Catching up

On Mar 23, 4:22 pm, snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com (NightMist) wrote: Now the git is "strongly

At least they were only 'encouraged' to get a $100 calculator. DD had a A$260 calculator down as requirement on her book list. She was able to get a s/h previous model for $60.

Dee in Oz

I'm a math teacher. First time in this particular school. I was told my Geometry students were expected to purchase a scientific calculator -- maybe maximum $12 in a grocery store or discount store. They use it for one chapter in the book. Maybe 3 days worth of lessons. In my neighborhood, the $12 could be used for groceries! And then in the higher math classes they are supposed to buy the $110 graphing calculator. Wonder how often that one is used in the class. I sure hope it's for more than 3 days!

I thinks it's time parents complained loudly and clearly.

When I came to the school in the fall, teachers in other departments apologized to me on behalf of the rest of the school. They said that the math department is not representative of the way the rest of the school is.

Both my kids needed graphong calculators in high school. We could afford them, though I really couldn't imagine why they were so necessary. Now that they are out of college and won't need them anymore, (art and music majors....could it have been the math classes?) I donated the calculators to the small high school where DD teaches. Too bad more people don't do that. I doubt very many of those calculators are used after high school. Maybe less than half? Schools should look at putting together a lending library for calculators.

If you are around here you 'need' the new graphing calculator that goes with the book. Of course my kids were a grade apart and both needed them at the same time. Kids that are on 'free lunch' (I don't remember the exact real term, that was what they were always referred as) were issued a calculator when they needed them. They also had their honors tests paid for by the district.

Plants should be ok nightmist. Keep the roots in a bucket of water until you can plant them. The guys I buy from guarantee they will leaf out the first season or you get a refund.

SO far as Ash and education I had a friend that took her attorney to every meeting before the school year started. Worked for her. It may sound drastic but maybe relocating to a place where his needs can be met might be something to think about. There are districts that do meet needs. I hope your brother is able to get into a job there that will work for him. WHat a mess. I hope things ease up for you soon. TAria

KJ wrote:

Does anyone know someone looking for an Eagle Scout project? This might just be a very good project for them. Gen

I just think it's ridiculous for a required course. For a math major it would be a different story, though I find the idea of requiring a high function calculator for any high school math a bit odd. A lower functioning scientific for the basic arithmitic and to eliminate the need for tables in upper level courses makes sense. That would allow the students to focus on what they are supposed to be learning instead of spending time on details. But why on earth would a calculator beyond one at the level of an adding machine be recomended for a required basic to intermediate algebra course? I thought they were supposed to be learning math, not learning how to run a calculator.

I got these from Gurney's so I should be covered if they die on me. I was just stunned that they would ship to my zone so early. I hate to put anything in the ground when we still have the probability of more than one hard freeze. I checked tracking and the things should be arriving tommorow or Monday. The ten day weather forcast has night time temperatures here dipping into the 20's and low 30's. I don't expect even the cold hardiest shrubs to survive that right after shipping and transplant trauma. We still had three feet of snow a couple of days ago. A good hard rain took out most of that, and in fact my crocus popped up and went into bloom. I'll see how the bushes look when they get here. If the ground is soft enough where I plan to put them I might be able to get away with planting them and tenting them.

Would that I could! I inquired around, and there is not a single local lawyer that will do it without a retainer. That would be at least $3k, that I do not have, down. Not a one of them was willing to take money on time to save up for the retainer either. Their reasoning was if I had to do that to make the retainer I could never keep up with costs if it went to court. They are right, but geez! Of course if it never went to court and I only ever took them to one meeting over the course of a year they would keep the money too. grrrr...

NightMist

We had the old CRC books of tables for trigonometry. I don't think those books are available anymore -- the values can be found by using the scientific calculator nowadays.

Forgive me, but I am not sure where you live. IF it is in the US, your son should have an IEP which gives you MANY legal rights. There should be an advocate within your county and a resource center. Unfortunately, the term autism spectrum disorder DOES paint a wide path, however you do know how Ash best responds. They should be asking you what your goals for him are, and there is an entire team at an IEP. If this is within the US, there is a very strong legal procedure.

There are also support groups for many children's diagnosis. While some I have seen are not the best, usually there are other parents who can help you see what CAN be done. Mind you, I have also (very recently) seen a parent have VERY unrealistic demands which the school system could not accomodate, so there are two sides. There are national organizations making great strides as well.

I wish you the best. (taking off my work hat now) Take care, Paulette in WV

The key word there is "should."

I have been teaching in the same school district for 6 years. In IEP meetings I have attended, only one was a true discussion and exploration of what the student needed, what the parent wanted, and what the student envisioned for his future. There was an advocate present for that IEP. The meeting lasted for about 3 hours. I was the only "regular ed" teacher there, and I was the computer lab teacher. Luckily I had also taught some of the other content areas, so I could ask questions and make suggestions in those content areas without the teachers being present. It was the best IEP I have ever participated in.

Otherwise, IEPs have all been the same -- shortened assignments, work in small groups, give more time, complete [whatever] at 85% accuracy or 85% of the time.

Usually, no matter what the student's specific learning disability was (and no one knows the specific learning disability here because they do not test that extensively) the IEPs were the same. How did I know? I was usually the only "regular ed" teacher who was willing to stay, participate, and listen to the entire list of recommendations. The other teachers just rushed in, gave a printout of current grades and assignments, then left.

FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS AND THE RIGHTS OF YOUR CHILD. The other people who are supposed to might, or might not.