There are some mornings- some days- where I shake my head and just don't even know what to say. This would be one of those days.
Jack is a Freshman this year.So far, the year has gone pretty swimmingly. Grades are A's and B's, there have been no calls home, he's only had one missing assignment (and it was turning in a form for a class about safety). I haven't heard a peep about problems on the bus, either. All in all, it's been good. Then there are these moments that I just can't believe.
The PSAT is today, and per the email from the school,
Notice that nowhere in that statement does it say the following:
1.) If you have extended time accommodations, you cannot leave after you take the test. (All other students may leave at 12:30, if they have permission).
2.) If you have extended time accommodations, and you leave early, your test will not be scored.
SO. Plainly, you can see where I'm headed with this. The email sent out by the principal made no mention of these facts, as I've just learned them this morning. That is AFTER sending my 15 year old to school with no packed lunch. The email did have an online form for parents to give permission for their children to leave at 12:30, if they have finished early. (Whatever "early" is). I filled it out, and then because it was done the morning of, I emailed his Intervention Specialist to make sure she knew that I did so. I receive a text asking if I got her email (which was in reply to my heads up), stating that Jack could NOT leave school. Not the District's rule, but the SAT's.
She claims she only just found out about it. So, are you telling me that the SAT only just came up with this? You've been an I.S. for how long, in a high school where special needs kids take the PSAT/SAT/etc., and you were only just told this? I find that pretty hard to believe. I also find it hard to fathom why you would then choose to tell Jack this at school, and not send ME the information. Jack went to school with instructions to meet up with his sister when he was done with his test, have her text me when and where to meet them, and never once did he say a word. NEVER rely on kids to tell their parents this shit. It doesn't work well for NT kids, and it sure as hell doesn't work well for ASD kids. I don't care how high functioning they are!
Then I have to wonder.. why in God's green earth is the SAT (are they a company? Whatever.. entity) penalizing special needs kids if they're done with their test on time?? (Again, what is "on time"? By lunch?). My son does have accommodations. This does not mean that he needs them. So, if he doesn't need extra time, he not only can't leave the school (but has to sit around in the cafeteria for "quiet time" until school gets out), but his PRACTICE SAT will not even be graded. THAT is wrong. PERIOD.
Needless to say, I've said these same things to not only the I.S., but to the principal of the school. Sure, she can't change the SAT rules, but she can sure as hell make sure that all parents are receiving this information in her email that she sends out about the testing day. It's a huge disservice not to do so. (I've also emailed the service coordinator, who will no doubt be interested in finding out if this is some type of discrimination). Jack will be irritated that he can't leave, as well as freaked that he doesn't have a packed lunch. The nice thing is that his I.S. has offered to buy him a lunch, but it's still a clusterf*ck, IMO. I'm going to be highly irritated if this is a thing for ALL state testing in high school.
Jack is a Freshman this year.So far, the year has gone pretty swimmingly. Grades are A's and B's, there have been no calls home, he's only had one missing assignment (and it was turning in a form for a class about safety). I haven't heard a peep about problems on the bus, either. All in all, it's been good. Then there are these moments that I just can't believe.
The PSAT is today, and per the email from the school,
Accommodated testing (504 plans and IEPs) may last as long as 5 hours, if your extended time results in 2 days worth of testing you will be notified of your day 2 testing location prior to the close of day 1. Please plan for a sacked lunch if you have accommodated testing.
Notice that nowhere in that statement does it say the following:
1.) If you have extended time accommodations, you cannot leave after you take the test. (All other students may leave at 12:30, if they have permission).
2.) If you have extended time accommodations, and you leave early, your test will not be scored.
SO. Plainly, you can see where I'm headed with this. The email sent out by the principal made no mention of these facts, as I've just learned them this morning. That is AFTER sending my 15 year old to school with no packed lunch. The email did have an online form for parents to give permission for their children to leave at 12:30, if they have finished early. (Whatever "early" is). I filled it out, and then because it was done the morning of, I emailed his Intervention Specialist to make sure she knew that I did so. I receive a text asking if I got her email (which was in reply to my heads up), stating that Jack could NOT leave school. Not the District's rule, but the SAT's.
She claims she only just found out about it. So, are you telling me that the SAT only just came up with this? You've been an I.S. for how long, in a high school where special needs kids take the PSAT/SAT/etc., and you were only just told this? I find that pretty hard to believe. I also find it hard to fathom why you would then choose to tell Jack this at school, and not send ME the information. Jack went to school with instructions to meet up with his sister when he was done with his test, have her text me when and where to meet them, and never once did he say a word. NEVER rely on kids to tell their parents this shit. It doesn't work well for NT kids, and it sure as hell doesn't work well for ASD kids. I don't care how high functioning they are!
Then I have to wonder.. why in God's green earth is the SAT (are they a company? Whatever.. entity) penalizing special needs kids if they're done with their test on time?? (Again, what is "on time"? By lunch?). My son does have accommodations. This does not mean that he needs them. So, if he doesn't need extra time, he not only can't leave the school (but has to sit around in the cafeteria for "quiet time" until school gets out), but his PRACTICE SAT will not even be graded. THAT is wrong. PERIOD.
Needless to say, I've said these same things to not only the I.S., but to the principal of the school. Sure, she can't change the SAT rules, but she can sure as hell make sure that all parents are receiving this information in her email that she sends out about the testing day. It's a huge disservice not to do so. (I've also emailed the service coordinator, who will no doubt be interested in finding out if this is some type of discrimination). Jack will be irritated that he can't leave, as well as freaked that he doesn't have a packed lunch. The nice thing is that his I.S. has offered to buy him a lunch, but it's still a clusterf*ck, IMO. I'm going to be highly irritated if this is a thing for ALL state testing in high school.
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