FERPA (Academic Privacy) Question

PuerhTuocha
Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:35:21 +0000

They want the engaging kids to make it. They want the attractive, witty kids to make it. The overweight boy who comes to class and sits down and doesn’t make eye contact with anyone…they don’t even know he’s there, much less care if he makes it. I totally “get” why teachers don’t warm to autistic students … the vast majority of the citizens of the world don’t warm to autistic people…but I still think he deserves to be able to earn a college degree.

I feel for you. I have a daughter with an LD and one of the most difficult things to help with is to convince teachers because she is quiet and well behaved that she is learning or getting an education. It’s the rowdy kids with ADHD etc. who get the attention, for better or worse. The quiet kid who doesn’t cause trouble - or get engaged in the class - is, as you say, invisible.

Your son does deserve a college degree. Maybe you need to go up the food chain at the Disabilities Office. It sounds more like you’re dealing with a public elementary school’s idea of an IEP than actual useful accommodations with a committed academic partner.