My son is a freshman in high school and is enrolled in an IB program. In late February we found out that besides his ADHD,he is also dyslexic. Through his 504 we were able to make some changes to help him, including the option of having his tests read to him. This change has helped immensely and he has gone up 2 grades in 9 weeks.
Today the school told us that they did not know if they could continue to give my son oral tests due to the costs.
I thought once it was in the 504 plan, the school was required to follow through. My son’s guidance counselor has been less than encouraging and has suggested we transfer him to another school or have him drop out of the IB program. ANy hints?
Thanks
Re: Dyslexia and oral tests
IDEA is a federal mandate working with a lawyer that specializes in IDEA litigation might help. Many times an official letter to the school district is all that is needed- write letters to the superintedent too. Drop the program as a last resort not first.
Re: Dyslexia and oral tests
You might remind them that oral testing is also much cheaper than a lawsuit! Sometimes if you just quote the law it’s enough to get their attention.
What’s an IB program?
Legally, you’re right — they are required to deal with the disability and not discriminate against him by failing to provide reasonable accommodations such as oral testing.
However, since laws don’t include the money to make them happen, schools don’t always follow the laws.
What exactly is it costing them? If you cn figure out a way for them to incorporate this into their “system” so it fits, then it will open the door for other kids to get this accommodation too (and until they figure out how to teach our kids to read, there will be kids needing that accommodation). You may have to convince them that it will cost them less (especially time) to figure out a way to do this without straining their infrastructures than it will to figure out a way to make their program work for kids with dyslexia.