Ok Elaine, here it goes.  Get her mainstreamed and placed into a lower class
for reading.  Technically, children in most states have to be at least 2
years behind to qualify for special education services.  IDEA states that
she needs to be doing the same curriculum as everyone else.  Any exceptions
have to be placed on the IEP, also, any supports she needs to be in the
mainstream curriculum should be found on the IEP.  Therefore, she can be
mainstreamed with an aide if needed with a plan on how to remove the aide.
Just like with reading they need to have a plan on how to get her reading up
to grade level.
If I might also suggest that you get a good functional level on her sight.
I find it hard to believe that she is scoring that high on her IQ test and
yet is having problems with her reading.
How is she reading her books?

Beth the OT

-----Original Message-----
From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Elaine Taylor
Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2000 6:30 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Need School Advice


Hi guys, I need your expert advise.  Currently, Briana is in a 2nd grade
contained class for math, science, social studies.  She is mainstreamed for
her specials (computer, art, music, etc.), and she is in a 1st grade
mainstream ILA class (Integrated Language Arts, a fancy name for reading).

She was recently tested by her ILA teacher and came in at a second grade
reading level, and she scored 118 on her I.Q. test (124 without the math
portion, she didn't do very well on the verbal math part) According to the
Child Study team person, 118 is above average.

Now for my quandary, I want to mainstream Bri for all subjects on a third
grade level, but, in order to do that, I need to jump her up a grade in
reading.  Now I plan on getting a tutor over the summer for reading, and I
told them she could be put in the lowest level 3rd grade reading class they
have, but I have a feeling that they want to keep her back in second grade
and mainstream her in 2nd instead of jumping into full mainstream on a third
grade level.

I haven't had my IEP meeting yet, and I do trust her teacher, I just don't
know what to do.  Also, how do I explain to my daughter who's been getting
awards and A's all year that she has to stay back?

Any advise would be appreciated.

Elaine