I take it, Jason, that Lauren did not get testing and an IEP from the local district before the fact? Usually, when a kid moves into "special education", a meeting is held with the parents, current teacher, spec. ed. teacher and a developmental education "specialist". This all depends on how Kansas' Board of Ed defines the process. In some districts the parents have greater input. In others, they have less. I would be really surprised to find a special ed. program for kindergartners anyway, unless the district has oodles of money. Teachers for S.E. kids in kindergarten can pretty much name their price--at least that's what my wife found out this summer. I think you are wise to moveslowly in this area. How long has Lauren's teacher been teaching? How long at the "K" level? How long in that district? I would be reticent to let them "pigeonhole" Lauren too quickly. It may be an attempt by Lauren's teacher to homogenize her class and make life easier on herself. If there is insistence on the school's part to move Lauren out of "mainstream", I would insist that she be re-evaluated at least twice during the school year, and make sure that mainstreaming is a goal that is clearly spelled out in her IEPs. -Kyle -----Original Message----- From: Jason Kruse PA [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2002 12:57 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Starting Kindegarten Hello everyone- Well Lauren started Kindergarten yesterday. FYI, she is 5 years and 3 months, mild left hemi and hypotonia. She was given the green light from Rainbows an early child hood development center that she should be able to attend K this fall. We put her in a summer learning day care to help acclimated her to a more structured environment and she had a few problems early on with "listening" but that improved and there were no more problems. The first day of K my wife states that the teacher looked stressed and stated that she didn't listen well. This is NOT a suprise to us because she becomes aloof at home as well and we have to spend extra time with to get her to focus and about not listening to our instructions or requests but with time and consequences she "catches on". I feel that is she is not as mature and most kids her age and I think this is part of her global delay. The principle is very supportive about watching her for 3 weeks to determine if she need special education. Im intimidated by the term but don't know what it really entails. When and how does someone progress out of special ed and how is it determined who goes there or not. We are going to have a sit down discussion next week with the principle and teacher to discuss everything about her condition and our prospective and expectations. I would love to here your alls Kindegarten experiences with your kids Thanks Jason-dad Jason Kruse, PA Family Medicine East Heartland Research Associates Kansas PA Temps