Shouldn't my son's RSP teacher know his diagnosis

[tryinghard]

I have posted before that I do not believe my difficult child's IEP was working. I took the advice given and have hired an advocate and am in the process of getting a NeruoPhyisc(not sure if I spelled this right).

During his last IEP, I asked his RSP teacher what my son's learning disabilities were and she said, "I do not know, let's go to my office and read the report". We did, and the report has no diagnosis. She said that he qualified because "he is not working to his potential"

I have been thinking about this...shouldn't she have known what his file said in order to be able to teach him properly?

 

[Martie]

Hello,

Different states use different names, and I o not know what an RSP teacher is, but I can guess.

Not only should there be a qualifying "label" (not diagnosis--that is medical) in his file, the IEP should contain INDIVIDUAL, specific and measurable goals for him. THAT is what is needed to teach any child effectively. I suggest you go to www.wrightslaw.com and read about SMART IEPs. An IEP that has no measurable goals is instructionally useless...

Many are like that but EVERYONE please remember, no matter HOW BAD your child's IEP, legal protection vs suspension and expulsion may be the most important aspect of having an IEP---especially for high school students. I would RATHER all IEPs be SMART, but they are still legally valid and enforceable even if they are defective instructionally.

Martie

 

[SRL]

Martie, I think RSP teacher is a resource teacher and if so, she certainly should have known the reason(s) that your son is in the program. That information also should be listed on the IEP document and discussed at the IEP meeting.

 

[tryinghard]

Thanks to both of you for posting! Yes, RSP is a Resource Specialist Teacher. She is the main teacher that works in two of his class rooms with him (and other students ) during the day. We had his last IEP meeting in the end of January and that is when I asked the question of what exactly were his learning disabilities according to the testing the schools did. (He has been on an IEP since first grade, he is now in sixth) She said, "I don't know, let's go look". At the time, I didn't think too much about it, but now it bothers me. She has been working with my son since the beginning of September and doesn't even know what his specific challenges\strengths are???!!! I find this very odd and wanted to know if I was off base or not.

He is on an IEP but in my opinion it is weak. He has no accomdations that they refuse to come up with any. I honestly had no idea about accomdations until I found this website a few months ago. Based on advice you have given me previously, I am in the process of getting him a NeuroPhysic (sp) outside the school and I have hired an advocate. I will be setting up another IEP once I have these results with the advocate present so that we can hopefully get an IEP that is meaningful.

What I have encountered in both schools is that they really do not want to help and write the IEP that is easiest on them.

Do you have any other advice for me?

 

[Martie]

There are some suggestions for IEPs in the Archives of Special Education 101 and I always recommend the link I gave you to Wrightslaw and SMART IEPs.

Martie