hard on the school corp to get something done.... You need to get all the info you can, print it out, prepare your argument and approach them. But if you know the LAW and push it, this usually forces them. But I agree with the post above they are probably just hoping you will give up and go away. But DONT because the LAW is on your side!

[csw]

We had to write a letter to the superintendant of our school system, basically threatening to sue them if they didn't test our son and develop an IEP for him..He had a dx of ADHD which is covered in the American's with Disabilities Act..
After that letter..all the sudden they agreed to test him..and lo and behold..ton's of LD's..an IEP was developed..even since then, I have about 5 meetings a year at his school and leave in tears most times..they just don't get it.

I would talk with the superintendant of your school system..

If you get no answers..I would get a lawyers assistance..sounds harsh..but we had to get really assertive with our school system..I wanted our son held back in 1st grade..they insisted he didn't need it..even though he spent most of the day UNDER his desk...ugh..

Keep us posted..

[mhpro]

I just PM'd you!

[poppy]

Hi, my oldest son is in 6th grade and they have a new mexican boy in their class. i don't know what they had to do but he has " two teachers". The regular teacher (speaks english) and one who goes everywhere with him who speaks Spanish. I do know that he wasn't born in the USA and the school had to provide the translator.

If you can hang in there the rest of this year then his english will progress over the summer. Maybe you could homeschool him this summer to help him catch up. just a thought.

[Carlee1boy]

Let me begin by saying I am so sorry that this has been so difficult for you. As a school counselor, I too get frustrated sometimes with the way things work. You will definitely have to be LOUD to the school board about your situation. It sounds like they don't know quite what to do, but they need to call in a specialist if need be to create a plan for your son.

I do agree with previous posts that your son should be provided ESOL (English as a Second Language) services. In our system, that means he would go to this teacher for language arts and reading. However she also helps her students with science and social studies.

Several people have mentioned having an assessment for an IEP, and I'm afraid you may have a hard time getting that done. First of all, the obvious lapse in his education explains why he is not on grade level. IEP's are for those who have difficulty learning in the "typical" classroom setting. It would be very hard to determine this for your son, as he has not been in an educational environment in years. The other problem I think you'll face is getting someone to assess him in his native language. Usually these assessments are administered in English, and unless your school system is ahead of the times, there may not be someone who is qualified to administer the test in Spanish.

Again, I would shout from the rooftops to the Superintendent until he/she steps up and helps the school develop a specific REALISTIC plan for your son.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Carolyn