Need Help in Colorado for My Son

where does he go to school? I'd recommend jefferson county open school. look it up on the web. it's an amazing place.
A.

K.,
First things first...have you asked (IN WRITING) to have him tested for learning disabilities? The school system has 30 days from the date they receive your letter to test him. If they do not within that time you can file a grievance with the school district and they can get into huge trouble for not complying with your wishes to have him tested. Also have them test him for his learning type. Does he learn better through visual/auditory/kinetic means? These type of things can help not only his teachers but you.

I would also, as someone else suggested, talk with the school counselor, maybe have him/her watch and see if there is some type of harassment going on. I would also ask if there are any big changes that have happened to make him feel like this? How long has he struggled? Did this just start? Is there a specific teacher that he complains about?

Another thing you can do is visit his classes. Whenever I started having problems in class (and even sometimes when I didn't) my mother would visit and see if there was something going on that I wasn't recognizing or talking about.

I would first know what your rights are as his parent, and then I would get him tested for the different types of learning, there is a great test online for free at http://www.learning-styles-online.com/inventory/questions...
Go there and see what you can come up with. It doesn't take long and it may provide a lot of insight. Also talk with his teachers, they sometimes see things that may help. It never hurts to ask and even if they're no help with your son, speaking with them may reveal why he's having issues.
Good luck,
C.

Hi
request an IEP the school has to give you one. You may want to have him tested? I struggled through school and felt stupid and then in college found out I was dyslexic. Also look into getting him an academic couch. They are more than tutors they give you hints on home to study and outline, and can also provide a mentor typ of relationship.
Good luck, Don't let him drop out!!

I think there are two things people aren't considering - 1) You probably cannot afford an alternative school, and 2) maybe he needs to see a counselor (hoping there's something out there that is free). My parents made me see a counselor I think at age 14 and I hated that, didn't help, but my problems weren't really with school (although one thing was an ex-friend's new friends calling me a Bitch). What about the Big Brother program? I'm thinking he doesn't have a Man/Father Figure in his life? I'm not the most religious person but I'll be praying for both you and your son...not to scare you but I would be worried about what he's thinking about besides dropping out of school. Best of Luck!

K. -

I am an education consultant and own a firm in Arizona, The Whole Learner. I recommend finding an education consultant or call a local community college or college education division. Look for someone in special education or with that background even if your son does not have a disability, he may have a learning challenge standing in his way. The person you hire should be able to point you in the right direction. Testing for learning issues can be done in public schools and privately. Depending on the results, you can determine the next step. I would also sit down with his teachers to see what help they can offer.
While I have not personally worked in Colorado, I would be happy to speak with you further and perhaps refer you to someone. Feel free to contact me via email at ____@____.com
Best Wishes!

Hi, Have you tried Sylvan or a program like that? I had a niece that went to Sylvan and her parents saw a big improvemnt in her schooling and grades. What part of CO. are you from? I was born and raised in Pueblo. I live in AZ. now with my husband and 2 kids! I sure do miss CO. I hope that this helps. Take care!
D.

K.,

I would go to greatschools.net and check out the schools in your area. Maybe there is a charter school that would better meet his needs and have a smaller student:teacher ratio. Also, your son is entitled by law to receive services if he qualifies. I would talk to the school psychologist and see about getting him an IEP (Individual Education Plan) to ensure his success in school. He may not get a one-on-one, but he will get assistance if he needs it.

Does the school offer homework clubs? Does he have a friend that can be his "study buddy?"

Hope some of this helps.

Hello K.!
I am a mom of 3. I have a soon to be 13 year old daughter, who also struggles in school, and always has. She was diagnosed w/ ADD at age 6. She took meds for it for a few years, and now is off of them. I do not want her on meds anymore. It was hard for me to give it to her, and I just decided its too much. Have you had your son checked for ADD by his doctor? I would try that. Whether you choose to medicate or not if he does have it, is your decision, but there are alternatives to meds. There is a school called the Sullvan Center. They cater to kids who struggle. I would google that, and have him tested as well. It is hard to see your child struggle, an dfeel "stupid", Im sure you are already telling him that he is not stupid, and that every child learns differently. Just be positive with him as Im sure you are, and let him know he's not alone. Best to you,

T.

If he needs help, you can check the library. I'm in Tucson, and our public library offers homework help. Maybe if he can get SOME help it will start him on the right path.

Good luck!

I used to work for a non-profit funded by the Workforce Investment Act in Phoenix. There's a component of the program that aims to reach young people (14-21 years old) that are at-risk of dropping out of school. I know your son is 13-years old, but somebody working for the local chapter may know of other resources for him. If he's close to turning 14 then you could try to get him to stay in school until his bday. The program in Phoenix was free as long as the family qualified (95% low-income based and 5% middle to upper income). For more information go to http://www.coworkforce.com/EMP/wiaypl.asp. If this doesn't work I would suggest private tutoring. If the reason he's struggling has to do with not understanding the curriculm, than private tutoring would help him tremendously (and boost his self-esteem.) There's a national company called SCORE that's a bit on the expensive side, but probably worth it. You may also want to search for at-home tutors. Try community colleges, newspapers, internet, etc. I wish you and your son the best of luck.

First of all you need to tell him that ALL kids learn differently and he is perfect the way he is. I would contact the nearest collage and see if they offer some sort of tutoring. Alot of collage students do that for extra money but at a reduced rate.
Have you talked to his teachers? There might be one willing to help. I know in public school they are not that helpful. Hopefully you can find someone who can help him rediscover that learning is fun

Good Luck

he might be a visual learner, maybe talk to his teacher,maybe have her observe him
try helping him learn visually .for example if he has trouble with math try putting a exampleof one the math problems hes working on and he can look up at that on and just substitute the numbers in that problem for the one he is working onand it will make him fell better cause hes doing it himself instead of always asking for help. if u would like to discuss more please email me. M. ____@____.com

Hi K.,

I have a 14 y/o, and a 16 y/o in Douglas county schools.
There seems to be alot of mean kids these days. My son (16) has been cold shouldered, and teased, been called gay, and all sorts of mean-ness. He is a very good kid, who loves video games, and dirt biking and ATV-ing...Since starting his sophmore year, he has used some profanity in his MySpace, mainly to fet in to his peer group...though he does not use it at home.
He is an average student, but did not do well as a freshman. (Got 2 F's in major classes). He also had said he wanted to quit school. (It runs in our family, being my younger brother and my husbands younger brother both dropped out but, got their GED's later.
I think it must be overwhelming to our kids that when they do get out of school, the cost of living is so great, and the world is so messed up morally, that they just want to give up and live at home...And, the best way to do that is drop out of school...
What I have done is to have my kids look at the future, to find something they really want to do in life. Then I tell my them that they have the ability to be anything that they choose to be. To never loose hope in fulfilling their dreams. More important they are aware that there is a God who loves them, that He has promised to never leave or forsake them, and that He has plans for them, not to harm them, but to give them a hope and a future. All of my children attend church...However my teens do not wish to participate in the teen youth service. (Stating that the kids there are those that tease and use profanity at school and then put on a mask at church.) So they sit in the regular service with us. I am so blessed to know that they know God.

So I would start there...Are you active in a church? Do you belong to a small friendship group. If not it is vital to get involved in a bible beieving church...

I know what you are going through, and also feel for your son...please know you are in my prayers...

C.

Hi K.,

I would suggest...finding out if there isn't a learning disability or if you are comfortable talking to the school counselor and asking them for some assistance with your son and see what they may recommend!

Best Regards,
A.

Where in Colorado do you live? Have you checked into alternative school?

K.

Why don't you contact the school counselor and see if you can come up with a plan? Sounds like a typical 13 year old to me. I'm sure that the school counselor will have ideas. You could also talk to your family doc about teen depression. Good luck to you.
Maybe there is a mentoring group locally or if you're a single mom, you could do a Big Brothers sort of thing. Maybe even find an older student who could help with homework and stuff.

Talk w/his doctor, school counselor and teachers. My daughter is very smart and very shy. When she started doing poorly in school we talked with everyone and then had her tested for diabilities. It turned out she has ADD. If you saw her you would think "No way" (as did we), but we have seen great improvement in her since we began working on it with her.
Good luck.

Unfortunately, most schools don't offer the kind of support you are talking about academically. They simply don't have the resources. And the teacher generally has enough on his or her plate than to try to personally assist every child. In my daughter's class the children are at totally different levels. It's not like it used to be when I was going to school where basically all the kids were on the same academic level. My daughter's teacher tells me that it is startling the lack of interest on the parents' end as to what their children are doing in school. I don't know your situation but it is really up to us as parents to show an interest in what our children bring home from school, i.e. homework, to help him or her gain confidence in schoolwork so he or she will have the confidence at school. It is not 100% up to the school. How much time are you spending on his homework at night? Are you able to volunteer in his class?

I am only speaking from experience because I volunteer in my daughter's class at public school and it is so apparent to me that most of the parents of these kids (and I'm not saying you fit in this category) don't spend nearly enough time with their kids after school doing their assignments and boosting their interest in learning. The parents too often think the school can do the whole job. The reality is that if parents show excitement about learning, the children will too. You are his one on one help. Even being involved in PTA so your child sees you are interested in his school can be a big help!

Hope this helps!

Is it possible that your son's problems are emotionally based? When I was in 6th grade, I was relentlessly teased and tormented by my classmates when the teachers weren't looking. Because I was too embarrassed to tell my parents or school officials it manifested itself in many ways. I was so stressed out by all of the teasing that I got headaches and couldn't focus, I therefore couldn't learn. When I went home I could not do homework because I didn't understand the material (because, again, I couldn't focus in class on anything other than worrying about what "stupid" thing I was going to do or say next that I would get teased for). At a loss, my parents moved me to a different school. Within weeks I was on the newspaper staff, had tons of friends, and was back to making A's and B's. It wasn't until a few years ago that I admitted to my parents the source of all of my problems that year, but if they had not moved me, I don't know where i would be right now. It might be worth asking your son if there is something else going on with him. It might not be teasing, but it may be something you never expected. Good luck & God bless.
-Jen

Hello K.,
Have you considered hiring a tutor? I think that maybe if you could find someone that is positive and that he responds well to, it would probably make an impact on him. I have a nephew that was having a rough time in school. My brother and sister-in-law enrolled him in Sylvan Learning Center. (This was in New Mexico, but I think they have them in other states as well)I believe Sullivan was probably more expensive than a tutor would be but it may be something to check into. Good Luck!

I would see if you could get him tested. If you have insurance taking him to a psycologist is a great idea. It is possible there is more going on. It could be ADD, Dyslexia. I have three children two have Aspergers and one Bipolar and both make there learning styles different. Not saying it is that but if nothing else a psycologist could help figure out what is going on. I homeschool my kids to give the the flexability they need - I have no idea if that is even an option for you or something you want to consider. My kids are younger so I haven't reached the whole pre teen stage. But the schools do have to do testing and there are other options through them. The problem is with a lot of schools you have to be VERY persistant. Hope this helped some. Keep you head up, I'm sure you are doing a great job.

Hi K.,

I hate to say this, but you would probably be amazed by how many kids are struggling with the same problems these days.
I would suggest that you look into www.desiderataschool.com. They are so many smart wonderful children out there that are just getting lost in the system. They get diagnosed with everything under the sun when really all they need is more/less attention, more appropriate/more interesting curriculum or just a less stressful learning environment. I attended Desiderata for my entire school career and I would recommend it to anyone having difficulties in the public school system or someone just looking for a made taylor made education program.

Lol....I sound like a commercial : ) : )
Best of Luck,
Devony