Going to School
Going to School
This documentary was reporting about children with special needs in the LA county school district who were being integrating into the general education classroom. The documentary showed three success cases where students were actually placed into general education classrooms and working with their peers. However, this would have never been the case until someone sued the district for not providing services for students in special education. A lot of the parents wanted their children to be in gen ed classrooms in their own school districts and not bussed to a “special” school because that is where all of the other kids went. It is not fair to bus a student out of the district because it is very difficult for them to have a normal social life and the gen ed classrooms are more rigorous which pushes the students with special needs in a good way. A lot of the work was done by one mom, who set up an office that parents could use as a resource. The office explained to the parents what an IEP was and what rights their students are afforded. This office helps parents to figure out the system so that they can make sure the school team of counselors, special educators, teachers, therapists, etc. are all working together to get their child what they need.
One of the things that I found astounding was the fact that one of the moms did not even know that the district was supposed to pay for an aid for her son and she spent three years going to school with him EVERY DAY and being his aid. This is actually insane, and I have no idea how no one could have told her what resources her son had a right to get. She was in debt from all of her sons medical bills yet she couldn’t get a job because she had to be his aid in school. That is so messed up. Anyway, she was a really strong individual and eventually figured out the system and now she helps other parents to navigate the system. She still acknowledges that it can still be tough to get students the resources they need. For example, one student benefited from speech assistive technology and his technology was broken for months. Another example is that it is especially difficult for families who speak a language other than English.
As I was watching the movie, I was thinking about all of the students in my classes who have IEPs. "As one of the nine districts in the State of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Department of Education has cited the Providence Public School District as having significantly high disproportionality in several special education categories." This is obviously really bad, but I do not know what anyone is doing about it. No one ever talks to me about it at least. Along with certain minority/ethnic groups being overrepresented in the special education system at Hope, I am not even sure if the students who need those services are having their needs met. I know each special educator has a lot of kids on their caseloads and they work really hard but it is still very difficult for them because they are spread so thin. However, I can't say that any student's needs are not being met because I do not know enough about the special education department at Hope. Also, most of the services are given in the math and english classes, and not in science so it is kind of difficult for me to evaluate. I know for a fact that I look at every student’s IEP and make sure that I am following the guidelines. For example, I will give them extra time on tests if that is what they need. Or I will give them preferential seating in the front, or help them with organization, or even modify materials, if that is what their IEP says they need. What I don’t do a good job of though, is progress monitoring. Most of the goals that are written in their IEPs are for math, reading, or writing, and I kind of ignore them because I figure that the math and english teachers are taking care of it. But I have never checked to make sure they are… and I have never asked them what they are doing that is working well for the student in their class that I could possibly implement in my class. I really need to get better at communicating to other teachers who have more experience and knowledge so that I can best support my students with IEPs, especially because I am never given support teachers in my class because it is a science class.
Hi Haley, great post, I love the picture at the end! I was equally shocked and disappointed when I watched that boy's mother having to be his aid for THREE years because she was unaware of the services offered to her.
ReplyDeleteHaley, I too was surprised that the district allowed a parent to be an aid for her son and choose not to inform her that he had the right to have this support at the district's expense. (Not to mention, how that was allowed) And there it is, the expense. With that being said, all parents need to become acquainted with their child's rights and take advantage of the advisory meetings offered in each district. Knowledge is power.
ReplyDeleteHi Haley, GREAT Dumbledore quote, and it is so fitting and true. Richard's mom is amazing isn't she. I feel the district owes her back pay for acting as his aide for 3 years, WITH BENEFITS!! It is disgusting that NOT ONE PERSON in 3 years told her that the district was required to provide an aide for him. As awful as all that is she is using what she learned in those 3 years and paying it forward by helping new to the process parents get the accommodations their children deserve. Great job!
ReplyDeleteHaley, awesome Post! I was also in shock hearing that parents were not informed about what services should be legally provided to their children. It is presumptive and incorrect to think all parents know the ins-and-outs of the IEP and special education process. Keeping that information from parents is unfair and unjust. Like you I definitely need to take action and be better at tracking progress and being an advocate for my students with special needs. It is difficult being a new teacher and trying to balance all these aspects of our students lives but I think if we educate ourselves and remain aware we can make a positive change.
ReplyDeleteHaley, I appreciate your candor in your knowledge and implementation of special education. I too sometimes feel as though students are not getting what they need because the special educators have enormous case loads and are spread so thin. I also feel as though I would like some more education on special education and how to best help my students. I do think that it interesting that Providence has such a high number of students with IEP's and as you said most of these students (due to the population of the district) are Hispanic or Black.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your self reflection in noticing what you are and are not doing well in supporting your own students. It is painful that there are so few institutional supports in place to help you better track the progress in the IEPs of your own students. I am glad that this text made you think about it in new ways.
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