Hi, Christina,

It is always good to hear from you.
I love his pic.
And I agree that a piercing (except in the tongue --eek) is better than a tattoo.

The schools will lie and they do flat out lie.
They will do whatever they can to avoid helping students who are not exactly average students.
(I know this because I was a hs and middle school teacher).

Bobi / Bdix30 on BT knows a lot about this stuff. She had to work hard to help one of her sons and I think also one of her neices. Also, perhaps her masters is in this area -- I know that she has been advocating for others for awhile. If you have not already, contact her and see what she says.

Mari

I do recall her giving advice to me a couple of times elsewhere. She was very helpful when my son first started his IEPs. I really wish I had all of this info then. He has been struggling so hard and this all could have been so much easier.

I got my hands on booklet that they give out to parents called Michigan's High School Graduation Requirements. 2007-2008 Guide for Parents. What is funny is that this booklet has 16 pages. It is missing about 84 pages. The one I just sent a request for from the state capital, same cover and everything has 100 pages in it and a whole bunch of info I need. My poor printer was poopin' out trying to print stuff, I kept finding more. So I emailed the Dept. of Edu. and requested it.

I told the special ed guy that I wanted to work on setting up a personal curriculum and he hasn't returned my call. I don't think he is very happy. Maybe he is waiting to see my son's final grade in this summer class.

Christina

For one thing realize that we all are grateful to hear the lift in your voice.

Next I can tell you point blank that many school personnel don't have
a clue about special needs kids. And what they need. So don't let
them fool you.

You will get this straightened out. And you will go get them very well.
Also you might check with the special education department at
the State Department of education. If like Indiana they have a
state law that they have for parents to get copies of.

And it would help you know what the school has to provide.

Donna

Saw your post Christina!!! Sending you HUGS!!You are in my prayers tonight!

Hi Christina!
If you need any help with IEP/504 accomodations, laws, or help locating advocates to accompany you please ask! I'd be happy to help! He is most definately entitled to whatever accomodations are necessary to get him through high school - free and appropriate education for all! Let me know what I can do!
Bobi

Thanks Bobi, sorry I am just getting to this. My son is back home, and his girlfriend showed up on our door step with backpack and puppy at 7 a.m. Tuesday morning. She left home. She is 17 so not a whole lot her mother can do. I don't blame her. Her mother was trying to force her to live with a woman beater. We told her she could stay here a couple of days and then we will take her to her grandmother's which is about 5 miles north of us.

I spoke to the school today and they said I was the first ever in the school district to ask for a personal curriculum. They are working on it she said and I explained what I had in mind and she said she will get back with me in a couple of days. She was very nice. I think one of the problems may be one of the principals but I don't see as him really being a policy maker. I have a sheet about a group called Cause that has advocates that are available to me and I plan to call them if I even get a hint that I will have any trouble. Or do you think I should anyway, just for back up? Maybe I will call tomorrow anyway. Bobi I have no idea what the 504 is. Maybe you should give me an idea.

My son failed the math course this summer. We knew he would.

Well it is late so I am going.

Have a good night all.

Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. It safeguards that a child with a disability has equal access to a free and appropriate education by making sure that they are given accommodations and modifications.

That said, a 504 does not require the school to give the child an individualized educational program (IEP - which is designed to meet the child's disability and unique needs) To sum it up a 504 does not have as many procecdural safeguards as do the IDEA plans. (IEP)

A 504 works if there are a few tweaks that need to be done in order to keep the child mainstreamed and not using the special education resources in order to keep them in school.

What options does your son need to give him the same opportunity to graduate as the other kids? Do you have a list? Has the school set up a meeting, requested documentation, or given you anything to sign? How long ago did you request that this plan be created and implemented, and was it in writing or verbally?

If you get your county/state info to me I can get you a list of agency's available to help through the entire process as well.

Hi Bobi, I just finally talked to someone yesterday. She is the new Director of Special Services at my son's school. She said that they were making up a basic outline of what kind of things would be available for my son.

His last IEP meeting was in early spring of '08. The only special class he was taking was Study skills. They were making teachers aware of his disability and that was about it. He did not want or need any special education classes because he is capable of doing the work just not in that kind of setting.

He is enrolled in a special program through the school that allows him to take a class off campus at the Skill Center that is 2 1/2 hours that he is looking forward to, it is Video Production. (nothing to do with special education) I also want him to test out of a class he failed that he was to take over summer but we know he can pass. I want him to be able to possibly take classes at home online but so far they are telling me if they are available on campus then he can't. HIs biggest problem seems to be that he is incapable of functioning in that kind of setting. He is tired or distracted, bored, impatient, unfocused, just too long to try to sit in a chair and pay attention. If it weren't for his wanting to go to the Skill Center so badly I would maybe try strictly online homeschooling maybe. I am no good at math though and that is a bad one for him. He will have to go to school for that or something.

I have been trying to get in contact with someone for a couple of weeks but because everyone is in and out or transferring then they are not getting my messages. I just got lucky with my call yesterday. There is no meeting set up yet. They will call me soon to set something up. I do have a group called Cause's phone number and had considered calling them to get an idea of what to do.

I am in Flint, Michigan, Genesee County

Thanks Bobi, I really appreciate it.

Step 1: Call your son's Pdoc and have him compose a letter stating that the classroom setting is limiting your son's ability to successfully utilize his education. Have him suggest the online courses; even if they are offered at the school.

Regardless of whether or not they offer the same classes in person - if he is unable to participate in them at his grade level ability then alternative placement and accomodations are legally required to be made. To put it bluntly, it doesn't make a dang bit of difference if they do not normally allow a child to take an online class that is offered at the school because every child is entitled, as dictated by federal law, to a free and appropriate education. A classroom that he cannot succeed in is not appropriate, and you having to pay for alternative placements is not free. Therefore - the school, reguardless of their "normal" protocol, would have to allow an alternate placement.

Step 2: Type up a letter requesting a meeting, and put it in the letter that you have requested this meeting several times in person, and site the date (or approximate date) as well as the person's name you were speaking with. Put in the letter a summary of what you would like discussed, and request that any documentation that will need to be signed be immediatly forwarded to you so as not to delay things once the meeting is scheduled. (This gives you a chance to contact your advocate and have them explain any paperwork the school will send you)

Step 3: Contact:
Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, Inc. (MPAS)
Lansing (517) 487-1755 | TOLL FREE 1-800-288-5923
http://www.mpas.org/HomePage.asp
This is some of the services (and i mean SOME, they have a TON!!!) that they offer:

PAIMI: Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness
The Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) program serves people labeled mentally ill. PAIMI staff provide information and referral, and advocacy services to ensure proper treatment. Services also include investigation of alleged abuse and neglect issues, and addressing systemic issues that may improve the care and treatment for all people with mental illness in Michigan.

Special Education - Advocacy and Information
MPAS provides a variety of advocacy information and services related to disability issues in Special Education. For more information call: 1-800-288-5923 or 517-487-1755

You are actually quite lucky to be living there! Your state dedicates quite a bit of funding towards non profit org.'s for people with mental disabilities. Call the above numbers tomorrow and explain your situation. I spoke with Michigan Protection & Advocacy Services today (number above) and he was chomping at the bit to talk to you!

Hope this helps a bit. Let me know if you need anything.
Bobi

PS
This is very similar to the counsil that I was chair for for several years. They are looking for people in your area - and is is an EXCELLENT way to network to recieve ANY services you, your son, and your family could use. They pay you to attend the 6 meetings a year and offer insite into your world and voice what areas need improving or creating for your state reguarding mental health. They also reimburse travel costs and child care costs. here is the link. read it and give them a call as well!
http://www.mpas.org/AdvocacyServices.asp?TOPIC=10888