This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
IEP Cop-out
Am I the only one who thinks a lot of students use their IEP as a cop-out to get away with bad behavior and laziness? I assigned new groups in all my classes Monday when we came back from spring break. Today two girls got into a mild argument while doing a test review worksheet in their group. I took the two out into the hall away from the audience. One of them has a perpetual bad attitude. Out in the hall Miss Bad Attitude proceded to informed me she could not work in that group because she had anger management problems and would get in a fight if she remained in that group. (The emphasis was hers. I wish I could show you the body language that went with the words, but I'm sure you have seen it before.) Since this was eight minutes before the bell, I told her to go to her seat and do the worksheet on her own until the end of class. She informed me that I had to put her in a new group that she could work in, now! Her reason was that she couldn't work by herself because she works best in a group. She informed me that if I would read her IEP I would know all that stuff about her. I told her that I had read her IEP several times and that I would put her in another work group but not right now,so close to the bell. She informed me that she would send her case worker to tell me a thing or two. I said I would love to talk to her case worker. She informed me that I couldn't because the case worker is out on maternity leave. She still wanted to argue but I simply walked back into the classroom. You know, "It takes two to argue," so I ended it just like I am ending this blog.
Hi Joyce,
ReplyDeleteI feel your "pain" big time. I spend too many mornings sitting at IEP meetings feeling that I am there only because they need my signature on a piece of paper. I talk with the parents/student and the feeling is that things are getting better. Later that day I see the same student in class and they inform me that they're behaving this way because "their medication has worn off". It is a "cop-out". Call me old-fashioned, but when I was in high school, there were learning disabilitites, but no one tried to "milk it"...... so a child had to work hard, instead of using "state provided" excuses. I know this doesn't offer any resolutions, but, I know where you're coming from. Take care.
You are right, a soft answer turns away wrath. (In your case a silent answer) While students may have modifications due to emotional or behavioral disorders, nowhere is laziness classified as a disability. And I am sure that this student's IEP did not read "The student is to ALWAYS work in a group. The student is NEVER to work alone."
ReplyDeleteI suppose Miss Bad Attitude "sucked" her teeth when she was dictating to you what you were and were not going to do. It's quite a common attitude which is very difficulty to adjust much less cure.
I too understand your frustration, I have delt with this same type situation. I think you handled that perfect. Don't argue... just walk away!
ReplyDeleteHi Joyce,
ReplyDeleteWhile I have had some students try to milk the system, it's been my experience that many of the kids don't want the modifications because they don't want to get singled out or appear different in front of their friends and other students. Thankfully I haven't had too many IEP students this year, but I think you handled the situation just fine.
Joyce,
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain also. My problem with sp ed. IEP's is that I don't see the caseworker until we have a parent conference meeting. Kids in my class are open with discussing their IEP's. We can starts on something and I forget the kid modification they'll stand up and shout across the room That I forgot their modification. I don't want to embrasses the student. I would ignor the student until I got to him/her. then we would make the adjustment. I don't believe that some kids do use IEP's as an excuse. What they really need is a good ole fashion a$# beaten. That would stop some of the behavior problem.