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Reading Struggles

mollyc said:
What happened after you moved?
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Simply, after we moved, everything slowly started turning around. We were actually getting a response.

We moved in the middle of second grade. By third grade, we were in discussions/IRS&S meetings, we were getting an actual response and so much good feedback from teachers and counselors. We were all working together. By the end of 3rd grade, he was being tested for learning issues, our doctors were being contacted, we were visiting school doctors, and eventually an IEP was in place before 4th grade started.

Since that time, he has done a true 180 - actual learning, grades, attitude, and confidence. He went from being a broken student, to one that is now working towards honor roll. Seeing him in action is actually the best part - learning his weaknesses, working around them, asking for help, finding solutions and now, never saying that he is stupid. That last one broke my heart.

I didn't give up, nor would I have, but I was in a corner many times, ready and feeling like waving that white flag. Seeing him now is validation - I 'm over the moon happy I never gave up, but when you are in that corner, ugh. It's hard.
 
@ jk703 Jenn, So did you find that the teachers/administrators just were not receptive to your concerns at your original location? It seems based on your comments that it was actually more than the move that helped, although that was a large contributing factor.

It just seems like from the OP's responses that no one is actually listening to her, which is why I suggested looking outside the school. You were lucky in that you were able to find someone at your new school to listen, and while moving is certainly a very drastic move, it was the catalyst for change. Not everyone can afford that. I just really feel based on the information that has been relayed here by the OP that she needs to push harder for a diagnosis of some part. Yes, there are kids who are lazy, and yes, there are kids who just aren't bright and will never be the straight-A student. But I also think that with parent and teacher involvement, even "not bright" students can do well. I just really feel that there is some sort of undiagnosed learning disability that could be helped if only it was discovered. I don't know *how* do go about getting that diagnosed, other than reaching out to specialists who aren't necessarily at the school.

Which is perhaps much easier said than done. :/
 
There are some amazing charter schools (academically) in the area; unfortunately they're very hard to get into. Students that have siblings that go to them have top priority in getting in, then you're stuck on a waiting list and it's done "lottery" style, but I don't truly believe it's a fair lottery...seems to be a more of who you know/rub elbows with, and your financial status, your child will get in quicker and easier than someone who doesn't rub elbows.

Your child may get in before school starts, it could be shortly there after and anytime in between. Seeing that she'll be starting 5th grade in August, I don't know how she would adjust if she had to switch mid year to a whole new school, with all new kids, new rules and a uniform. I remember moving to the Valley from Flagstaff the summer between 5th and 6th grades and I had nothing but resentment towards by parents, especially my dad, because it was his job that moved us down here. I had never been bullied until I stated school down here, and while I hate to judge, the similarities between the parents and children where we moved to, and those that I encounter either in-person or in different community groups on FB, are eerily the same and I do worry about her being bullied and excluded. She's more on the sensitive side when it comes to having a thick skin.
 
@mollyc For us, it was a combo. I was following the suggestions of the teachers and counselors at the old school, and asking for meetings to discuss his learning issues, but they weren't responsive at all. We had tutors, tried Huntington Learning Center (the estimate to work with my son at the time was over $9k!) for a trial period, after school help, and extra "little things" at home to help. I had to seek out my own doctors and the school didn't even listen at that point. We finally decided that we would just move - literally 3 miles away.

As soon as I got to the new district, I was a bit on the offensive. Probably more than I should have been, oh well. I was at that point. I met with his teachers and the VP, discussed his issues, doctor's findings, and how the move might affect him. That put in place at the very least an observance of him. Then it snowballed, eventually, in a good way. It still took over a year and a half to get the IEP.

Yes.... you have to advocate for your child, and what that child needs. If you don't, then you are right, nothing will change, get better or magically fix itself. I agree, always much easier to say/plan, than to actually do.
 
I just saw a post about kids reading to shelter animas. Is there something your daughter likes, dogs or cats, that maybe she could look into for reading to them? Does she like little kids? Maybe she could read to them and the books would be easier.
 
my son is 13 and we are still struggling. it's awful. he tests well he just does not like to read. we've tried every genre. he's just not intersted in anything but socializing with his friends.
 
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