choosing a district & meet up times

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What I'd also like to find out is what percentage of children are on the scholarship. I would assume a large percentage in a district would be indicative of a district's lack of appropriate programming. Of course all districts are different and all our kids needs are different; however, I think you can get a general "flavor" of a district's willingness and their current programming. My son is in the moderate-mild range, thus making placing him in "no-man's land" in regard to an appropriate placement. I'm not sure I want him fully included--not sure that would be his LRE. In regards to meeting, friday night or sunday would also work best for me. My husband also works late, so any weekend times are best for us. You could email to the group or you could email me or offline with where you are

coming from so we could best plan a more central meeting place.Thanks!AmyFrom: ajaymcp2000 <jaelmck-craigslist@...>Subject: [ ] Re: solon schools & choosing a district Date: Friday, September 26, 2008, 9:25 AM

Becky & Suzanne,

Thanks for your response on how you went about choosing your district

and how trying to get the "best" for your child's is an ongoing

process that will last the entire length of your child's education

(possibly life).

Becky: I never thought to look at the IEP percentage rates and

changes in that number. I will have to start looking at that. I also

didn't think to ask districts for written info in advance of a visit;

I think it can be telling (who really responds and who just gives the

bare minimum..)** *ALSO, I did just wanted to clarify your school

district.. you mentioned "here", did you mean Ohio or Solon? Or some

other district?***

Suzanne: I think what I am looking for when trying to choose

the "right" district is not necessarily a guarantee that all will go

well K-12 (though that would be nice! ha ha) but the hope that the

schools current administration is truly interested and motivated in

helping children on IEPs. I have heard quite a few stories of

districts whose main goal seemed to be to provide the least amount of

support possible. My main goal is to avoid those. Yes, that doesn't

mean that each year will go well, or each teacher or each IEP team

will be helpful, but I am hoping that I am increasing my odds (though

my husband and I are starting to think about throwing a dart at a map

at this point, ha ha!). But of course, you are right... nothing will

substitute for parental monitoring. I thank you for the specific

advice you gave on how to go about that and the specific behaviors to

watch for. With my son just being in Pre-K now, I have a LOT to learn

and I am grateful for everyone who shares the benefit of their

experience with me.

Janice

> > >

> > > We are new to the boards and are very interested in

> > this topic. We

> > have a

> > > little one on the spectrum that is receiving his

> > preschool

> > services through our

> > > Board of MRDD. (that tells you right there that we

> > were fortunate

> > enough to

> > > have something appropriate in place for him THERE,

> > through our

> > school

> > > district-but not in the school district; we are very

> > concerned

> > about what happens

> > > once he is in elementary school!). We are looking

> > for a school

> > district on the

> > > west side or southwest area...and would welcome a

> > chance to get

> > together

> > > with other parents like us who are trying to move

> > forward with

> > gathering

> > > information and getting to the appropriate people. I

> > think this

> > would be so helpful

> > > for many of us who have children of all ages whose

> > needs are not

> > being met in

> > > their current placements.. .perhaps we could find a

> > place to meet,

> > like a

> > > room at a rec center or a meeting room at Panera or

> > at a library?

> > We have a NT

> > > child who is older in elementary so this is a

> > pain-staking

> > decision...we do

> > > not want to uproot him but at the same time want to

> > either make

> > the best of

> > > our situation OR find another district that would

> > meet the needs

> > of both of our

> > > boys that may be a bit more willing to work with our

> > son who has

> > ASD. Feel

> > > free to email us offline.

> > >

> > > Jill and Mike

> > >

> > >

> > >

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>