A battle weary soldier

Okay, so tomorrow is our 3rd IEP meeting (Intervention Education Plan) on Spencer's behalf at the school. We are FINALLY going to discuss results from testing we requested last OCTOBER. I have spent a few HOURS today gathering materials that relate to the findings from his testing to try to persuade the school exactly what course of action needs to happen next. Of course, I have been working with him at home since October doing precisely what we are now going to request them to do at school (as a reinforcement). Which means, that I, and our advocate Elaine via conference call, will be in so many words, telling them how to do their job.

That should go over well, don't you think?

It makes me very, very sad to think how many parents there are out there who do not have an Aunt who happens to be a reading expert to help them navigate the disaster of special ed in public schools. I think that it is the only reason I am bothering even talking to these people tomorrow, in hopes that maybe they will see that they don't really know HOW to help kids like Spencer. It's almost like talking to a group of "experts" who insist that the world is really flat, in the face of mountains of evidence that point to the contrary.

But, I have Spencer and his progress as evidence that what we are doing works, and works wonders. I could not be prouder of how hard he works everyday, and how far he has come this year. I'm ready to just forget about the "experts" and fix the problem myself. How sad it is.

I'll update how it goes after the meeting. In the meantime, I better get some rest so I don't just "lose it" in our meeting. Diplomacy is really Jared's strongpoint. Unfortunately, the (relative) expertise in the subject is mine! I figure Heavenly Father is teaching me how to be better at not offending people. That is as difficult for me as the short vowel sound of /i/ is for Spencer!