physical education--grading policies
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Cathy Barr
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2003 6:14 pm
physical education--grading policies
My OBPI teen daughter took summer school PE in order to be able to take a full load of academic courses. She is a sophomore, has been in the same school district throughout her public school years. We have previously had an excellent relationship with principals, counselors, school nurses, and teachers who willingly made the needed accommodations for her--without the 504c paperwork. However, we have now hit the rough spot in the road--and this PE teacher did not make the accommodations. Her previously straight A transcript is now "ruined," as is her GPA. She is in a very academically competitive school--and her straight A's were a source of extreme pride.
Has anyone else experienced a similar problem?
How did you handle this? And were you successful in getting the grade changed?
Has anyone else experienced a similar problem?
How did you handle this? And were you successful in getting the grade changed?
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Angela Butterfly
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- Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2003 4:24 pm
Re: physical education--grading policies
Hi Cathy, You might not like all of my answer, but here goes. My 3rd daughter, born in as many years had severe LOBPI, affecting her left torso, shoulder, arm, hand & fingers. Therapy did work and she did get good return, although not perfect. When necessary for grading, she had to do modified wall pushups. For volleyball she wore a toe seperator on her left hand to enable her to serve the ball.
Generally, when possible I went in and talked to each new P.E. teacher, in the early part of school. However, by high school, that was Jill's job. She did not like to talk to the teachers about it. In High School I remember one P.E. teacher had each student fill out a form. One of the questions was asking about any medical, etc conditions. Generally allowences were made. However, Jill did not always get an A in P.E. Sometimes, I do believe it was based more on attitude and her willingness to participate to her best ability.
That said my daughter also strived for A's. So much so that she was courted by one of 2 Junior Colleges, that serve our district. She had already been accepted to a four year college when she got a letter from a Junior college she had not applied to. She was offered a full 2 year and 2 summer, academic scholarship. She did graduate H.S. in 2002, #11, in her class of 150 students. Along the way she did get a B now and then. And yes I do believe sometimes it was in P.E. A "B" is not the end of the world.
Jill, now 19, decided to take the scholarship and go to the Junior College instead. This was a tough decision for her, and I stayed out of it. It was her decision and I fully supported her in it. She is going fast track and hopes to get her bachelors in K-12 Art Education within 3 years, by going full steam ahead summer classes too.
You and your daughter still have plenty of reasons to be proud. She is doing a fantastic job. Of course it is always a good idea to talk to the teacher, and worth a try. Angela
Generally, when possible I went in and talked to each new P.E. teacher, in the early part of school. However, by high school, that was Jill's job. She did not like to talk to the teachers about it. In High School I remember one P.E. teacher had each student fill out a form. One of the questions was asking about any medical, etc conditions. Generally allowences were made. However, Jill did not always get an A in P.E. Sometimes, I do believe it was based more on attitude and her willingness to participate to her best ability.
That said my daughter also strived for A's. So much so that she was courted by one of 2 Junior Colleges, that serve our district. She had already been accepted to a four year college when she got a letter from a Junior college she had not applied to. She was offered a full 2 year and 2 summer, academic scholarship. She did graduate H.S. in 2002, #11, in her class of 150 students. Along the way she did get a B now and then. And yes I do believe sometimes it was in P.E. A "B" is not the end of the world.
Jill, now 19, decided to take the scholarship and go to the Junior College instead. This was a tough decision for her, and I stayed out of it. It was her decision and I fully supported her in it. She is going fast track and hopes to get her bachelors in K-12 Art Education within 3 years, by going full steam ahead summer classes too.
You and your daughter still have plenty of reasons to be proud. She is doing a fantastic job. Of course it is always a good idea to talk to the teacher, and worth a try. Angela
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admin
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Re: physical education--grading policies
Consult with a lawyer. Your daughters might be ble to take an elective in place of PE as I did in college. You should be able to have her excussed from taking PE by presenting a doctors note confirming her BPI.
Re: physical education--grading policies
Hi Cathy,
When I was in college, I got a doctors note that confirmed my OBPI and was excussed from taking PE, and took an elective instead. If You can't get the PE dropped and grade removed, then I would suggest consulting a lawyer. There are a number of lawyers who can be found on the internet that specialize in BPI cases. Here are a few sites that might help. http://www.1800theeagle.com/index.htm
http://www.birthinjury.com/resources.html
Good luck.
P.S. PE was always a problem for me so I got into the habit of getting myself excused from PE before taking it.
When I was in college, I got a doctors note that confirmed my OBPI and was excussed from taking PE, and took an elective instead. If You can't get the PE dropped and grade removed, then I would suggest consulting a lawyer. There are a number of lawyers who can be found on the internet that specialize in BPI cases. Here are a few sites that might help. http://www.1800theeagle.com/index.htm
http://www.birthinjury.com/resources.html
Good luck.
P.S. PE was always a problem for me so I got into the habit of getting myself excused from PE before taking it.
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admin
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Re: physical education--grading policies
Cathy
Browsing the internet and just happened upon this site. I am a physical education teacher in the elementary school. I am also a parent with a son that graduated from high school and since middle school hated physical education class and did not take the class in high school.
As a teacher, it has always helped to talk with the child’s parent about any physical or health limitations. I also send a form for parents to fill out about any limitations. This has become even more important because of the privacy law. Teachers cannot ask students about things that are considered private. I have a child that must use a walker. I cannot ask the child any questions concerning physical condition. Without talking to parents and the limitation form, I would not have all necessary knowledge about the children to make appropriate modifications.
It has always been important in my classes that children learn how to make necessary modification themselves. If they don’t how can they make being active a lifestyle? It sounds like Angela’s daughter has learned this.
It is district policy teachers send a letter about grading at the beginning of the year/semester. Your daughter should have been informed of what was necessary to earn the A. All teachers no matter what they teach are to make any necessary modifications for all children. Check your district out about both of these.
The focus in physical education has been shifting throughout the country to more of a health fitness focus. Check out our national association at http://www.aahperd.org for what you can do.
By the way, my son earned his physical education credits as an athletic trainer. He is now pursuing sports medicine therapy as his career.
Browsing the internet and just happened upon this site. I am a physical education teacher in the elementary school. I am also a parent with a son that graduated from high school and since middle school hated physical education class and did not take the class in high school.
As a teacher, it has always helped to talk with the child’s parent about any physical or health limitations. I also send a form for parents to fill out about any limitations. This has become even more important because of the privacy law. Teachers cannot ask students about things that are considered private. I have a child that must use a walker. I cannot ask the child any questions concerning physical condition. Without talking to parents and the limitation form, I would not have all necessary knowledge about the children to make appropriate modifications.
It has always been important in my classes that children learn how to make necessary modification themselves. If they don’t how can they make being active a lifestyle? It sounds like Angela’s daughter has learned this.
It is district policy teachers send a letter about grading at the beginning of the year/semester. Your daughter should have been informed of what was necessary to earn the A. All teachers no matter what they teach are to make any necessary modifications for all children. Check your district out about both of these.
The focus in physical education has been shifting throughout the country to more of a health fitness focus. Check out our national association at http://www.aahperd.org for what you can do.
By the way, my son earned his physical education credits as an athletic trainer. He is now pursuing sports medicine therapy as his career.
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Michelle_16
Re: physical education--grading policies
This situation is unfair to your daughter, i have experienced similar and it does seem like the end of the world.
As most of you know im good at music. well in my 5th Year of high school i sat my music exam and an external examiner comes and assesses you, so anyway i played my piano and horn and thought i done and good job. My teachers said i wouldget an A without a doubt and when i got my results i got a C. A C! i cried alot over it and asked my teachers wot had happened and they said they didnt know because my prefromance was terrific but they were tryin to find out about this A. so on, about a month later i was asked into the school to speak to the head teacher and the music teacher to discuss the grade. cos this meant i could take Advanced music this year and i wouldnt get to do it at college. Well they had contacted the examinin body and asked about y my grade was so low and they had got back to them with the notes on my preformance and it was basically she said my music was amazing, i had great sense of style, it was beautiful to hear but my posture of my right side was RIDICULOUS! so i got a C for that. I didnt get it changed bcos I would have to resit but the school did make allowances and let me in to the advanced class and the next yr when the examiner came in i explained the injury to him and asked if he was going to mark posture do it from the left and he was great. i got an A.
I think the teacher has to be fully aware. We could be brilliant at a sport but someone is that bit better bcos our arm holds us back. its really unfair when it comes to marking and grading bcos its not often a teacher comes across somethin like that i dont think so they would have to make special allowances for one person, and you know what schools are like.
I hope your daughter gets this sorted out/
Michellex
As most of you know im good at music. well in my 5th Year of high school i sat my music exam and an external examiner comes and assesses you, so anyway i played my piano and horn and thought i done and good job. My teachers said i wouldget an A without a doubt and when i got my results i got a C. A C! i cried alot over it and asked my teachers wot had happened and they said they didnt know because my prefromance was terrific but they were tryin to find out about this A. so on, about a month later i was asked into the school to speak to the head teacher and the music teacher to discuss the grade. cos this meant i could take Advanced music this year and i wouldnt get to do it at college. Well they had contacted the examinin body and asked about y my grade was so low and they had got back to them with the notes on my preformance and it was basically she said my music was amazing, i had great sense of style, it was beautiful to hear but my posture of my right side was RIDICULOUS! so i got a C for that. I didnt get it changed bcos I would have to resit but the school did make allowances and let me in to the advanced class and the next yr when the examiner came in i explained the injury to him and asked if he was going to mark posture do it from the left and he was great. i got an A.
I think the teacher has to be fully aware. We could be brilliant at a sport but someone is that bit better bcos our arm holds us back. its really unfair when it comes to marking and grading bcos its not often a teacher comes across somethin like that i dont think so they would have to make special allowances for one person, and you know what schools are like.
I hope your daughter gets this sorted out/
Michellex
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hope16_05
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2003 11:33 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 28 years old with a right obstetrical brachial plexus injury. 5 surgeries to date with pretty decent results. Last surgery resolved years of pain in my right arm however, I am beginning my journey with overuse in my left arm
- Location: Minnesota
- Contact:
Re: physical education--grading policies
As an obpi teen I know how important it is to get the straight A's, they give a sort of confidence and a boost in self esteem. As for P.E. It is very important that the teacher knows all about the injury, and yes it can be embarrassing to have to tell your teachers that you can not do the same stuff as the other kids. If the teacher knows they tend to grade on your attitude and willingness to try every thing at least once and if you still cant do it try to come up with an alternitive that you can do such as the wall push ups instead of the regular push ups.
I would really like to talk to your daughter through msn messenger and or email. My email address is hope16_05@hotmail.com as is my msn messenger.
I am a junior in high school, I am turning 17 in February. I hope that you will pass this info on to your daughter so we can support each other.
Hope things get better for her,
Amy
I would really like to talk to your daughter through msn messenger and or email. My email address is hope16_05@hotmail.com as is my msn messenger.
I am a junior in high school, I am turning 17 in February. I hope that you will pass this info on to your daughter so we can support each other.
Hope things get better for her,
Amy
Amy 28 years old ROBPI from MN
Re: physical education--grading policies
First, let me start out by saying that I am very agressive with my actions. My daughter has OBPI, and I see it as only OBPI. I believe she can do anything, in her own way of course. BUT, the fact is, she has limitations and even though I am to stubborn to admit, she has a slight disability. Therefore, under the laws of any state in the US, the schools have to accomodate her. I expect my daughter to try to participate, but I expect the school to see that she is not able to give 100% in every activity. Under disabled laws they have to grade per the childs limitations. I would first speak with the teacher and principal, if they would not change the grade I would inform them that I was going to the school board, and I would follow through. If nothing was done there, I would be sitting in a lawyers office. I understand that some people would say it is just a grade, but it is more than that to your child. OBPI children struggle with being "normal", and who is any teacher or any person who puts them down for not being what they consider "normal". You have to fight, not only for your child, but for any future children who would be confronted with this problem.
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admin
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Re: physical education--grading policies
Thank you to all who have replied to my query for info. We are still trying to resolve the matter: first through discussion with the teacher and the summer school principal. The summer school principal stated that it is a matter of policy that "no modifications" are to be made during summer school PE. Of course, this is after the session is over, and after I had repeatedly contacted the school with information regarding my daughter's OBPI, the resulting physical limitations, her abilities, and her needs.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT A GRADE. THE ISSUE IS THE REFUSAL TO MAKE NECESSARY ACCOMMODATIONS. The grade was the "red flag" that alerted us to the fact that--in spite of my requests--no accommodations were made. [In fact, she has--without the accommodations--attained 94 of the 100 points, including 5 extra credit points. It takes a 95 to get an "A."
One of the requirements for getting a "A" in the course was to be able to run a mile in less than 8 minutes. Her time, after repeated trials, was 8:33. In our conference, the teacher stated that if she had run the mile at 8:30 she would have had enough points to bump her grade to an "A."
The email I got today states that the summer school principal has investigated, and that my daughter's previous PE teachers have stated--and I quote--"that no modifications to the curriculum were made for" my daughter.
Have I called a lawyer? You bet. No modifications for my daughter in 11 years of public schooling, after I have made every effort to inform the school of her needs and have made specific requests! You bet I've contacted a lawyer.
It's not the grade--No, the issue is the voluntary compliance in making fair accommodations.
My daughter can survive a B+ or an A- or even a C. But the school system must be held accountable for refusing to make accommodations for her and for other students with the same needs.
That's what I'm fighting for.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT A GRADE. THE ISSUE IS THE REFUSAL TO MAKE NECESSARY ACCOMMODATIONS. The grade was the "red flag" that alerted us to the fact that--in spite of my requests--no accommodations were made. [In fact, she has--without the accommodations--attained 94 of the 100 points, including 5 extra credit points. It takes a 95 to get an "A."
One of the requirements for getting a "A" in the course was to be able to run a mile in less than 8 minutes. Her time, after repeated trials, was 8:33. In our conference, the teacher stated that if she had run the mile at 8:30 she would have had enough points to bump her grade to an "A."
The email I got today states that the summer school principal has investigated, and that my daughter's previous PE teachers have stated--and I quote--"that no modifications to the curriculum were made for" my daughter.
Have I called a lawyer? You bet. No modifications for my daughter in 11 years of public schooling, after I have made every effort to inform the school of her needs and have made specific requests! You bet I've contacted a lawyer.
It's not the grade--No, the issue is the voluntary compliance in making fair accommodations.
My daughter can survive a B+ or an A- or even a C. But the school system must be held accountable for refusing to make accommodations for her and for other students with the same needs.
That's what I'm fighting for.
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admin
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- Joined: Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:59 pm
Re: physical education--grading policies
I hope all goes well for you in your struggles. It is sad that the "system" makes us fight for what the law says we are entitled to. I glad that others feel that they have to fight for future children too, sometimes I get tired of hearing that I should only fight for my childs rights and forget other's problems. I just feel like I would love to not have the struggles and everything go smoothly, but since we are the first noted BPI situation in the town I live in, we are comfronted with a lot of struggles. Hopefully, with people like us, some one in the future will have it a little easier because people are educated with BPI. Good luck and God Bless!
