Another question about Verticy....

[LizzyBee]

How well is Verticy planned out?

 

I work nearly full time and my dh is homeschooling our 9 yo dyslexic dd. My dh has ADHD, so I do all the research, choose curriculum, and make weekly schedules. I am looking for ways to reduce stress and make this easier because I work a lot of overtime during tax season and just making the weekly schedule will be a major stressor for me.

 

We thought we might send dd to a small charter school next year. However, after talking to the school administrator, I don't think this is a good idea. I will probably request a meeting to discuss the sped program in more detail, but bottom line is that they will not work with her where she's at. If she starts out in 4th grade, they will teach her from a 4th grade reading book - no Orton Gillingham, no starting where she is and moving forward sequentially.

 

Another option is to put her in a school for kids with language based learning disabilities that is right next to my office. The location offers convenience, but of course this is a very expensive option.

 

We will probably continue homeschooling, but if so, I am looking for ways to make the process a little smoother.

 

Thanks!

[RamonaQ]

Verticy is very well-planned out. I do nothing but open the books each day and read the lesson that morning before school (about 10 min). If you need to gather anything, it gives you a couple lesson heads up . I will say, if you do everything, you will have a very long day. We also do not do the phonics/ spelling (as we have met that need through Vision therapy and also working with a Wilson/ LIPS tutor).

 

Another thing that is helpful is that there is additional support in the educational consultants that can help you if you get stuck, or help with better explanations. We have also appreciated the online helps, and tutorials.

Edited December 11, 2010 by RamonaQ
more thoughts

[Paisley Hedgehog]

nm

[suzziesnowflake]

We have been using the full 6th grade Verticy program for about 2 months now and it is very well planned out. I like that everything is online as well as having access to the textbooks.My DS is able to access his books and have a program read them to him. By doing this he is able to learn the samethings that his peers at ps are. He likes being able to do this and I have seen a gain in self confidence. We do not use the history because we had already started with another program and we were already ahead of what Verticy was doing. The science goes very fast but he loves it! I can not say enough about the writing! This is GOLD! My ds took off in writing with this. I have added using Dragon Speak (ala Romona) and he can answer all the questions for science and geo himself. His writing has also taken off using this! The phonics/spelling IS orton-gillingham. I love that this program has given DS independence and everything is so planned and taylored to what he should be able to do. What I don't care for is the textbook approach, however ,they add a little bit of hands on stuff for the science, lit, and geography. If you have anymore questions please let me know. :D

[LizzyBee]

My dh and I got a chance to talk a little bit last evening about our choices for next year. He likes homeschooling K. and thinks the one on one attention is best for her. Verticy sounds like a perfect choice in our circumstances! We will definitely keep it in mind.

[Renee in NC]

LizzyBee, I see that your dh wants to homeschool, so what I am about to say may not matter.

 

They can't tell you that. It is a public school and they are held to the same standards as any other ps. The other charter (where my oldest goes) said exactly the same thing to me regarding my 9yo. Now I know that they are still required to follow the law, even if they don't have much of a special ed department.

 

They *have* to accomodate. My ds (who reads at a lower level even than your dd) has everything read to him and written for him (unless he can do it himself.) He gets modified assignments (for the most part.) I don't think content is a problem for your dd, is it? If my ds can be accomodated in a regular classroom, so can your dd.;)

 

As for remediation, you have a couple of options if you really want O-G. You can pay someone to come to the school and offer it. You can do it at night (isn't that what you do now?) Is she behind in math? Grammar/writing? (My ds does all the same writing assignments as everyone else except the teacher writes for him.) They have to offer speech and OT if she still needs it. Don't let them tell you they can't, work with them to figure out what they can. My ds's school doesn't offer O-G and neither do most other public schools, so I know that I will either have to do it or pay someone to do it.

 

Just an FYI in case your dh decides not to homeschool.

[LizzyBee]

LizzyBee, I see that your dh wants to homeschool, so what I am about to say may not matter.

 

They can't tell you that. It is a public school and they are held to the same standards as any other ps. The other charter (where my oldest goes) said exactly the same thing to me regarding my 9yo. Now I know that they are still required to follow the law, even if they don't have much of a special ed department.

 

They *have* to accomodate. My ds (who reads at a lower level even than your dd) has everything read to him and written for him (unless he can do it himself.) He gets modified assignments (for the most part.) I don't think content is a problem for your dd, is it? If my ds can be accomodated in a regular classroom, so can your dd.;)

 

As for remediation, you have a couple of options if you really want O-G. You can pay someone to come to the school and offer it. You can do it at night (isn't that what you do now?) Is she behind in math? Grammar/writing? (My ds does all the same writing assignments as everyone else except the teacher writes for him.) They have to offer speech and OT if she still needs it. Don't let them tell you they can't, work with them to figure out what they can. My ds's school doesn't offer O-G and neither do most other public schools, so I know that I will either have to do it or pay someone to do it.

 

Just an FYI in case your dh decides not to homeschool.

 

The administrator acknowledged that my dd would be eligible for sped services and accomodations. All of the testing would be done before school starts so that her IEP will be place from the beginning of the school year. However, she said that BY LAW, they have to teach her at grade level. So when she goes to the sped class or reading specialist, they will teach her using a 4th or 5th grade reading textbook, depending on what grade we decide to place her in. I wanted to ask her what's the point??????????? But I was polite because I don't think we're going to send dd to school anyway. I have heard that NC schools do offer OG instruction, so I am really confused now. If dd gets accepted, I will request a meeting to get more information before we make a final decision.

 

DD is reading 2 years below grade level, but if we place her 2 years behind, she'll be held back in other subjects in which she is capable of learning at grade level with some accomodations. For ex, she's on grade level with math. It seems to me the sensible thing to do would be to place her in 4th grade (one year behind, but she'd be a very young 5th grader in addition to being dyslexic), teach her at 4th grade level for everything except reading and writing, and teach those subjects starting where she is and moving forward sequentially. But unfortunately, sensible and public school don't coincide in the same universe for a child who is not average.

[Renee in NC]

The administrator acknowledged that my dd would be eligible for sped services and accomodations. All of the testing would be done before school starts so that her IEP will be place from the beginning of the school year. However, she said that BY LAW, they have to teach her at grade level. So when she goes to the sped class or reading specialist, they will teach her using a 4th or 5th grade reading textbook, depending on what grade we decide to place her in. I wanted to ask her what's the point??????????? But I was polite because I don't think we're going to send dd to school anyway. I have heard that NC schools do offer OG instruction, so I am really confused now. If dd gets accepted, I will request a meeting to get more information before we make a final decision.

 

DD is reading 2 years below grade level, but if we place her 2 years behind, she'll be held back in other subjects in which she is capable of learning at grade level with some accomodations. For ex, she's on grade level with math. It seems to me the sensible thing to do would be to place her in 4th grade (one year behind, but she'd be a very young 5th grader in addition to being dyslexic), teach her at 4th grade level for everything except reading and writing, and teach those subjects starting where she is and moving forward sequentially. But unfortunately, sensible and public school don't coincide in the same universe for a child who is not average.

 

That isn't true. My ds is taught reading and writing at his level (1st grade), in addition to the 3rd grade materials. This isn't state law (special ed falls under federal), so I am not sure why he is saying that. I would guess that he is confusing being required to teach the standard NC curriculum with what special ed requires. Call your regular ps district and talk to someone there about what *they* would do remediation-wise.

 

As for O-G, some NC schools do and some don't. They are only required to offer "research-based reading intervention" of some sort. That includes a whole host of programs. I don't know about your district because I am waiting on IEP's before I start calling around. Chatham County, for example, uses an SRA program.

 

If I were you (which I may be at some point:D) I would focus on the accomodations she needs to succeed in a regular classroom and tackle remediation as a separate issue. The real contact person (in my short experience) is the classroom teacher. He/she is the one who is going to be there day in and day out working with your dd. If she can continue to get 2-3 sessions of O-G in each week, that may be all it takes to keep her moving forward.

[LizzyBee]

That isn't true. My ds is taught reading and writing at his level (1st grade), in addition to the 3rd grade materials. This isn't state law (special ed falls under federal), so I am not sure why he is saying that. I would guess that he is confusing being required to teach the standard NC curriculum with what special ed requires. Call your regular ps district and talk to someone there about what *they* would do remediation-wise.

 

As for O-G, some NC schools do and some don't. They are only required to offer "research-based reading intervention" of some sort. That includes a whole host of programs. I don't know about your district because I am waiting on IEP's before I start calling around. Chatham County, for example, uses an SRA program.

 

If I were you (which I may be at some point:D) I would focus on the accomodations she needs to succeed in a regular classroom and tackle remediation as a separate issue. The real contact person (in my short experience) is the classroom teacher. He/she is the one who is going to be there day in and day out working with your dd. If she can continue to get 2-3 sessions of O-G in each week, that may be all it takes to keep her moving forward.

 

My oldest dd's boyfriend's little sister is probably dyslexic, too, and she is not having a good experience at the same school. Her parents are pulling her out to go to private school next year, and I'm wondering if they're going to send her to the dyslexia school by my office. I kind of do want to meet with the charter school administrator just to put her on the spot, because I know what she told me is not accurate, or at best, wildly incomplete. However, I'm not going to waste my time fighting a losing battle with the school system. If the school will not try to meet my dd's needs with a happy attitude, I'm not going to enroll her there. Fortunately, we're still in a position to have some options available.

[AliR]

I am using Verticy third grade core and math, orange grammar/composition and green phonics/spelling with DD8. I would say it is very well planned out. I also work from home part time so am particularly short of time. Planning consists of pulling out the worksheets and flashcards that are required each day, sometimes a little cutting out, but I would say I spend less than 10 minutes a day on planning, as the lesson material is so well structured.

[Renee in NC]

My oldest dd's boyfriend's little sister is probably dyslexic, too, and she is not having a good experience at the same school. Her parents are pulling her out to go to private school next year, and I'm wondering if they're going to send her to the dyslexia school by my office. I kind of do want to meet with the charter school administrator just to put her on the spot, because I know what she told me is not accurate, or at best, wildly incomplete. However, I'm not going to waste my time fighting a losing battle with the school system. If the school will not try to meet my dd's needs with a happy attitude, I'm not going to enroll her there. Fortunately, we're still in a position to have some options available.

 

That is true - sometimes it isn't worth the battle, especially if you have other options. Let me know what happens as I was going to put them in the lottery for next year - I won't bother if they don't come around.

 

I've looked at some of the private schools and wish it was an option for mine - it isn't right now, but may be in the future.

[LizzyBee]

That is true - sometimes it isn't worth the battle, especially if you have other options. Let me know what happens as I was going to put them in the lottery for next year - I won't bother if they don't come around.

 

I've looked at some of the private schools and wish it was an option for mine - it isn't right now, but may be in the future.

 

They are taking 400 new students next year - do the lottery just to keep all your options open. FA has small classes and caring teachers. Right now, it's only the administrator that is getting on my nerves. :tongue_smilie:

 

My 9th grader has mild LD's, and the high school has been great about helping her transition into high school after 8 yrs of homeschooling.

[LizzyBee]

I am using Verticy third grade core and math, orange grammar/composition and green phonics/spelling with DD8. I would say it is very well planned out. I also work from home part time so am particularly short of time. Planning consists of pulling out the worksheets and flashcards that are required each day, sometimes a little cutting out, but I would say I spend less than 10 minutes a day on planning, as the lesson material is so well structured.

 

Thanks! That's just what we need to know.

[Renee in NC]

They are taking 400 new students next year - do the lottery just to keep all your options open. FA has small classes and caring teachers. Right now, it's only the administrator that is getting on my nerves. :tongue_smilie:

 

My 9th grader has mild LD's, and the high school has been great about helping her transition into high school after 8 yrs of homeschooling.

 

I will, then. We're going to do there and where my ds goes, as well as a couple of other options, including a magnet in a nearby school district. I might even try a private or two to see where we can get with Financial Aid.

[LizzyBee]

My dd had a 2-yr follow up evaluation for her APD. Her phonemic decoding is completely remediated. Yay! She still doesn't hear gaps, which means her brain can't fill in gaps in what she hears. Her dichotic listening skills (competing sounds) are improved, but still below normal. The audiologist said that the kids who have issues with dichotic listening are the ones who have APD for life. We will go back in 2-3 years for the next follow-up evaluation.

 

Moving on to the point...

 

The audiologist recommended homeschooling for at least 1-2 more years. I really only applied to charter school to keep our options open, but dd wants to go to school and I started thinking we could make it work. However, her SLP doesn't think she should go, her audiologist doesn't think she should go, and after talking to the school administrator I have misgivings. Everything is pointing to continuing homeschooling, and dh is perfectly content to continue. I ordered a Verticy print catalog so that dh can decide if he wants to use Verticy. They also offer webinars about the curriculum, so we'll do one of those, too.