Been there and learnt that. When child one struggled we did endless assessments and meetings and therapy sessions, and nothing ever changed. Child was unhappy and not learning, school was unhappy and complaining. When child three struggled we changed to an alternative school with part time home instruction. Change was immediate and we are all happy 10 years on.

“The mindsets and culture of most schools are usually so well set and interlocking that nothing can budge. “

Could the reason be because schools make the student adapt to the school, rather than the school adapting to the students?  The school was forever trying to force my child into a square peg, so she would fit in with the other square pegs.

It would be interesting if a study was conducted on the schools that are doing well, to see what they are doing differently. There is a school about 75 kms away from where I live, that is doing better overall in achievement, compared to the local school. And yet it is dealing with a much different configuration of the social variables, with their fair share of low-income students, plus far less access to stores, health facilities, etc, The only difference that I have observed, is the school makes sure that the primary students have a firm foundation in reading, writing and basic numeracy. This particular school, has more LD students than the average school, because many families have moved into the area, so their children can learned how to read and write. The school has become well-known to teach all children, and it shows in the achievement levels. I even wanted my child to go to this school, but I could not find a house to live nearby, and the alternative was driving 75 kms, over some of the worst roads in the province, which would take 4 hours of my day. Throw in the moose and storms,  this option became a non-option.