School wants to move him along

[81JB]

My son is a young 8th grader (September birthday-he is 13) he has AdHd and takes Vyvanse 20.

He has had and IEP since 3rd grade now has a 504 since last year.

With a large amount of home support and goal setting my son has always made honor roll and behaved tolerable. His weakness is social skills,my son has little to no friends. He has alot going for him--grades,sports,looks,material stuff that matter to teens and even a really popular older brother. NOTHING HELPS! Yes kids today are mean but honestly I get it,my son is a handful. Socially he is behind.

Where there use to be pain for acceptence has now turned to anger and violence. My son has been in several fights this past year,serious fights! He may have his issues and be a target for certain things but he is no punk(thank God) I fear it will only get worse as he enters highschool where gang activity actually is taking place.

All my sons teammates(friends) are 7th graders. Because my son birthday falls in that gap in September he can register for school early but still plays youth sports regular. My son acts like the company he keeps for the most part, 7 graders.

I requested my son be reclassed and repeat the 8th grade. Based on his immaturity(that his teachers supported in writing) and his recent fights.

The principal denied it citing my sons GPA and test scores but my sons issues have never been academic. I know this is all about money!

Im really concerned about this and know that my son is not ready for a highschool enviroment. I have the right to appeal,what should be my next move?

[Shotsymama]

Advocacy is your right and responsibility! Get back up from your sons current teachers and even his dr if you have to.

[AnnIrene]

My husband and I held our son back in first grade. The principle was against it. My sister, who is a school social worker, said that parents have the final say. Our son was held back because we demanded that he was. He is in 7th grade now and it was the best thing that could have happened for him. We live in Michigan so it could be different where you live.

[Mariafer]

My son is in 9th grade and he is 14 , he is literally the youngest . I really want him to repeat again 9th grade because of his immaturity. I really recomend you to do that with your son and give him one more year of maturity. High school is a completely different environment than middle school, the kids are more by their one,definitely more exposure to drugs and alcohol so they need maturity to said no to these things , in 9th grade most of them have or start having 15 meaning they can start driving , so in my case mine is 14 but all of his friends are driving , but he can’t and he wants to , but he is not ready in age and maturity which make him Frustrated. I think been the oldest in the classroom give them more Advantages in our cases .

[seller]

My son is now 23 and we can finally see some real maturity, but you are correct that our boys are several years behind in many areas. I would insist that your son be held back. Have your son's doctor write a letter, get additional letters from his teachers and counselors, maybe his coaches, etc. High school is very different and parents have very little control over then environment, classes, friends, etc. I wish we would have held our son back in kindergarten or first grade, but his test scores showed he was "ready", when actually he could have used another year in kindergarten.

[81JB in reply to seller]

Got my hopes up!!! Early 20s would be nice to see everything start to come full circle for my son. Im reaching out to everyone in my cirlce now who supports my decision for letters. I plan on winning this appeal or raising all out hell for the school system!