I would LOVE partial homeschooling! My state doesn't allow it.

MON:
You say that one of your options is to get outside testing to find out what he needs and then tell the school. Does that mean that you aren't sure what he needs? I'd say do the private testing if you can - don't wait around for the school to do it or to "use their expertise". They probably don't know what to do either.

After a very frustrating meeting that we had with the principal in June we decided that we had to pursue further testing. They psychologist who tested DS two years ago told us that it seemed time to reassess to get a stable measure of ability and to figure out the behaviors issues. We just don't feel that the school is giving him what he needs but yet we don't really know what he needs. Hoping to know after testing in August. Then we'll know what to ask for and whether the school can do it.

Best of luck. It would be nice to take the summer off from worrying about school stuff, wouldn't it??!

Dazey,
The state allowing for it and actually getting it to work properly are two totally different propositions........

Debbie,
Incredibly frustrating, sent you a p.m.

Oh Mon, what a disappointing meeting! Better luck next time, and be sure to document everything they promised!

Partial HS sounds like a terrific option. What states allow it?

FWIW, we are looking at sinking big bucks into testing. We'd rather spend it on things like specialized lessons, toys (and vacations!), but just don't see any way around it. We try to see it as an investment that will yield a return to our overall family quality of life for years and years to come.

MON -
This just makes me want to cry. How sad. It was bad enought when they resisted letting my 'low handwriting' boy type, but if my own son wasn't at least talking at school, I would have felt too helpless. I'm praying you get a teacher who understands.

I guess if it were me I would start the ball rolling on the SPED, just out of sheer frustrationg, and because it's the only thing that is gaureenteed to get action of some kind.

Remember that we aren't required to fix all these messes, just to do our best and try.
Grinity

Oh, how frustrating for your ds! The handwriting thing is one of my biggest pet peeves. I'd say, go with a private eval to get him the help he needs--if the school hasn't recognized and worked toward fixing the problem by now, they're unlikely to, ever.

We're lucky enough to have found a school for ds6 that does writing as a class seperate from subject work ... But that was a barrier at his public school last year that I just don't get.

Now the talking ... That's a whole seperate issue and I've got no advice, but plenty of sympathy for the situation!

Good luck, whatever you decide to do next.

Mia, it's GREAT to see you! I hope you post an update somewhere!!!

Agreed! How the heck are you?

Follow up:
After having a frustrating last year where my boy pretty much stopped trying and stopped communicating and the teacher could not see the true him, we have found new hope.
This year, his teacher tested him and found he is a good reader, that he can write if his handwriting is de-emphasized, and that his handwriting improves when given 3 lines! It feels good as a parent because that's what we were thinking too! Yet last year, school was telling us "until you can write, no reason to even consider anything else". He did get moved down yet another reading level, but this teacher recognizes his strengths and HE'S TALKING!!! The external academics are not as important as the internal kid believing in himself and beginning to challenge from within. We know he's bright, his teacher knows he is too, now he is safe to show his true self.
We see in this teacher, the one who will believe in him, who will teach him, who will restore our faith in the public school system. (a little too much responsibility?)
We expect challenges, and bumps, but are so glad to be able to "stand down". Rest, relax, take a breath and go back into our introverted nonconfrontational comfort.
And best part is that we don't feel the need any longer to submit him to outside testing which would be very stressful for him. No need to consider home school, private school, no need to search for solutions. At least for the moment, all is well. He's developing again instead of regressing. Aaaaah...