[Indy]

The local high school where my sons go has a school wide policy of grading. 90% of the grade for EVERY class is based on test scores. Homework and participation is only 10%. This has proven disastrous for several of my sons. Students are able to retake some tests.

All of the boys in high school have an IEP. Even with an IEP, we have not been able to get this policy modified enough for them to be real successful. For my developmentally disabled sons, we are able to get them support in special ed classes. For the ones with learning disabilities, it is not so easy. J3 and C have gotten it together and are actually doing pretty good.

V is still struggling. He has 4 F's, 1 D, and 1 A. On the surface, one would think that V is failing. I printed off his grades and reviewed them. He has mostly A's and B's on homework and participation. The test scores are what is hurting his grades. V can retake most tests, but has to go to the teacher to schedule the retake. V is very shy. He won't go to the teachers. I know that...the teacher of record knows it...V knows it. So...V is failing. Personally, I think the system is failing him.

I spoke to a "little bird" who offered a different approach. We all know that V will quit school as soon as he can legally do it or gets thrown out. He has lost hope. Today, I spent some time talking to him about home school again. We talked about "throwing out" mainstream education and working towards a GED. I talked with him about taking a college class and getting a part time job. V actually was "excited" about what I was talking about.

No final decisions have been made...but he seems relieved tonight. I asked him how he felt, and he said that "like weight had been lifted off his shoulders". Tonight, he is much more animated.

Thanks "little bird" for giving me a different perspective and letting me vent.

[ajjhmf]

That's great news Indy!

[lucyjoy]

Glad V is excited about this plan and I hope the details get worked out quickly.

[Barksum]

Great! Sometimes a change in perspective is all you need. Glad you were able to step back and take a look from beyond the conventional box. Hopefully V will be able to understand that failing in the mainstream high school doesn't mean he's stupid. (We're dealing with our own version of this in our home. ) I hope you get it worked out and that he can stay excited and jump on board.

[waited2long]

This sounds like just the boost he needed!!

[aMarylandfamily]

The GED is the best thing that happened for our ds - he just was not functioning in the classroom with the requirements, expectations and tests as you have also experienced and once he was failing because of tests he stopped participating, stopped doing homework and became a "let's get suspended kid" - not for bad things (while not acceptable though!) but for things like feet in the isles, rudeness to teacher, etc. The administrators were the ones to identify the GED program and its benefits for kids like him - even though sometimes it is hard on the parents to accept and he passed with scores on all sections close to or above 550 (passing is near 400 for each section). Now if only we can get him working and developing independence but that is another chapter in life here - in the meantime, promote the GED and the positives and the possibility of on-line college courses, one at a time and allow him to see one day at a time - it is easier and achievable. Glad you are willing - that makes all the difference in the world.

Keep us posted!

[Kerbchek]

This sounds like a great plan. That's cool that V's in favor of this.

I'm still stuck on the idea that he is doing well on daily work & participation, but is flunking because of tests being worth so much of the grade.... Arg!!! why do schools do this to kids??? I'm glad the school I teach at does not have this policy.

[aspenhall]

In my day, I failed because homework was so much of the grade...

I aced the tests, failed the homework and sild by with straight C's

I say GOOD!!! FOR THE GED PLAN!!!!

[waited2long]

Originally Posted by aspenhall

In my day, I failed because homework was so much of the grade...

I aced the tests, failed the homework and sild by with straight C's

I say GOOD!!! FOR THE GED PLAN!!!!

I was similar. I got straight As on all of my tests, but had a problem with attendance, so ended up with average grades. Except for Phys Ed, that I just outright flunked.

[aspenhall]

HAHAHAHAHA me too
My hubby just can't fathom how it's possible to FLUNK PE...I told him, be a couch potato growing up....PE is hard then!

[SAHmom]

Indy, I have a feeling I will be dealing with this on our 17 year old. He just struggles so much in high school and is a junior.

Hope this works out for V!

[waited2long]

Originally Posted by aspenhall

HAHAHAHAHA me too
My hubby just can't fathom how it's possible to FLUNK PE...I told him, be a couch potato growing up....PE is hard then!

Yeah and mix in hating being forced to participate... Like DODGEBALL!!!!!!

[momraine]

OH I hated dodgeball!

I got a GED and one thing that bothers me is that it always follows you. You fill out job applications or other things 30 years later and they ask about high school or GED. Of course now I have college so I can put some college.

[aspenhall]

I too hated dodgeball....I was very tall and therefore a BIG target...especially at my head....

[lucyjoy]

But with the invention of cyber schools, one can go back later and get a diploma if one chooses. So a GED doesn't have to be a final choice anymore and it doesn't mean one can't ever get a diploma. Also, once you've been to college, the GED doesn't come into play anymore anyway.