It’s that time of the year again: Parents are starting to receive notices that their children are at risk for being retained. So what do you do? Who do you talk to?
In the State of Florida, the principal has sole decision making authority as to whether or not the student is retained except, of course, if the child has failed the third grade FSA. If that happens, there are some other options to try and help the child pass to fourth grade. Here is some information from the Florida Department of Education: 3rd Grade Retention
If your child is at risk for being retained, it is the principal’s decision. It is not a decision for an IEP team if your child has an IEP. You as a parent do not have a vote in the process and you do not make the final decision: The principal does.
If your child is failing then chances are they either need an individualized education plan (IEP) or their existing IEP or 504 Plan needs to be improved. We would argue there is not a stronger indicator of a child needing more help in school than an announcement the child is at risk for being retained.
For help qualifying for an IEP, or getting more services from public school, call us at 407-342-298-7036.
