First results

The test results are in, these set of tests were to determine 'IF' there is a learning difficulty (difference, disability). This would be hoop #1. We already know that there is a difficulty, and most likely what it is, but you don't get answers or help by knowing anything. I am not surprised by what the results told us, but I am surprised by the actual numbers. I am even more surprised by the next few steps of 'action' that the school board plans to take. The first two tests determine what Diane is capable of, how she would test if there were no neurological blockages.

PPVT is a designed to test her overall literacy, she scored in the 90 percentile for vocabulary
RAVENS is designed to test her mathematical ability, she scored in the 58th percentile for comprehension
The last test is one that assesses what she is actually able to do. When there is a large gap in these percentages, then it becomes obvious that there is a learning difficulty.

KTEA II tests her actual ability, what is is currently able to do:
Reading: 10th percentile
Writing: 2nd percentile
Math: 6th percentile
Now that we know what she is capable of and what she is able to do, the school will arrange a meeting of a select group of people. I don't mean to sound cryptic, but that's pretty much all I got from the Resource Teacher. Sounds like some people from the school board and teachers.

The next step  is to come up with an Individualized Learning Plan (IEP). Basically what this is a document that allows Diane to do half the work and get the same grade as students who do all the work. As much as this seems like a solution, it is not. This may get her through grade 12 and maybe a little college, but that's where this stops. Would you want your Pharmacist to only have completed 1/2 the work expected of them? How about your nurse in the ER? Police officer? I don't think I need to go on. As you look at the career options of someone who cannot study and learn, it becomes obvious that we could be severely limiting her. Now if this program works after a time (again, no real answers) maybe a few months to a couple years, than the board calls this a success and makes no changes. Only if this program fails will they consider setting us up with the school board NeuroPsycologist. And by the way, there is a lengthy wait!
If Diane still cannot learn with this plan than we move to the Modified Learning Plan. This then takes her completely off the normal learning channels and still allows her to graduate. She will have learned even less than on the previous system and will still not have learned how to read and comprehend what she is reading at any sort of acceptable level. But 'yippie ding!' the BC school board has one more graduate to add to their ever increasing list of young adults who cannot learn.

I still cannot believe that this is the regular accepted practice in BC.

I look forward to finishing up the tumultuous school year. We will have fun this summer. We plan to do a lot of simple outings, nature walks and lazy days at the beach. Then in September we will start grade 3 1/2. The plan is to dedicate a lot of our energy to the Susan Barton program while we do a mix of grade 3 and grade 4 curriculum.