Exactly, @Momof51019. I started at a community college because that’s what I could afford, but it was my choice, not my high school’s. Good luck to you.
Algebra 2 will be very helpful with either chemistry or physics. She does need a physical science if possible since her other science credits are life science. Earth science should be possible with just algebra 1, though.
If you can afford or your insurance will cover it, private testing (neuro-psych or ed-psych not affiliated with the school) might help you understand her challenges and her strengths and what kind of interventions would make her stronger for college.
There ar colleges out there where your daughter will get accepted and where she will thrive.
There are many great schools for kids with learning differences, as well as schools wth excellent disabilities support services. Look for schools that have both.
Mom- you need to be assertive and remove the thinking that challenging the system is confrontational. Your child fits into the outside the standard deviation area and her needs are not met by the curriculum that serves the majority (this happens on the gifted end as well). Another poster pointed out your/her rights with the IEP- be sure to get them. Individualized means just that, it does not mean fitting her into a designated box the school may have. Remember- the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Going out of your comfort zone will help your child. Do this for her best education, not just to qualify her for colleges.
Another thought. Should your D plan on getting a regular 4 year degree? Your posts indicate she seems to be a slow learner. She may not be a good fit as a freshman at a standard bachelors degree college. It may be in her best interest to take courses at a community college and then transfer if she decides on a major and can handle the pace. Not all students should get bachelor’s degrees. Along with planning a HS schedule to get into colleges she should get aptitude and interest testing to help her figure out what to do. I did this my sophomore year in college. There must be ways to get this done through the school system or community college system eventually- for free.
It is not good enough for any student to get accepted into a college. To succeed they must not only handle the classes but have a goal- a major. Even if/when she changes her goals having a definite goal will help her motivation to do the work required. Wanting to go to college is the first step, but knowing what one plans to do once there is the next needed step. Good luck to her.
That’s so odd about earth science. In our system the honors kids take biology in 8th grade and skip earth science as “too easy”. Many kids who are weak in math took earth science instead of chemistry because it fills the requirement the two kinds of science you have to take for a NYS Regents diploma. I looked through the Science requirements and they are sufficiently complicated (and ever changing!) that what was standard when my kids were in hs is probably no longer true. There should be a lot more options here than your school is giving you.
Of course there are 4 year colleges that will admit your daughter. She might have to take a remedial course in math, or you could start her taking that course in a community college while still in hs. Look at the requirements for the college you are thinking of for her, and see how the track she is in now matches up. If she needs a different class, with a lab, show that to the IEP folks or the guidance counselor.
My daughter took the 2 year algebra sequence. It is not that uncommon in California, and she wasnt special ed. She did not take chemistry or physics in high school, but took physical science, bio, and environmental. She is in a 4 year college. She has to take a math class because she didn’t test out of it on the ACT. She has to take 6 credits of science in college (although most courses are 4 each because of the lab), but that is a core requirement so unless there is AP course credit, all Arts and Science majors have to take them. Quite a few choices, including geography and geology, not just biology and chem.
MY concern is that even as a student with a disability, she still needs 1 year of life science with labs and 1 year of physical science with labs in order to meet the graduation requirement in NYS. Although your school district may have waived this, if your school is ever audited there are going to be some problems. Marine biology does not fulfill the physical science requirement (you would need earth science, chem or physics).
mathmom., I was told by the school that my daughter is getting a regents diploma. I don’t see how with only 1 year of lab science (if they get their way) I’m going to have to fight themhave her take Chemistry or Earth Science in junior or senior year to get the 2nd math credit. Not only do I believe these administrators lied to me about the regents diploma, or the requirements have changed. Something tells me the former is true.
sybbie719, if my district is doing something underhanded it wouldn’t surprise me. They just put her right into marine bio for the Fall, not giving her any other choices. And they told me she’s getting a regents diploma. Now they’ve got some explaining it to do. I’m going to contact them and let them know that I’m fully aware of the NYS requirements for graduation and what constitutes a college prep curriculum. I regret allowing them to put her in this track.
What’s her current schedule? What’s her schedule for next year and senior year?
If she has dysgraphia, then she’s entitled to a laptop (scribe may nor be necessary if she’s allowed to use an alternate mode of writing things down); however she may have dyspraxia, which means copying off the board is excruciating for her and very slow, with many back-and-forths to check, many errors, and in this case she SHOULD have a scribe.
It sounds like your school is playing fast and loose with the rules.
Once we know her GPA and current schedule we’ll be able to suggest a few college’s to look into.
I don’t know about NY state but I live in NJ and in NJ, a school cannot dictate that you follow a certain tracking. In our school system many parents have signed their children into higher level classes than what the school tracking put them in. I would research her legal rights and not take the school at their word.
MYOS1634, Would she need a neoropsych exam to diagnose dyspraxia? Our insurance does not cover this, and I understand it is costly. The school is basically saying she can do the writing, and that she’s not trying had enough, which isn’t true. She had OT for 5 years before it was discontinued. Writing essays is a nightmare for her, and she dictates homework answers and I do the writing it it requires more than a paragraph.
I would just like to point out that schools are not always trying to take the path of least resistance, and in my experience (HS teacher for 20 years) are very rarely actively seeking to harm students educational opportunities. Obviously I know nothing about the OP’s situation. But I have seen parents and schools on different pages b/c parents have unrealistic expectations for their child. Again, I am NOT saying OP’s D would or would not be successful in a different class- but I have seen parents push for placements ( college prep etc) that aren’t right for their kid’s needs
In order to get the regents diploma she must fulfill all of the credit requirements and pass 5 regents exams with a score of 65+. The state now follows a 4+1 option where she will need to pass 1 Common core English, one common core math, one social studies (global or U.S. History), 1 science (either living environment, earth science, chemistry or physics). The +1 is a second math, social studies or science regents.
She still needs the academics which are
8 (4 units) credits English
4 credits (2units) global
2 credits ( 1 unit US history)
1credit (.5 unit) government
1 credit (.5 unit) economics
1 year of life science with 1200 minutes of land
1 year of physical science with 1200 min labs
The 3rd year can be life or physical science
6 credits (3 units ) mathematics- sequence CC algebra, CC geometry and CC al2/trig
1 year Arts - 2 credits
1 credit Health
4 units (8 semesters of PE)
7 elective credits
Will pm you with the Name of the cornice person for the state so that you can seek clarification on the science requirement.
is they have her boxed in this track she she’s not scheduled to take another math (she is but it’s something taught in self contained called Algebra 3.) Never heard of it and I’m sure 4 year schools won’t accept it. The school more or less wrote my child (who is bright but has a learning disability), as a future vocational or CC student, which, as I said earlier is fine but age wants to aim higher whole still being realistic about her limitations.
sybbie719. The math is the problem. They’re not even giving her the option of taking Geometry or Algebra 2. Instead, as I stated before they’re pushing something called Algebra 3. Thank you for getting me that information also. And if you know what Algebra 3 is let me know. I’m being a realist here and she is weak in math, but she and I both find these assumptions insulting. I only wish I had said no to it 2 years ago.
Having dealt with schools on behalf of two of my children, I again strongly advise that you hire an advocate or lawyer. You can pay for one hour with a lawyer and, if your presentation to the lawyer is organized, get all the info you need in that one hour, for the price of one hour. Often you do not then need the lawyer to meet with you at the school though that would of course be wonderful.
My husband never helped and one of my kids had a condition that could be actually life-threatening, and the school offered plenty of resistance. I taught my kids to understand that this is “institutional behavior”, that institutions like schools are like organisms that have to do what they need to do to protect themselves, sometimes for a greater good, and sometimes just to sustain the organism, so to speak. In any case, it helped us to see it that way, and not demonize or personalize. There are often agendas or factors that we parents don’t know about, and they may not understand ours either.
I did a good job, honestly, and my kids did well , but honestly those years were so painful I cannot even bear to live in the town anymore. Just saying, you are not alone. Be brave even if it hurts.
And you need some clout. I did it by going to School Committee meetings and doing things for the schools and speaking out on other issues. But having someone by your side when you meet with the school is really really helpful. I did it too late to save myself some pain, but in time to save my daughter’s education and well-being.
Put your daughter’s photo in the middle of the table at the meeting…
I did end up homeschooling one of mine. She is bright but does everything slowly, for a variety of reasons. I homeschooled her in kindergarten (!), 3rd grade, and 12th grade, So her whole educational life was customized. Online classes really helped her. Virtual High School, which our school now belongs to.
Find what works. It may be that there is some other way for your daughter to make progress, without as much stress.
The child I just mentioned went to a 4 year school and did okay but felt insecure and stressed. She did community college for a year. Now she is in an adult learner/degree completion program and takes one class at a time, two classes per semester, and works. She loves to work and feels good about herself.
The road is long and bumpy for all of our kids, and we all feel our way. Clearly you are ready to do something and I hope that the forum has been helpful. Good luck!
Did she take and pass the common core algebra regents (with at least a 70). ETA she is taking it next month
Did she take algebra freshman and soo hote year?
She cannot get credit for more than 2 years 4 credits of algebra. You cannot fill the requirement with only one type of math. She should minimally be taking geometry. If the give her this algebra 3 thing, she most likely would not and should not get credit.
updated changes effective march 2016
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/gradreq/CurrentDiplomaRequirements.pdf
Why? Says who?
what does her IEP state?
Is she in a full special class environment or does she just have special class for mathematics?
do you think that she could benefit from having her IEP amended?
Would you want her in a lesser restrictive environment for science (perhaps ICT/SETSS)?
She is in a self-contained class for math. (And because she’s in math she automatically has to be in self- contained science. (Biology with Regents). I would really like her to be able to take ICT class for Geometry. And I’m assuming they wouldn’t have an ICT class for Chemistry, but she would need another lab science.