Dear C.,
I worked in special education for years, now retired. I strongly feel that he should be tried in kindergarten. I helped integrate many children into the regular classroom. Also I kept two of my three sons back (one was 6 in June, one 6 in July the year they started kindergarten) so age is not a factor. The problem with kindergarten today is that it is First grade academics. If you feel he is up to it, and it sounds like with your support every night he could make it.
I would request that he be placed in a regular class room and receive RSP(Resource Specialist Program) support and speech therapy. Do not keep him in special education at this time. He will lag behind and have a lot of difficulty ever getting out. If he was a young 5 year old last year, he definitely should repeat in a regular room.
I would also see if you can get additional private speech therapy. I do not know the severity of your son's speech problem, but a private therapist would have more time for him than the ones in the school system. It may be expensive, but he really sounds like he would benefit from it at this time. If you have Kaiser, they have speech therapist that might be covered. Otherwise go through you doctor and the therapy might be covered by you insurance.
Then if in the future, he needs to be moved to special education, that is never a problem...coming out of it after you have been in a few years is much more difficult.
If he has problems, you have a right to ask for an aid to assist him in the room to support him. You may need an advocate to do this, because they are cutting back on funds.
However, if you are a stay-at-home mom like I was, you could also ask if you could volunteer in the classroom. You mainly would assist the teacher with preparation work in the room while she handles the class. This would be helpful because you could observe how he adjusts and see what his major problems are, if any, and might be able to make suggestions to the teacher.
You are his advocate right now for your son and you need to get what he needs. I hope this helps you with your decision. When you meet, make sure they know exactly what you want. They should comply with your desires for him to try regular kindergarten with RSP and speech therapy support. It is the teacher that you will need to talk to (and possibly the principal) regarding volunteering.
One last thing I can think of right now, you also have a right to have him attend regular kindergarten for an adjust time frame if you find it too long for him. The teacher can give you anything he misses to make up.
Parents have many rights when it comes to IEP's. Make sure you get heard. Be a great avocate for you son!
His future depends on it. Also I hope you do consider a private speech therapist. The school therapist might be willing to work with him after hours...some do this as extra income. You will learn as you go along more as you go, but meet his needs at this time or it may be difficult later.
Also another success story for you. A friend at church adopted a Chinese child and she had severe speech delays. They had her in therapy and in a private Pre-K then Kindergarten and now she is doing great in regular 1st grade. You might want to consider a private school that will take him and work with him if the public is too stressed about funding. I could find out where the little girl was sent to Pre-K and Kindergarten and where they received the speech assistance if you would like me to do so.
I hope the IEP goes well and you get his before the meeting.
Blessings,
H.