If you’re a regular reader here I’m sure you know all the trouble I have had with my son Justin, and school. He was suppose to get held back for 7th grade, but his school let him advance to 8th grade, but he couldn’t take any electives. He had to take his Math7 over again.
Well, as much as I thought it was a fresh start for him, it didn’t end up that way. All of the classes were just too much for him, and he was failing them all. I spoke to his counselor who was no help at all, and I thought there was just nothing we could do. I started looking around the school district website and found a program called Back On Track. We had a meeting with the principal on Thursday, and she accepted him into the program.
Basically what happens is he doesn’t go to school, and he’s on independent study. He has his text book, and his all his work assignments that he does at home, then on Wednesday he goes in to test. Normally he would do one class at a time, but he told her that he wants to go to the high school in August of next year (the scheduled time he would normally go), so she gave him two classes. He has Math7, and English8 to start.
So he is responsible for doing his school work at home, while we are both at work. I know…scary huh? I’m going to see how he does for the next two weeks before the holiday break, and if he’s struggling then I want to find a college student to come in and help him. Maybe. I’m not too sure about that part yet. I have someone in mind, but I know she’s busy. I may call her and run it by her to see what she thinks.
We do think this is a positive thing though, and he seemed like he was really listening to the principal as she was telling him how important it is to stay on track, or they will drop him from the program. After the meeting we went to In N Out and had lunch. He was really happy and smiling, and I think a weight was lifted off his shoulders. I know one was lifted off ours. We laid down to watch a movie at about 4:00PM, and we slept until the alarm went off this morning at 5:30AM!!!
junior high school, 7th Grade, Independent Study, Back on Track
On this day..
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- You Won't Be Taking Advantage of Me Anymore - 2006
- My New Condo!!!!!!! - 2006
- She's Got A Basketball In Her Belly - 2006
- Oh Smell the Peruvian Lilies - Heavenly! - 2006
Comments
I’m glad you found an alternative solution for your son’s problem. Regarding the fact that he has to study at home while you work it’s kind of tricky, his attention can be driven to TV or video games. Does he has the will to study or it is something he’s not really looking forward to?
Scary, yes, Julie, but it’s also your big chance to reinforce the trust you have in Justin. Let me know if I can help. Have him email me with English questions if you want. I’ll do what I can!
Laura - Thnaks! He has a positive attitude about it, and he even started his English last night on a Friday night! We do have parental controls on the TV and internet, so we can restrict his access when we’re at work.
Thanks Tammie, that is a generous offer. I will make sure he knows.
I hope this is the answer for you. I know it’s scary to make such a big change, but maybe it will be a way for him to make a difference. Glad to hear about the positive attitude. Keep us updated on his progress!
I’m so glad he was accepted into the program
Very interesting, Julie. I hope this is the thing that really clicks for Justin.
Question - if he only has two classes, how can he go to the next grade? What about the credits for the other courses? What kind of support does the school give for this program? I’d love to hear more about it - very intriguing concept!
Thanks Deb! You know I’ll be updating!
Amy - he has two classes to “start”, and he had to set goals for when he would finish with the principal. He elected to finish them in 4 weeks each. When these two are done, then he will have two more (Science & Math8). Ending up with all his 8th grade credits to move onto 9th grade.
Then if he wants to, he can take a 9th grade class during summer school, and actually get ahead on credits. She suggested this, as a way to keep good study habits.
They have a website where he can login and get support, and submit his progress. They evaluate that, and make sure he is staying on track. He will also go to class every Wednesday for testing, and any instruction he needs help with.
I hope that answers your questions!
Whitney on 8 December, 2007 at 3:16 pm
That’s great news! Two of my kids struggle also, and a program like that would be great for them. It’s great that your school district works with kids that want to succeed but aren’t. Too many just get left behind and the district doesn’t care. Sounds like he’s really into it and will do well!
This is very neat Jules. I hope that it works out well. I like that they have a website where he can submit stuff and get support. I was going to suggest that you have him blog about the experience and we could comment and keep him motivated. No need I guess.
That would be really neat Techie! He use to have a blog, but we lost it when our host went under, and mommy didn’t have a backup 
Thanks Whitney. I had to really do some digging to find this program, so it wouldn’t hurt for you to look and ask around also. There might just be something like that for your kids. Good luck with the struggle! It sure can make a mommy crazy!
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