The Answer - A blog about Education, Preparation, and Commitment.

Do my students qualify for special ed?

August 26, 2010 by Jeremy Jones

Dear Learning Lab,

There is a new student in my class who is taking longer to get adjusted than their classmates. They are having trouble staying organized, following directions, and completing classwork and homework. I’ve been working closely with them, but progress is very slow. Could they qualify for Special Ed?

Overwhelmed Olivia

Dear Overwhelmed,

All students go through an adjustment period at YES Prep. It is difficult to manage all of our systems and expectations right off the bat! But if you have noticed that this student is continuing to struggle after other students seem well-adapted, here are some suggestions for you:

 Pair the student with a responsible buddy to help with note-taking and filling in their agenda.

 Have an organizational check-in each morning during homeroom/advisory to ensure the student is prepared for the day.

 Check in with the student at the end of the day to make certain all of their homework is written down correctly and all directions are understood.

 Accommodate material as appropriate (shorten assignments, scaffold/review, etc. Reach out to the Learning Lab staff for additional support).

Be sure to notify your grade-level of the student of concern to ensure interventions are consistently reinforced, and so you can document your efforts. The Learning Lab staff can also do some sleuthing to see if any new students have a history of special education.

Keep up the GREAT work!

The Learning Lab Staff

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