Thread: Modified Instruction

Welcome!

It really depends on what you need to modify, and why.

Let's get some more information:

Is this strictly a parent request?

Is this child new to your school? If not, have you investigated his/her history with previous teachers?

Does your school have some sort of "Student Study Team" provisions to meet with other teachers, parents, etc. to address problems? If so, have you had a meeting?

Does the child have an IEP or qualify for any special services?

What exactly do you need to modify, and why?

More info!

I'll try to be brief...it is a long, involved story.
This student has been a struggling reader at our school since last year in first grade. First day of school mom informed me that he was put on meds for attention, that last year's teacher said he finished at grade level, but that she did not believe it. I assessed him in various ways, and he was, at that time, at least 6 months below reading level. I began modifiying his work as follows: Intervention Reader ( stories that coincide with our reading books, but at a lower reading level) for guided reading, in school tutoring program 3 days a week, a parent/former second grade teacher works with him one day a week, partner reading, and activities as a whole class. In other words, none of his work was ever done independently.
Even with all this, his grades in all reading work were "N"
I had to convince mom ( a teacher, by the way, who works for our district)
to allow me to put in for an SST. While waiting for this to be scheduled, report cards came out for the first quarter...she went balistic with the "N" in comprehension and applying reading skills. She doesn' agree on me putting an "N" on these, if I have been modifiying.
So I have questioned my team, and they said that if the modified work is still "N" work, they do put an "N" on the report card... special ed does not. They said that if he's doing the best he can, the grade should not be an "N". I did give him a satisfactory grade for effort!
She claims that the things I have done are not modifications. Please help!

Okay...mom's a teacher. Does she think he has a learning disability that would qualify him for resource/special ed/title I services? Are those the kinds of modifications she wants? Or does she want classroom instruction modified further?

Does the SST see a need to assess for a learning disability? Is he still on meds? Does he have an attention problem?

Some things to start with:

For attention...seated in a place with fewer distractions, and easy access to redirect frequently. Set up some signals with the boy to redirect from across the room if necessary. A possible quiet spot removed from the class for some work; not as punishment, but as support for trying to complete work and do a good job. A possible daily contract; I've used many over the years, usually customized to the individual's needs.

What's his reading problem? Decoding? Comprehension? Both? Have you, by any chance, done a running record with him?

Have you modified his assessments as well as the classwork he's doing?

Modifications should directly address whatever difficulty he is having, and assessments should match those modifications.

Sorry, more questions! But...if mom is a teacher, she surely knows about the current demands to meet standards, and she must know what services are available. I'd turn this one back to the SST, and ask them to recommend modifications. Mom can attend the meeting to give input, and whatever is decided, it won't fall back on you. It's a team decision.

As far as the grade goes, perhaps the SST could spin it this way: What does Johnny need to do to improve his grade on the next report card, and how can we help him achieve that goal?

Thanks Kelley! I have done All the modifications you suggested, and more. Mom agreed to the SST, however, "I don't want to hear my child could have a dissability".
We have not had the SST yet. Her biggest complaint right now is that if I have been modifying his work, his grade on the report cart should not be and "N'. To her this grade "I gave him" makes him look retarded. She wants the grade changed, or she feels she will need to contact a lawyer! What am I dealing with here? I have all his work copied...his grade averages to an "N".
My principal has also beed getting two-three phone calls a day from her. She is supporting me...thank goodness.
I am to the point of giving in, and changing the grade, just to stop the phone harrassment!

I'm glad your principal is supporting you. It appears that the mother has an agenda, and is determined to steamroller right over the facts to achieve it. Her agenda is probably not about you; it is probably about, in her mind, advocating for her child. And using everything she knows to achieve the goal. The goal seems to be the problem. More about what mark a child gets than what learning is occurring and how to help the child achieve. She probably doesn't really want more modification; she just wants the modifications already done to justify a different grade.

In the end, the decision is yours. If you stick to your guns, you might see if your union will provide you with some legal advice/representation.

It's a hard choice at this point. It would make your life easier to just give in and change the grade. Successfully threatening/browbeating you into changing the grade would also teach this parent that such tactics work, and set the stage for more confrontations to come.

Good luck!