Now that the Christmas / Winter break is coming to an end, it is a good time to talk to teachers and possibly the case manager who is in charge of your child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP). Most public schools should be near the end of the second marking period and IEP meetings for the next school year should be in the planning stage for the spring. The problem is that everyone is still in holiday mentality and there hasn’t been a conversation about school for an extended time.
It is important for parents and students to review their goals and plans and remind themselves of their current levels of success / need for improvement. Even if your child doesn’t have an IEP, it is a good time to review where you are and update your goals. Most schools have an on-line gradebook so that you can access grades and assignments, but if you have trouble accessing that information, contact your school’s guidance counselor or main office.
If things are going really well, the conversation may be about adding a class next year that is at a higher level than the current class. If there are current problems, the conversation will be about identifying specific performance issues and developing a plan for improvement. Sometimes the problem isn’t the level of the work, but rather the fact that work is not being completed. A review of assignments will determine if work is completed or not completed and the grade for assignments, quizzes and tests. Tests are worth more than quizzes and homework and participation is worth less than quizzes.
If work is not completed, you need to look at attendance and punctuality. If you aren’t in school, it is difficult to get everything completed and you don’t have a chance to get help in class or at another time during the school day. If attendance isn’t an issue, and the work isn’t completed because of a lack of understanding, then a plan for improvement needs to be completed. If there is an IEP in place, that plan can be reviewed and appropriate changes can be made. Making improvements requires a hands on approach that is consistent and timely.
Good luck and leave me a comment if you need additional help.
Abilities Not Disabilities 