At the primary/elementary level, the special education teacher should have a toolkit for themselves of all sorts of varied curriculum, as well as knowledge of specialized instructional methods, and the skills to "align" it all to the general education program and the standards. That's part of the job (I'm a special ed teacher).

At the secondary level, there is much less flexibility. If you want your young person to get a REAL high school diploma and not just a "career diploma" or a certificate (which are useless, in the independent adult world, pretty much), then your child must pass the general curriculum. HOWEVER, he has until age 22 to do so successfully. If by the time he's around 20 years old, he just can't get over some of the demands, focus on GED preparation. The GED is much better than the special education program completion certificates.

Yes! We are going through that now. We got a lawyer. And now we are going through mediation. But make sure that your child's teacher wants to be involved. Since SS 12yrs old is going to be in junior high in a couple months, his teacher doesnt care to help. The teacher gave SS ALL C-'s on his recent report card..which in fact..SS was surprised HOW he received the C-'s..BECAUSE SS admits to not even trying,so he asked how he got those grades!! isnt that funny? Well, SS never received progress report BECAUSE the teacher wanted to discuss at a parent/teacher meeting. BUT there happened to be a IEP meeting..so the teacher said we would talk then. INTERESTING!! Since the IEP meeting is for the IEP. Not a progress report. Well, nothing still has been said about the report, accept that BioMom seems to think that SS still earn the grades EVEN though SS said he didnt earn them...well...u cant argue w stupid!!! But personally think that the teacher should be responsible especially since they are the one spending most of the day teaching the child!! Do research & make sure the teacher is concerned about UR Child!!

If he needs specialized curriculum then you may be looking at a different program for him. If he only needs modifications then the special education teacher and the general ed teacher need to work together to make these changes for him. Less math problems, test given differently, rubrix or syllabus given to him, study guide sheets before tests, pre-teach and reteach vocabulary or content, extra time for written or reading assignments and Teaching assistant support in classes of the academic areas he may need extra help.

Never done that and I'm not sure if they can change the curriculum requirement. Is your child in high school?

I always ask for more than I think my son needs (speech five days a week when I think they can only do 3). Remember that it's always a compromise!