ADVICE NEEDED! School Para Is Not Helping Student in Classes

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Question: I really need advice. My son is a freshmen who’s supposed to be in a self contained classroom. He only leaves the class for electives. Which a para is supposed to go and help him. The art teacher has told him he’s going to fail the class for not doing the work. My son tells me daily that the para doesn’t help him she socializes with the art teacher. The schools stance is that he’s not applying himself n doing the work even with” help” from the para. — feeling frustrated.

Answers:

Brandy E. I would do a surprise visit to that class to see first hand what is going on.
Kristen T. Any and ALL accommodations and modifications listed in his IEP should be also followed in electives. Step one read to find out exactly what those are, extra time on assignments, modified curriculum etc. No way should a self contained student be failing art! Nexr request a special review to modify the IEP to reflect any specific concerns in art – find out exactly what he needs in regards to support while in electives and have that need explicitly defined and described in the IEP. Be specific what the Para should be doing to assist how he will be graded compared to same age non-disabled peers and in what way instructions will be delIvered. talk to your son about behavior and participation in electives, if the school wants they can push to remove him from electives but thst violates Least Restrictive Environment so don’t let them make that decision for you. Best of luck and if all else fails get an advocate to attend an IEP special meeting with you.
Charity R. Can you do an in class observation? Or maybe is another teacher could do the observation so the para didn’t realize they were being observed? Obviously they won’t display the same behavior if they know that they are being observed.
Jessica P. What are the main things he needs to do for art? If they can modify math, art can certainly be modified to fit his needs.
Clarence P. Take it to the PRINCIPAL. They need more One-on-one teaching. With special Ed!
Sherry B.I would call an IEP meeting with the para invited. I would want to know SPECIFICALLY what did the para do to assist your son in his work. If she/he is assisting him how is is failing? Maybe the para needs training on how to effectively assist someone, which I would suggest if necessary at the IEP or request someone who could effectively assist him. I also would have a separte meeting with the art teacher. Ask how he is doing in the class, what can he do better, how is the para with him in class, what does she/he do to assist him. I would do this meeting before the IEP.
Paula B. Those advocating surprise visits…That won’t necessarily be allowed. Visits usually require advanced notice and principal approval. Think about school security and safety issues and you can understand why a surprise visit isn’t allowed. I would start with the child’s special education teacher and then call an IEP meeting to discuss concerns. Include the principal and ask him/her to observe the class periodically. If that still doesn’t help, move on to the school district’s head of special education and the superintendent.
Angela S. I agree, I would drop in for a visit during that class then take up the matter with the school board, what is the person getting paid for if shes not helping the child?
HeidiMarie G. Time to take a day off work & observe the para… at least for art class. I know this is frustrating to have to do but clearly the teacher & para ARE forgetting what their JOB is!!!
Beth-Ann B. ask for a PDA a positive behavior assessment by a neutral observer to see what is going on in the class and how the school can support your son better as a learner
Naisha M. After I make a class observation I would put my concerns in writing to the entire Iep team. This way your concerns are documented
Christianna F. I’m a special ed student. I saw some of the comments saying that you should do a surprise visit. I would not have you in particular do the surprise visit I would have someone else because if your the one that shows up things might change because they know who you are so she would probably change for that particular time.
Kristina M. Having been in the field of behavior support at the school district level for almost 10 years, it’s so unfortunate to say that very rarely are para’s appropriately informed of goals, bips, specific strategies regarding students. I would request an IEP where the Para attends and a specific plan can be developed for art specific support. See if you can gets the support he needs i.e., self check list, activity schedule, class expectations written into supplementary services page on as needed basis. Good luck! !!###
Kelly R. Observe, observe, observe. Leave, then come back an hour later.They won’t expect you twice in one day. Do it again and again… If no results, call a Team meeting and come up with a different plan.
Keri P. Call the district…asap…talk to the higher up…a,para needs to do their job…or they need to find him a
Kris W. Call for an IEP meeting and get all your thoughts stated for the IEP.
Allison I.Surprise visit !
Heidi G. Call for an emergency IEP…opt for a new para for the reasons you have stated.
Rebecca G. One of the paras in my class just socializes with the electives teachers. I am getting so fed up with this. Make friends, sure, but….
Mary Kay F. Call for an IEP meeting immediately. The work schould be accomadated to his needs, and ask the para exactly what she is doing to help your son.

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