I work with a student after school who gets Intensive Individual Support Services. He’s spent most of his life in the hospital and is currently about eight grade levels behind in academics.
Even though he’s so far behind, he’s given the same assignments as his classmates. When I help him, it feels like I’m doing most of the work for him because of how much support he needs.
How much support should I really give? Should I let him fail some assignments? If he does fail, will it reflect poorly on my work in the school?
You shouldn’t have to figure this out alone. Talk to a supervisor or administrator to find a good balance.
The sad reality is that the system has failed this child repeatedly. Expecting him to do work eight years above his level is unfair and unrealistic. He deserves work that’s suited to where he is academically so he can make progress.
@Alex1
Check his IEP and follow the accommodations and modifications it lists. If there are modifications, he might not be on track to graduate traditionally. You can ask the case manager if you’re unsure. Usually, students in this situation are graded on progress toward IEP goals rather than the standard grade-level curriculum. Look at his goals and focus on helping him meet them.
This is tough, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. I’ve worked with similar students, and it’s hard to make the right call sometimes.
Does he care about learning? Does the school care about his progress, or are they more focused on passing him along? If he cares, meet him where he’s at academically and help him build from there. If he and the school seem less concerned, maybe shift your focus to making the material engaging and achievable for him.
@VAL09
He tries really hard. He’s even joined our Zoom meetings from the hospital a few times. He’s medically fragile and probably won’t be able to work after graduation. His parents just want him to have as normal a life as possible. He wishes he were healthy more than anything.
@Noah8
In that case, just help him pass. Adding failure on top of everything else he’s dealing with won’t help anyone. Focus on making things a bit easier for him while still giving him a sense of achievement.
@Noah8
If he’s trying, adjust the work to his level. Don’t just make it easier—try to make it meaningful and interesting. He’s putting in effort, so give him the best education you can while being fair with grading.
Failing him would make you look bad. Did he fail last year? He’s been ill and can’t catch up on years of missed material quickly. Try adjusting the assignments so he can do more without needing as much help from you.
@KnowledgeExpert1
He’s never failed a class before. In fact, his report card is mostly A’s, but I’m pretty sure his parents do a lot of the work for him.
Noah8 said: @KnowledgeExpert1
He’s never failed a class before. In fact, his report card is mostly A’s, but I’m pretty sure his parents do a lot of the work for him.
It’s so frustrating that the system works this way. They should have a plan that gives him developmentally appropriate work while including him socially. It’s unfair to dump this responsibility entirely on teachers. These kids deserve their own curriculum and a chance to interact with peers in a way that works for everyone.
@BookwormBard
Having their own curriculum and social inclusion sounds nice, but it’s hard to do. Same-age peers often won’t see him as an equal. This isn’t just about designing a plan—it’s about execution.
@Alexie
Are you serious? This isn’t rocket science. We’ve done far more complex things than this. It’s entirely possible to give a student work they can handle and still let them spend time with peers.
@BookwormBard
This kid spends most of his time in a hospital bed. Even if you came up with the perfect plan, he might not be able to interact with his peers much anyway.
Lily said: @BookwormBard
This kid spends most of his time in a hospital bed. Even if you came up with the perfect plan, he might not be able to interact with his peers much anyway.
It sounds like he’s not getting any meaningful education at all, just sitting in a class that’s far beyond his level. That’s not fair to him.
@BookwormBard
Making a plan is one thing, but executing it while also serving the other students fairly is another challenge. Plus, kids can tell when someone is far behind, and it’s hard to force social connections.