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Special Education Teachers Chatboard

Free student books for struggling readers!

by Ryan Foster

Oct 25, 2015

I'm running a campaign to provide a set of FREE student books to teachers who work with students who struggle with reading. The books are from an excellent program that works wonders with children who have difficulty learning to read. Full details are at the Indiegogo campaign site: [link removed]

Ryan Foster Sorry, that was the wrong link. It is http, not https...or you can just go here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-thousands-of- children-learn-to-read

Oct 25, 2015

Reading Intervention programs

by read res tchr

Oct 24, 2015

I have one class this year in a HS where I am supposed to simultaneously teacher READ 180 and SYSTEM 44 Reading programs. What a challenge!!

But, I saw this video about Language Alive and I wondered if anyone out there had any firsthand knowledge of how the two/ three compare. Also, is there any others like these.

Thanks so much....See More

by shad

Oct 24, 2015

shad

by jenn

Oct 22, 2015

Teachers do your paras speak to your parents about classroom behaviors or sit in during parent teacher conferences? How would you feel if one were to tell your parents that she wasn't allowed to speak to them and didn't know why? This is after you explained to her that you would prefer that they (the paras) tell parents to please see the teacher wi...See More

Kathy Our district policy is that paras do not speak to parents. However, this is difficult to enforce. My paras could give general information if a parent was picking the child up early or dropping them off late, but otherwise had to refer the parent to me. The paras were happy about the rule. I did have one who stepped over the boundaries and was remov...See More

Oct 22, 2015

Jenn At that point I would immediately go to the administration and let them know she had gone against a specific request. My IA's write in the home log about the day and specific things that the parents need to know about, but NEVER sit in on conferences, either formal or informal. I get their input prior, but they never sit in.

On 10/22/15, j...See More

Oct 23, 2015

Teacher contract not renewed, played fall guy for district

by Tarkio

Oct 21, 2015

Teacher contract not renewed, played fall guy for district I was a very good special education teacher. I worked 10- 12 hour days, I did everything required, on time, and my students loved me and improved.

When I was hired to the present teaching position, I had 2 years experience at another school and did an excellent job there as well. ...See More

view previous comments

Kathy I saw this post on another special ed site and had a couple of questions there, but didn't ask. How long have you been teaching special education? You say you did well in a previous district for two years? Were you in a different position (self-contained versus resource)? Do you have documentation of all you posted? If so, did you take it to your u...See MoreI saw this post on another special ed site and had a couple of questions there, but didn't ask. How long have you been teaching special education? You say you did well in a previous district for two years? Were you in a different position (self-contained versus resource)? Do you have documentation of all you posted? If so, did you take it to your union? Did you write rebuttals on your evaluations to address administrator concerns? Did you document para absences and the fact that you had no subs? Did you document teacher conversations denying your students inclusion/mainstreaming minutes? I find this all very suspicious. One or two problems I understand. Having problems all the way from administration, down to teachers, paras, parents, and out of control students, but not taking some of the responsibility for the issues yourself sounds unbelievable. Maybe you need to look inward to see what things you could have done differently to have improved your situation. This will help in your next postion. Kathy

On 10/21/15, sped wrote: > Well, if you want to continue on in teaching, you're probably > going to need to get better references. Maybe try to get a > long-term sub job and make friends with administrators. > > You may try moving to a locale where there is more demand. A > small college town that has hundreds of applicants is not > ideal. You were probably lucky to get the job in the first > place. > > As a sped teacher, you will probably be able to find a job > somewhere, but the question is whether you're willing to go > there. > > Are you willing to move? If you're in a small college town > flush with teachers (and probably a nice area), then it is > going to be difficult. You've basically been fired twice... > > You don't say where you are. Many urban districts are hurting > for sped teachers, and even if you've been fired a couple of > times, they will usually take you. You need to go where the > jobs are... > > Otherwise, look at going into another field not as disfunctional. > > On 10/21/15, Tarkio wrote: >> Teacher contract not renewed, played fall guy for district >> >> I was a very good special education teacher. I worked 10- >> 12 hour days, I did everything required, on time, and my >> students loved me and improved. >> >> When I was hired to the present teaching position, I had 2 >> years experience at another school and did an excellent job >> there as well. What happened? >> >> I was not tenured and was used as a fall guy for difficult >> students and parents. >> >> The school district in this small college town has 100's of >> applicants for every job because the university pumps out >> hundreds of education graduates every year, and they all >> want to stay here. >> >> The district is not desperate by any means. >> >> I was hired at the most difficult school in the district. Other >> people, straight out of school without experience, were >> hired at the "easy" special education teacher positions. >> Every one of them had a relative, or good friend's relative >> that worked in the school district. I didn't. >> >> In my position, I soon realized I had very hostile families, >> the most difficult in the district. They were constantly at >> odds with the administration before I came. >> >> On top of that, my principal went to church with the >> previous special ed teacher and wanted her back. He took >> away a full time para educator position from my class even >> though I had more students than the previous teacher, and >> I did not have enough help. He gave me 3 paras that had no >> experience with special eduaction kids, and all had a >> horrible history of insubordination to teachers they had >> worked with. These paras had almost been fired 3 times, >> each of them. These paras were absent @60 days out of >> 180 days of the school year, usually on the same day, and >> the principal did nothing. My class was in chaos because >> they were always absent on the same day, on purpose. >> >> Trouble began when the parents of one the students began >> to complain about the principal's practices of inclusion. I >> was doing my best to include, but the kindergarten teacher >> would not allow it. >> >> The principal blamed me. The parents wrote to the >> superintendent of the district about my principals lack of >> inclusion. He blamed me. >> >> He refused to come to a parent teacher conference to >> protect me. I told the parent's their daughter was refusing >> the music program because she displayed signs of sensory >> processing disorder. The parents agreed that she did not >> like loud noises, banging drums, and whiny music. >> >> The christmas program came upon us, and I sent an email >> to reiiterate what we had talked about, how their daughter >> was refusing music, and was refusing the christmas >> program. I did not go into details because we had just >> talked about it at the parent teacher conference. >> >> The parents saw this as a chance to transfer their daughter >> to the school right next to their house. They threatened to >> sue the school district. >> >> From that time on, I was treated as if I was the worst >> teacher in the world. I was forced to go to meetings where >> 20 people criticized me. I felt like it was the Salem Witch >> Trials. >> >> I stuck through the year, even though my principal did his >> best to force me to quit. He rode me on every detail, >> believed malicious gossip of my problem paras, and gave >> me a very negative evaluation (making me do it on >> Valentines day when the kids are out of sorts), when I did >> an excellent job. >> >> The principal did not renew my contract. >> >> Now I can't even get a job as a noon recess monitor. What >> should I do? Can anyone help? Thanks for reading this.

Oct 22, 2015

sped Even if he did everything you suggest Kathy, he still can be non-renewed at the end of his first year. There doesn't need to be any reason for this at all. He technically wasn't fired, after all, he was simply not offered another job the following year and he is basically working on an annual contract.

On 10/22/15, Kathy wrote: > I saw...See MoreEven if he did everything you suggest Kathy, he still can be non-renewed at the end of his first year. There doesn't need to be any reason for this at all. He technically wasn't fired, after all, he was simply not offered another job the following year and he is basically working on an annual contract.

On 10/22/15, Kathy wrote: > I saw this post on another special ed site and had a couple > of questions there, but didn't ask. How long have you been > teaching special education? You say you did well in a > previous district for two years? Were you in a different > position (self-contained versus resource)? Do you have > documentation of all you posted? If so, did you take it to > your union? Did you write rebuttals on your evaluations to > address administrator concerns? Did you document para > absences and the fact that you had no subs? Did you document > teacher conversations denying your students > inclusion/mainstreaming minutes? I find this all very > suspicious. One or two problems I understand. Having problems > all the way from administration, down to teachers, paras, > parents, and out of control students, but not taking some of > the responsibility for the issues yourself sounds > unbelievable. Maybe you need to look inward to see what > things you could have done differently to have improved your > situation. This will help in your next postion. > Kathy > > On 10/21/15, sped wrote: >> Well, if you want to continue on in teaching, you're > probably >> going to need to get better references. Maybe try to get a >> long-term sub job and make friends with administrators. >> >> You may try moving to a locale where there is more demand. > A >> small college town that has hundreds of applicants is not >> ideal. You were probably lucky to get the job in the first >> place. >> >> As a sped teacher, you will probably be able to find a job >> somewhere, but the question is whether you're willing to go >> there. >> >> Are you willing to move? If you're in a small college town >> flush with teachers (and probably a nice area), then it is >> going to be difficult. You've basically been fired twice... >> >> You don't say where you are. Many urban districts are > hurting >> for sped teachers, and even if you've been fired a couple > of >> times, they will usually take you. You need to go where the >> jobs are... >> >> Otherwise, look at going into another field not as > disfunctional. >> >> On 10/21/15, Tarkio wrote: >>> Teacher contract not renewed, played fall guy for district >>> >>> I was a very good special education teacher. I worked 10- >>> 12 hour days, I did everything required, on time, and my >>> students loved me and improved. >>> >>> When I was hired to the present teaching position, I had 2 >>> years experience at another school and did an excellent > job >>> there as well. What happened? >>> >>> I was not tenured and was used as a fall guy for difficult >>> students and parents. >>> >>> The school district in this small college town has 100's > of >>> applicants for every job because the university pumps out >>> hundreds of education graduates every year, and they all >>> want to stay here. >>> >>> The district is not desperate by any means. >>> >>> I was hired at the most difficult school in the district. > Other >>> people, straight out of school without experience, were >>> hired at the "easy" special education teacher positions. >>> Every one of them had a relative, or good friend's > relative >>> that worked in the school district. I didn't. >>> >>> In my position, I soon realized I had very hostile > families, >>> the most difficult in the district. They were constantly > at >>> odds with the administration before I came. >>> >>> On top of that, my principal went to church with the >>> previous special ed teacher and wanted her back. He took >>> away a full time para educator position from my class even >>> though I had more students than the previous teacher, and >>> I did not have enough help. He gave me 3 paras that had no >>> experience with special eduaction kids, and all had a >>> horrible history of insubordination to teachers they had >>> worked with. These paras had almost been fired 3 times, >>> each of them. These paras were absent @60 days out of >>> 180 days of the school year, usually on the same day, and >>> the principal did nothing. My class was in chaos because >>> they were always absent on the same day, on purpose. >>> >>> Trouble began when the parents of one the students began >>> to complain about the principal's practices of inclusion. > I >>> was doing my best to include, but the kindergarten teacher >>> would not allow it. >>> >>> The principal blamed me. The parents wrote to the >>> superintendent of the district about my principals lack of >>> inclusion. He blamed me. >>> >>> He refused to come to a parent teacher conference to >>> protect me. I told the parent's their daughter was > refusing >>> the music program because she displayed signs of sensory >>> processing disorder. The parents agreed that she did not >>> like loud noises, banging drums, and whiny music. >>> >>> The christmas program came upon us, and I sent an email >>> to reiiterate what we had talked about, how their daughter >>> was refusing music, and was refusing the christmas >>> program. I did not go into details because we had just >>> talked about it at the parent teacher conference. >>> >>> The parents saw this as a chance to transfer their > daughter >>> to the school right next to their house. They threatened > to >>> sue the school district. >>> >>> From that time on, I was treated as if I was the worst >>> teacher in the world. I was forced to go to meetings where >>> 20 people criticized me. I felt like it was the Salem > Witch >>> Trials. >>> >>> I stuck through the year, even though my principal did his >>> best to force me to quit. He rode me on every detail, >>> believed malicious gossip of my problem paras, and gave >>> me a very negative evaluation (making me do it on >>> Valentines day when the kids are out of sorts), when I did >>> an excellent job. >>> >>> The principal did not renew my contract. >>> >>> Now I can't even get a job as a noon recess monitor. What >>> should I do? Can anyone help? Thanks for reading this.

Oct 23, 2015

college entrance test accommodations

Oct 20, 2015

I have a student with disabilities who will be taking the entrance exam for our local community college. His mother is throwing a fit, saying that it is the school's responsibility to fill out his accommodation forms. Our counselor and administration is saying that it is the parents' responsibility (which I agree with). I was wondering if any other...See More

Test Using hindsight, the student's transition plan should have documented the need to assist the student and the parent with this process. Try to fix any future occurrences. Your communication to the parent advising them of your willingness to assist is sufficient, however. This family is securing the services of a private testing company to enter an e...See More

Oct 20, 2015

tell them to get over it No. There is no legal requirement that you do so. Many of the colleges that give similar exams at my school offers very limited accommodations and it is pretty much understood that any accommodations must be sought out by students in college. They will have no case manager in college. They better get used to it.

On 10/20/15, Paula wrote: &...See More

Oct 21, 2015

Teacher contract not renewed, fall guy for district II

by Tarkio

Oct 21, 2015

*I wanted to add to previous post. My paras had worked with Learning Disabled students in the resource room. My class was the Extended Resource/SLP (Emotionally disturbed) combined. They had no experience with kids out of the mainstream.

by Sarah

Oct 5, 2015

Who writes the IEP's in your state / school district? The SPED teacher or someone else?

In Oklahoma the SPED teacher writes the IEP's!

view previous comments

Sarah On 10/14/15, casey wrote: > Within my district the school administration decides how IEPs > are managed. In my school the teachers write the goals and > objectives and the accommodations and modifications. The PPT > chairperson (me), who has no student caseload, completes all > the paperwork for the meetings and finalizing the IEPs. ...See More

Oct 15, 2015

AM I am a parent not a teacher.

Idea 2004 doesn't forbid drafts but the commentary with the law says it is not a good idea. Drafts make parents feel as though their input doesn't count and that is agreed all the way around. It was debated on whether to actually add it as law. Tread lightly or it could be added in the future.

We fe...See MoreI am a parent not a teacher.

Idea 2004 doesn't forbid drafts but the commentary with the law says it is not a good idea. Drafts make parents feel as though their input doesn't count and that is agreed all the way around. It was debated on whether to actually add it as law. Tread lightly or it could be added in the future.

We feel that way because it is as though you have already had the discussions, made the decisions and now we have to fight to get changes made to it. We feel that way because it often IS the way.

If you do make a draft I would suggests you write in BIG red letters on EVERY copy that it is a draft. Just my suggestion to make the parents understand you clearly see it as a draft. At a min you MUST make it clear to the parents that it is a draft and changes may be made to it at the meeting. It is a starting point to the discussion not the end. That is required per

If you make a draft you need to give a copy to the parents ahead of the meeting so they have ample time to read and consider what is in it.

Commentary to law As noted in §300.306(a)(2), the public agency must provide a copy of an evaluation report and the documentation of determination of eligibility at no cost to the parent. Whether parents receive all evaluation reports before an IEP Team meeting, however, is a decision that is best left to State and local officials to determine. With respect to a draft IEP, we encourage public agency staff to come to an IEP Team meeting prepared to discuss evaluation findings and preliminary recommendations. Likewise, parents have the right to bring questions, concerns, and preliminary recommendations to the IEP Team meeting as part of a full discussion of the child’s needs and the services to be provided to meet those needs. We do not encourage public agencies to prepare a draft IEP prior to the IEP Team meeting, particularly if doing so would inhibit a full discussion of the child’s needs. However, if a public agency develops a draft IEP prior to the IEP Team meeting, the agency should make it clear to the parents at the outset of the meeting that the services proposed by the agency are preliminary recommendations for review and discussion with the parents. The public agency also should provide the parents with a copy of its draft proposals, if the agency has developed them, prior to the IEP Team meeting so as to give the parents an opportunity to review the recommendations of the public agency prior to the IEP Team meeting, and be better able to engage in a full discussion of the proposals for the IEP. It is not permissible for an agency to have the final IEP completed before an IEP Team meeting begins.

On 10/05/15, Sarah wrote: > Who writes the IEP's in your state / school district? The > SPED teacher or someone else? > > In Oklahoma the SPED teacher writes the IEP's!

Oct 15, 2015

by Allimustang

Aug 29, 2015

In your opinion is reduced or shortened tests an accommodation or a modification?

view previous comments

On 10/04/15, KT wrote: > On 8/29/15, Allimustang wrote: >> In your opinion is reduced or shortened tests an >> accommodation or a modification? > > Modification. Accommodations are things that are done for > access to education i.e. preferential seating, pencil grip, > raised line paper, larger print, extended time etc. &...See More

Oct 15, 2015

AM Changing the work being done makes it a modification.

I am not a teacher but I spent several years studying the laws. The difference is not defined by law but concensus is that modifications change the standard the work is suppose to measure such as a shortened or alternate test.

Accommodations don't change the work being measur...See More

Oct 15, 2015

Help with managing my resource room

by Erin

Oct 15, 2015

I am a special education teacher in a very small district. I am the only sped teacher in the district and have 18 students at the elementary, middle, and high schools. I find myself struggling to have any time to do anything!! Most of my paperwork is done at home in the evenings. However, the biggest problem I am facing is the workload that the gen...See More

rovarose On 10/15/15, Erin wrote: > I am a special education teacher in a very small district. > I am the only sped teacher in the district and have 18 > students at the elementary, middle, and high schools. I > find myself struggling to have any time to do anything!! > Most of my paperwork is done at home in the evenings. > However, the b...See More

Oct 15, 2015

On 10/15/15, rovarose wrote: > On 10/15/15, Erin wrote: >> I am a special education teacher in a very small district. >> I am the only sped teacher in the district and have 18 >> students at the elementary, middle, and high schools. I >> find myself struggling to have any time to do anything!! >> Most of my paperwor...See More

Oct 15, 2015

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