Remote Learning Without Their Accommodations

[Eliza76]

If your child has a 504 plan or an IEP, how has their school worked with it during remote learning? My 12 yr old had a very tough time when schools closed this past year. He has a tendency to argue any help or advice offered at home. I have spoken with his guidance counselor and school psychologist about my concerns for the next school year but they are in a “we have to see what happens in the fall” mode. I am trying to be proactive knowing what the experience was from March-June. Thank you

[Onthemove1971]

I know that having a scheduled zoom session with him and a teacher for checkin and reviewing what work needs to be turned in can help a lot. They could also review what he is doing right and what he is struggling with.

If a teacher were assigned to help him they could also have access to his electronic work (we use Google drive) to see what he needs to turn in. It helps to have someone over seeing his work.

We also take advantage of extended time and audiobooks.

I know our son will be taking Spanish in fall so I started him on that this summer so it will.be much eaiser for him.

I also looked to see what novels are read next year and we are reading them.rhis summer.

Good luck!

[anirush]

We had a terrible time last Spring. Had one in middle school and 1 high school, Most work got done in the evening when I could supervise. But they're talking about having online learning from August 10th until September 7 where they will actually log into a class. They're both are in high school now which starts at 7:30 in the morning.

I have already asked to speak to the special ed reps, still waiting to hear from them.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to anirush]

I hope in fall it will be much eaiser for you, grades will start in fall. Not credit ni credit.

[MIgirlie]

I am in the same boat. Have a 14 and 17 year old both with 504s but the virtual learning was awful. They felt no accountability and without a set schedule it did not work. I have to try and think of what can be done and n the fall that may help as they will both be in high school now.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to MIgirlie]

Contact your 504 coordinator they must help!

[Goofy1]

Helping kids with accommodations is something that is Evolving. My son (11) was arguing and not doing any work in the beginning. I spoke to his teacher and she started a math group. There he was able to work with the teacher and get the lesson and some of the work done. For writing he met once a week with a learning specialist. She didn't know what to do with him at first so I asked if she could just help with all the writing his teacher was giving out. She was able to coordinate with the teacher and access his assignments on Google classroom so when they met she helped him get work done and understand concepts. He also met once a week with his speech and counselor together. This worked out well to have them both meet with him at the same time. My son's teacher also had office hours for kids to come with questions or help.

As far accountability goes to get assignments done. We did the best we could. He might not have finished all of his math problems but he understood the ones he did get done. I guess the focus was quality not quantity, especially on difficult days. I did look at his Google classroom daily assignments every morning. He had to show he did work before he could play video games in thre afternoon. This is easily checked even if you are not home as long af you have access to his Google classroom. I also have apps that control the internet and his phone.

My biggest problem with virtual school was that he would have a messaging program running on another tab during induction time. It made it almost impossible for him to get information he needed. I am still not sure how to handle that. It is why he ended up going to math group so maybe just a reminder of that. Best of luck!

[Harnessinghope]

My daughter has a 504 plan. As far as I am aware, there was no assistance offered. I say it that way, because I wonder if they possibly tried to implement in a way that I was not notified about.

Learning, accountability for learning, accountability for work done was all handled by me. It was exhausting (working full-time, part-time and performing in this additional role).

I applaud you for being proactive to ask the question in advance. I am also in “wait and see” mode.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Harnessinghope]

I would recommend you contact the person who wrote the 504 plan and ask if you can get some support. Most of the staff is bring paid to work with kids.

Good luck!

[Eliza76 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thank you. I did in the beginning of June (the psychologist is in charge of the Special Ed department that handles the plans.) So I’ll be asking her again. I appreciate the advice! Thanks again!

[penn_adhd]

Sounds like my 7 year old only we don't have a Section 504 yet because he was diagnosed on the Friday before everything shutdown. The school asked what they could do, but I don't even know what to tell them at this point. Researching what to do about a Section 504 and what to even put on it for him has been on my to-do list though I admit I shoved it down a ways on the list for the summer, but now it is closing in.

[penn_adhd]

The school psychologist has only contacted me in e-mails I've CC'd her in. She says ADHD, or at least recommending therapists, is outside the realm of a school psychologist. There is an intervention specialist at his school, but he'll be online this fall.