Eleventh grade son sent to delinquency school
Hello...I am new to this forum. I am having issues with my sons high school and need some advice. He is in 11th grade and already has an IEP for severely emotionally disturbed in place. He was recently moved to a school for delinquents and is required to sit in a single classroom for 6 hours without leaving. They are served lunch in the room.
One of my sons biggest triggers is boredom and being confined to small places...so he walked out. None of his behavioral supports are in place at this school. They want to move him to a county school for bad kids...which will happen over my dead body!
He was previously on home hospital through his psychiatrist. I am thinking about maybe doing that again but need some advice.
He is currently in a group home because of his situation with school. His county worker will not let me put him back on home hospital...is there a law protecting his right to education for such a thing? Traditional high school is just not working for him. His anxiety is through the roof and has a meltdown at leasy twice a week.
I am at a loss...I am in California by the way...I'm not sure if the laws differ between states.
Thank you
Patty,
Did the IEP team, which includes you, agree to move him to the school for delinquents? If they did not, then they are out of compliance. If they did, then the school is out of compliance because his behavioral supports are not in place.
I am also in California and may be able to provide you with more specific information if you are in an area I am familiar with or have contacts in. Where in California are you?
--
Beth
DH - Husband & Father
DS 16.3 - BP II, NVLD, GAD, Transgender (female to male) and gifted
Geodon 40mg AM & 60mg PM (tapering off), Prozac 10mg every other PM (tapering off) and Buspar 15mg AM/PM
In 11th grade at a small alternative hybrid competency based public high school in Northern California, with IEP for ED & SLD
I am in Apple Valley, in San Bernardino County. I was present at the IEP meeting but they presented the school in a different way than what it actually is. I have made an appointment for this Thursday, October 27th. When I called, I was told that they were considering a school for probation kids in a very bad part of Victorville... which is what prompted me to do some investigating. My son isn't and has never been in trouble with the law...let alone be on probation.
I am prepared to fight this all the way to the if necessary. I have been reading blog after blog and honestly didn't realize how many other children with bipolar disorder are struggling in school.
I really appreciate your response...thank you
First become familiar with all the alternative in your area, including non-public schools, charter schools, and alternative public schools. Then request an emergency IEP meeting. At the meeting let the district know that you are no longer in agreement with your son's placement. Describe the type of placement he should be in. For example, a program for emotionally disturbed students rather than students with conduct problems that is not located within a large high school. Another description would be a small theraputic day school program (NOT community day). If he doesn't specifically need a ED program, a description may be a small alternative high school of choice. Avoid specifically mentioning charter or non-public school (NPS) specifically. Doing so will put the district on the defensive (esp. with mention of a NPS). Gently guide the discussion towards the schools you have identified as being a appropriate placement for your son.
I no longer have contacts in Apple Valley (my uncle used ot live there) so I can not make specific recommendations. On a quick search of databases I found the following schools in your area that depending on your son's needs may be appropriate:
AES - Mountain View School in Hesperia (NPS) http://www.advancededucationservices.org/school_mountainview.asp
High Desert Haven in Apple Valley (NPS)
UHS - Mojave Ridge Academy in Victorville (NPS) http://www.uhsschools.com/victorville.pdf
Options for Youth in Victorville (Charter) http://www.ofy.org/page.cfm?p=1
Crosswalk High School in Hesperia (Charter) http://www.crosswalkschoolk12.com/chs/index.php
Also, you do not have to get the agreement of the IEP team to move your son to a charter school. However, very few charter schools can handle more than mild emotional disurbances.
--
Beth
DH - Husband & Father
DS 16.3 - BP II, NVLD, GAD, Transgender (female to male) and gifted
Geodon 40mg AM & 60mg PM (tapering off), Prozac 10mg every other PM (tapering off) and Buspar 15mg AM/PM
In 11th grade at a small alternative hybrid competency based public high school in Northern California, with IEP for ED & SLD
Beth,
Thank you so much for your help. I was actually going down to Options for Youth today...they have just opened a facility here in Apple Valley. I will be sure to mention that his problems are all related to his anxiety and not conduct. He has only been suspended for using foul language when the teacher did not allow him to leave the classroom during a meltdown. He was having a panic attack and crying in front of the classroom...which for him was a humiliating experience.
I will be sure to research a few more schools before the meeting tomorrow. I am also going to familiarize myself with the laws protecting his rights to an education at a safe, non-violent campus.
Again, I thank you for your responses.
God Bless..Have a Beautiful day! :)
Sounds like he needs a therapeutic environment (such as a day school) not a place for deliquents. He will receive counseling, understanding and lots of support there along with academics. Not punishment. I dont know what some of these school systems are thinking....sorry you're going through this. Google "therapeutic day schools".
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Wendy
48-adoptive mom
47-DH-adoptive Dad
DS age 14, (adopted 5 yrs ago from eastern europe) ADHD, LD, PTSD, anxiety, mood disorder-NOS, with lots of great qualities:)
Concerta 72 mg, Zoloft 50mg, Abilify 17.5mg, and Risperdal (.25mg a.m and .25mg late afternoon-weaning off slowly the last few months) and Melatonin
DD- age 20
DS- age 14-other son
Both adopted as baby/toddler -both ADD,LD