Violence in Kindergarten- Sligo Creek Elementary

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an admin, let me remind you these “problem children” are protected under laws. Expulsion, suspension and exclusion are absolute last resorts and a lot of documentation and sign-off’s are needed. It rarely happens. Everything is done to keep the child in class, least restrictive environment, and minimizing learning instruction. These protections include ADHD, ED, mental illnesses along with learning disabilities. You might not like it but those children have just as much right as your child to be at school. Having said that, that is why all three of my children are in private schools.

This really sums it up. So many administrators aren't going to help teachers and will watch as teachers are assaulted over and over again and are fine that kids are witnessing violence every day that really affects them. Students aren't feeling safe at school. The least restrictive environment is different for every student who is in special education. It is the least restrictive environment WHENEVER POSSIBLE that works for the student to receive educational benefit and keep everyone safe. The law states "...special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”

[20 U.S.C. Sec. 1412(a)(5)(A); 34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.114; Cal. Ed. Code Sec. 56342(b).]

A student who is incredibly violent in a general education classroom shouldn't be in a general education classroom because it is not the least restrictive environment for that student because it cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Some students just can't cope with being with 20 to 25 other kids in a class and need to be in a class with 8 students where they are working on emotional regulation. A good administrator does everything in his or her power to make this happen.

The key phrase there is "such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily."

The issue is that MCPS doesn't want to provide those supplementary aids and services. So even if you can find a principal who wants to get rid of a kid, it is going to be pretty easy for the parents to challenge an alternative placement until they've been provided and failed.

The real question is why is MCPS not providing the help. These kids are begging for help. It's tragic as it will cost more long term rather than getting them the help they need early on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids went to SCES many years ago, but I am really surprised by these reactions. Why don't you all organize yourselves and actually do something to help. There may be an issue with the principle, but clearly more support for the teachers in the classroom is needed. You all are supposed to be a community.

The only thing a parent volunteer could do is engage the other 24 kids in the class, or some subsection of them. Letting an untrained parent interact with a child who has already driven one teacher out of the profession, and hospitalized another, is a terrible idea and absolutely rife for litigation.

While true, it's not that different from paraeducators, who also get minimal training. Heck, you could let the parents take the same online training.

Sligo's situation is particularly bad because they don't even have a special educator there to informally train the paraeducators on-the-job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an admin, let me remind you these “problem children” are protected under laws. Expulsion, suspension and exclusion are absolute last resorts and a lot of documentation and sign-off’s are needed. It rarely happens. Everything is done to keep the child in class, least restrictive environment, and minimizing learning instruction. These protections include ADHD, ED, mental illnesses along with learning disabilities. You might not like it but those children have just as much right as your child to be at school. Having said that, that is why all three of my children are in private schools.

This really sums it up. So many administrators aren't going to help teachers and will watch as teachers are assaulted over and over again and are fine that kids are witnessing violence every day that really affects them. Students aren't feeling safe at school. The least restrictive environment is different for every student who is in special education. It is the least restrictive environment WHENEVER POSSIBLE that works for the student to receive educational benefit and keep everyone safe. The law states "...special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”

[20 U.S.C. Sec. 1412(a)(5)(A); 34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.114; Cal. Ed. Code Sec. 56342(b).]

A student who is incredibly violent in a general education classroom shouldn't be in a general education classroom because it is not the least restrictive environment for that student because it cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Some students just can't cope with being with 20 to 25 other kids in a class and need to be in a class with 8 students where they are working on emotional regulation. A good administrator does everything in his or her power to make this happen.

The key phrase there is "such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily."

The issue is that MCPS doesn't want to provide those supplementary aids and services. So even if you can find a principal who wants to get rid of a kid, it is going to be pretty easy for the parents to challenge an alternative placement until they've been provided and failed.

The real question is why is MCPS not providing the help. These kids are begging for help. It's tragic as it will cost more long term rather than getting them the help they need early on.

It's expensive. And it is politically expedient to simply blame the problems on the kids themselves, rather than blaming the BoE and central administration for not providing the necessary resources.

Just look at this thread. Clearly everyone- teachers, students, parents- would be better off if the school devoted more resources to helping this child. But instead posters started lynching the child and their parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Things like this keep happening because principals and teachers have their hands tied. Parents who are not witnessing it first hand keep denying it, but it is a widespread issue. I am so sorry to hear about these specific issues and agree that a small group of aggressive students keep everyone hostage. And of course the teachers are quitting!

Violent kids are in the classrooms with no way to remove them. Elementary principals are not allowed to suspend kids or keep them out. Therefore, with no ability to discipline, children and teachers are getting hurt and academics are being impacted. What a mess!

And for those who continually deny this is happening…why???

For what you can do, email the principal and higher about what they are doing to keep your child safe. Keep focus about your own child but be persistent. Have others do the same. If you stay quiet, nothing will change!

How times have changed!

My K was suspended (10+ years ago at a different MCPS) for CHASING a kid in the classroom after recess and TRYING to kick him following some unreported episode on the playground. I can confirm that even back then, supervision on the playground was lacking and parent volunteers were not permitted in the lunchroom or outside at recess.

Other kid received a parent phone call and a stern talk. My kid got a one day of out-of-school suspension (for which I had to request and take a day off from work, with no notice, thankfully with paid leave and an understanding boss).

Seems that MCPS has swung way to far in the other direction.

[Anonymous]

*too far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Things like this keep happening because principals and teachers have their hands tied. Parents who are not witnessing it first hand keep denying it, but it is a widespread issue. I am so sorry to hear about these specific issues and agree that a small group of aggressive students keep everyone hostage. And of course the teachers are quitting!

Violent kids are in the classrooms with no way to remove them. Elementary principals are not allowed to suspend kids or keep them out. Therefore, with no ability to discipline, children and teachers are getting hurt and academics are being impacted. What a mess!

And for those who continually deny this is happening…why???

For what you can do, email the principal and higher about what they are doing to keep your child safe. Keep focus about your own child but be persistent. Have others do the same. If you stay quiet, nothing will change!

How times have changed!

My K was suspended (10+ years ago at a different MCPS) for CHASING a kid in the classroom after recess and TRYING to kick him following some unreported episode on the playground. I can confirm that even back then, supervision on the playground was lacking and parent volunteers were not permitted in the lunchroom or outside at recess.

Other kid received a parent phone call and a stern talk. My kid got a one day of out-of-school suspension (for which I had to request and take a day off from work, with no notice, thankfully with paid leave and an understanding boss).

Seems that MCPS has swung way to far in the other direction.

When there is a serious behavioral issue by a child with disabilities, they need to determine if the behavior was a manifestation of their disability. If it was not, then they can follow the normal disciplinary procedures. If it was, then it is an issue for the IEP team to address regarding services, supports, and placement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an admin, let me remind you these “problem children” are protected under laws. Expulsion, suspension and exclusion are absolute last resorts and a lot of documentation and sign-off’s are needed. It rarely happens. Everything is done to keep the child in class, least restrictive environment, and minimizing learning instruction. These protections include ADHD, ED, mental illnesses along with learning disabilities. You might not like it but those children have just as much right as your child to be at school. Having said that, that is why all three of my children are in private schools.

This really sums it up. So many administrators aren't going to help teachers and will watch as teachers are assaulted over and over again and are fine that kids are witnessing violence every day that really affects them. Students aren't feeling safe at school. The least restrictive environment is different for every student who is in special education. It is the least restrictive environment WHENEVER POSSIBLE that works for the student to receive educational benefit and keep everyone safe. The law states "...special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”

[20 U.S.C. Sec. 1412(a)(5)(A); 34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.114; Cal. Ed. Code Sec. 56342(b).]

A student who is incredibly violent in a general education classroom shouldn't be in a general education classroom because it is not the least restrictive environment for that student because it cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Some students just can't cope with being with 20 to 25 other kids in a class and need to be in a class with 8 students where they are working on emotional regulation. A good administrator does everything in his or her power to make this happen.

The key phrase there is "such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily."

The issue is that MCPS doesn't want to provide those supplementary aids and services. So even if you can find a principal who wants to get rid of a kid, it is going to be pretty easy for the parents to challenge an alternative placement until they've been provided and failed.

The real question is why is MCPS not providing the help. These kids are begging for help. It's tragic as it will cost more long term rather than getting them the help they need early on.

It's expensive. And it is politically expedient to simply blame the problems on the kids themselves, rather than blaming the BoE and central administration for not providing the necessary resources.

Just look at this thread. Clearly everyone- teachers, students, parents- would be better off if the school devoted more resources to helping this child. But instead posters started lynching the child and their parents.

If we want the necessary resources, we need to be willing to pony up the taxes to fund them. Or we can continue to be under-funded (see the $55.7M gap just proposed by the County Executive), as has been the case for 25 years, now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an admin, let me remind you these “problem children” are protected under laws. Expulsion, suspension and exclusion are absolute last resorts and a lot of documentation and sign-off’s are needed. It rarely happens. Everything is done to keep the child in class, least restrictive environment, and minimizing learning instruction. These protections include ADHD, ED, mental illnesses along with learning disabilities. You might not like it but those children have just as much right as your child to be at school. Having said that, that is why all three of my children are in private schools.

This really sums it up. So many administrators aren't going to help teachers and will watch as teachers are assaulted over and over again and are fine that kids are witnessing violence every day that really affects them. Students aren't feeling safe at school. The least restrictive environment is different for every student who is in special education. It is the least restrictive environment WHENEVER POSSIBLE that works for the student to receive educational benefit and keep everyone safe. The law states "...special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”

[20 U.S.C. Sec. 1412(a)(5)(A); 34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.114; Cal. Ed. Code Sec. 56342(b).]

A student who is incredibly violent in a general education classroom shouldn't be in a general education classroom because it is not the least restrictive environment for that student because it cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Some students just can't cope with being with 20 to 25 other kids in a class and need to be in a class with 8 students where they are working on emotional regulation. A good administrator does everything in his or her power to make this happen.

The key phrase there is "such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily."

The issue is that MCPS doesn't want to provide those supplementary aids and services. So even if you can find a principal who wants to get rid of a kid, it is going to be pretty easy for the parents to challenge an alternative placement until they've been provided and failed.

The real question is why is MCPS not providing the help. These kids are begging for help. It's tragic as it will cost more long term rather than getting them the help they need early on.

It's expensive. And it is politically expedient to simply blame the problems on the kids themselves, rather than blaming the BoE and central administration for not providing the necessary resources.

Just look at this thread. Clearly everyone- teachers, students, parents- would be better off if the school devoted more resources to helping this child. But instead posters started lynching the child and their parents.

If we want the necessary resources, we need to be willing to pony up the taxes to fund them. Or we can continue to be under-funded (see the $55.7M gap just proposed by the County Executive), as has been the case for 25 years, now.

That $55.7 million includes $40 million to plug a gap in the MCPS health insurance fund caused by a mistake in setting premiums. A costly mistake. The County Executive is proposing increasing MCPS's budget from last year's budget by $128 million which is not a small amount.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an admin, let me remind you these “problem children” are protected under laws. Expulsion, suspension and exclusion are absolute last resorts and a lot of documentation and sign-off’s are needed. It rarely happens. Everything is done to keep the child in class, least restrictive environment, and minimizing learning instruction. These protections include ADHD, ED, mental illnesses along with learning disabilities. You might not like it but those children have just as much right as your child to be at school. Having said that, that is why all three of my children are in private schools.

This really sums it up. So many administrators aren't going to help teachers and will watch as teachers are assaulted over and over again and are fine that kids are witnessing violence every day that really affects them. Students aren't feeling safe at school. The least restrictive environment is different for every student who is in special education. It is the least restrictive environment WHENEVER POSSIBLE that works for the student to receive educational benefit and keep everyone safe. The law states "...special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”

[20 U.S.C. Sec. 1412(a)(5)(A); 34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.114; Cal. Ed. Code Sec. 56342(b).]

A student who is incredibly violent in a general education classroom shouldn't be in a general education classroom because it is not the least restrictive environment for that student because it cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Some students just can't cope with being with 20 to 25 other kids in a class and need to be in a class with 8 students where they are working on emotional regulation. A good administrator does everything in his or her power to make this happen.

The key phrase there is "such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily."

The issue is that MCPS doesn't want to provide those supplementary aids and services. So even if you can find a principal who wants to get rid of a kid, it is going to be pretty easy for the parents to challenge an alternative placement until they've been provided and failed.

The real question is why is MCPS not providing the help. These kids are begging for help. It's tragic as it will cost more long term rather than getting them the help they need early on.

It's expensive. And it is politically expedient to simply blame the problems on the kids themselves, rather than blaming the BoE and central administration for not providing the necessary resources.

Just look at this thread. Clearly everyone- teachers, students, parents- would be better off if the school devoted more resources to helping this child. But instead posters started lynching the child and their parents.

If we want the necessary resources, we need to be willing to pony up the taxes to fund them. Or we can continue to be under-funded (see the $55.7M gap just proposed by the County Executive), as has been the case for 25 years, now.

This is more a matter of priorities than resources. If we invested another $100M into MCPS, how much would actually go to providing the necessary supports and services to kids with special needs? Similarly, you don't think, in a budget of $3.3 billion, they could find programs or staff to cut to improve SPED services?

Again, it is easier politically to just blame it on the kids and their parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an admin, let me remind you these “problem children” are protected under laws. Expulsion, suspension and exclusion are absolute last resorts and a lot of documentation and sign-off’s are needed. It rarely happens. Everything is done to keep the child in class, least restrictive environment, and minimizing learning instruction. These protections include ADHD, ED, mental illnesses along with learning disabilities. You might not like it but those children have just as much right as your child to be at school. Having said that, that is why all three of my children are in private schools.

This really sums it up. So many administrators aren't going to help teachers and will watch as teachers are assaulted over and over again and are fine that kids are witnessing violence every day that really affects them. Students aren't feeling safe at school. The least restrictive environment is different for every student who is in special education. It is the least restrictive environment WHENEVER POSSIBLE that works for the student to receive educational benefit and keep everyone safe. The law states "...special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”

[20 U.S.C. Sec. 1412(a)(5)(A); 34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.114; Cal. Ed. Code Sec. 56342(b).]

A student who is incredibly violent in a general education classroom shouldn't be in a general education classroom because it is not the least restrictive environment for that student because it cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Some students just can't cope with being with 20 to 25 other kids in a class and need to be in a class with 8 students where they are working on emotional regulation. A good administrator does everything in his or her power to make this happen.

The key phrase there is "such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily."

The issue is that MCPS doesn't want to provide those supplementary aids and services. So even if you can find a principal who wants to get rid of a kid, it is going to be pretty easy for the parents to challenge an alternative placement until they've been provided and failed.

The real question is why is MCPS not providing the help. These kids are begging for help. It's tragic as it will cost more long term rather than getting them the help they need early on.

It's expensive. And it is politically expedient to simply blame the problems on the kids themselves, rather than blaming the BoE and central administration for not providing the necessary resources.

Just look at this thread. Clearly everyone- teachers, students, parents- would be better off if the school devoted more resources to helping this child. But instead posters started lynching the child and their parents.

If we want the necessary resources, we need to be willing to pony up the taxes to fund them. Or we can continue to be under-funded (see the $55.7M gap just proposed by the County Executive), as has been the case for 25 years, now.

That $55.7 million includes $40 million to plug a gap in the MCPS health insurance fund caused by a mistake in setting premiums. A costly mistake. The County Executive is proposing increasing MCPS's budget from last year's budget by $128 million which is not a small amount.

Not sure that "increase" even keeps up with inflation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an admin, let me remind you these “problem children” are protected under laws. Expulsion, suspension and exclusion are absolute last resorts and a lot of documentation and sign-off’s are needed. It rarely happens. Everything is done to keep the child in class, least restrictive environment, and minimizing learning instruction. These protections include ADHD, ED, mental illnesses along with learning disabilities. You might not like it but those children have just as much right as your child to be at school. Having said that, that is why all three of my children are in private schools.

This really sums it up. So many administrators aren't going to help teachers and will watch as teachers are assaulted over and over again and are fine that kids are witnessing violence every day that really affects them. Students aren't feeling safe at school. The least restrictive environment is different for every student who is in special education. It is the least restrictive environment WHENEVER POSSIBLE that works for the student to receive educational benefit and keep everyone safe. The law states "...special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”

[20 U.S.C. Sec. 1412(a)(5)(A); 34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.114; Cal. Ed. Code Sec. 56342(b).]

A student who is incredibly violent in a general education classroom shouldn't be in a general education classroom because it is not the least restrictive environment for that student because it cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Some students just can't cope with being with 20 to 25 other kids in a class and need to be in a class with 8 students where they are working on emotional regulation. A good administrator does everything in his or her power to make this happen.

The key phrase there is "such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily."

The issue is that MCPS doesn't want to provide those supplementary aids and services. So even if you can find a principal who wants to get rid of a kid, it is going to be pretty easy for the parents to challenge an alternative placement until they've been provided and failed.

The real question is why is MCPS not providing the help. These kids are begging for help. It's tragic as it will cost more long term rather than getting them the help they need early on.

It's expensive. And it is politically expedient to simply blame the problems on the kids themselves, rather than blaming the BoE and central administration for not providing the necessary resources.

Just look at this thread. Clearly everyone- teachers, students, parents- would be better off if the school devoted more resources to helping this child. But instead posters started lynching the child and their parents.

If we want the necessary resources, we need to be willing to pony up the taxes to fund them. Or we can continue to be under-funded (see the $55.7M gap just proposed by the County Executive), as has been the case for 25 years, now.

This is more a matter of priorities than resources. If we invested another $100M into MCPS, how much would actually go to providing the necessary supports and services to kids with special needs? Similarly, you don't think, in a budget of $3.3 billion, they could find programs or staff to cut to improve SPED services?

Again, it is easier politically to just blame it on the kids and their parents.

It probably would take a couple of billion to make up for the chronic underfunding just from a CIP perspective. Of course, that "savings" has cost us every year on the operations/maintenance side. Not saying that the latter amounts to more than the former, but, then again, our kids (or many of them, at least) are losing out on the adequacy side of things -- learning experience, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an admin, let me remind you these “problem children” are protected under laws. Expulsion, suspension and exclusion are absolute last resorts and a lot of documentation and sign-off’s are needed. It rarely happens. Everything is done to keep the child in class, least restrictive environment, and minimizing learning instruction. These protections include ADHD, ED, mental illnesses along with learning disabilities. You might not like it but those children have just as much right as your child to be at school. Having said that, that is why all three of my children are in private schools.

This really sums it up. So many administrators aren't going to help teachers and will watch as teachers are assaulted over and over again and are fine that kids are witnessing violence every day that really affects them. Students aren't feeling safe at school. The least restrictive environment is different for every student who is in special education. It is the least restrictive environment WHENEVER POSSIBLE that works for the student to receive educational benefit and keep everyone safe. The law states "...special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”

[20 U.S.C. Sec. 1412(a)(5)(A); 34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.114; Cal. Ed. Code Sec. 56342(b).]

A student who is incredibly violent in a general education classroom shouldn't be in a general education classroom because it is not the least restrictive environment for that student because it cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Some students just can't cope with being with 20 to 25 other kids in a class and need to be in a class with 8 students where they are working on emotional regulation. A good administrator does everything in his or her power to make this happen.

The key phrase there is "such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily."

The issue is that MCPS doesn't want to provide those supplementary aids and services. So even if you can find a principal who wants to get rid of a kid, it is going to be pretty easy for the parents to challenge an alternative placement until they've been provided and failed.

The real question is why is MCPS not providing the help. These kids are begging for help. It's tragic as it will cost more long term rather than getting them the help they need early on.

It's expensive. And it is politically expedient to simply blame the problems on the kids themselves, rather than blaming the BoE and central administration for not providing the necessary resources.

Just look at this thread. Clearly everyone- teachers, students, parents- would be better off if the school devoted more resources to helping this child. But instead posters started lynching the child and their parents.

If we want the necessary resources, we need to be willing to pony up the taxes to fund them. Or we can continue to be under-funded (see the $55.7M gap just proposed by the County Executive), as has been the case for 25 years, now.

That $55.7 million includes $40 million to plug a gap in the MCPS health insurance fund caused by a mistake in setting premiums. A costly mistake. The County Executive is proposing increasing MCPS's budget from last year's budget by $128 million which is not a small amount.

Not sure that "increase" even keeps up with inflation.

People will say anything as long as it fits with their world view. It wouldn't be that hard to look this up but why would you bother? Inflation is down, my friend. If you look at the increase in benefits costs is much more than the 3.2% inflation we have had over the last 12 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an admin, let me remind you these “problem children” are protected under laws. Expulsion, suspension and exclusion are absolute last resorts and a lot of documentation and sign-off’s are needed. It rarely happens. Everything is done to keep the child in class, least restrictive environment, and minimizing learning instruction. These protections include ADHD, ED, mental illnesses along with learning disabilities. You might not like it but those children have just as much right as your child to be at school. Having said that, that is why all three of my children are in private schools.

This really sums it up. So many administrators aren't going to help teachers and will watch as teachers are assaulted over and over again and are fine that kids are witnessing violence every day that really affects them. Students aren't feeling safe at school. The least restrictive environment is different for every student who is in special education. It is the least restrictive environment WHENEVER POSSIBLE that works for the student to receive educational benefit and keep everyone safe. The law states "...special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”

[20 U.S.C. Sec. 1412(a)(5)(A); 34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.114; Cal. Ed. Code Sec. 56342(b).]

A student who is incredibly violent in a general education classroom shouldn't be in a general education classroom because it is not the least restrictive environment for that student because it cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Some students just can't cope with being with 20 to 25 other kids in a class and need to be in a class with 8 students where they are working on emotional regulation. A good administrator does everything in his or her power to make this happen.

The key phrase there is "such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily."

The issue is that MCPS doesn't want to provide those supplementary aids and services. So even if you can find a principal who wants to get rid of a kid, it is going to be pretty easy for the parents to challenge an alternative placement until they've been provided and failed.

The real question is why is MCPS not providing the help. These kids are begging for help. It's tragic as it will cost more long term rather than getting them the help they need early on.

It's expensive. And it is politically expedient to simply blame the problems on the kids themselves, rather than blaming the BoE and central administration for not providing the necessary resources.

Just look at this thread. Clearly everyone- teachers, students, parents- would be better off if the school devoted more resources to helping this child. But instead posters started lynching the child and their parents.

If we want the necessary resources, we need to be willing to pony up the taxes to fund them. Or we can continue to be under-funded (see the $55.7M gap just proposed by the County Executive), as has been the case for 25 years, now.

That $55.7 million includes $40 million to plug a gap in the MCPS health insurance fund caused by a mistake in setting premiums. A costly mistake. The County Executive is proposing increasing MCPS's budget from last year's budget by $128 million which is not a small amount.

Not sure that "increase" even keeps up with inflation.

People will say anything as long as it fits with their world view. It wouldn't be that hard to look this up but why would you bother? Inflation is down, my friend. If you look at the increase in benefits costs is much more than the 3.2% inflation we have had over the last 12 months.

Look closer. Wage inflation for primary and secondary school teachers for the 12 months ending in December 2023 was over 4.2%:

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/eci.t01.htm

The quarterly increases were 1.1% in March, 0.8% in June, 1.5% in September, 0.8% in December -- 1.011 * 1.008 * 1.015 * 1.008 = 1.0426493146, or about a 4.265% increase for the year. Wages (MoCo has to compete for teachers with other jurisdictions) and construction costs (another higher-than-CPI figure) are the main drivers?

If funding is even $128M more than last year, and not the $107M reported

https://moco360.media/2024/03/14/elrich-no-need-to-raise-property-taxes-to-pay-for-proposed-7-1-billion-operating-budget/

that would be maybe a 3.9% increase on a $3.3B budget (maybe 3.25% if only the $107M reported). So not as much as the appropriate inflation comparator. Meanwhile, the county budget as a whole was lifted 4.9%. Wonder where their priorities are, and have been for decades, now...

The article even quotes the county Chief Administrative Officer as saying,

"While we have a record amount of money on a per pupil basis for the upcoming year, when you compare it to inflation-adjusted dollars, we’re still not quite up to the level we were in the timeframe right before the Great Recession."

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Anonymous wrote:As an admin, let me remind you these “problem children” are protected under laws. Expulsion, suspension and exclusion are absolute last resorts and a lot of documentation and sign-off’s are needed. It rarely happens. Everything is done to keep the child in class, least restrictive environment, and minimizing learning instruction. These protections include ADHD, ED, mental illnesses along with learning disabilities. You might not like it but those children have just as much right as your child to be at school. Having said that, that is why all three of my children are in private schools.

This really sums it up. So many administrators aren't going to help teachers and will watch as teachers are assaulted over and over again and are fine that kids are witnessing violence every day that really affects them. Students aren't feeling safe at school. The least restrictive environment is different for every student who is in special education. It is the least restrictive environment WHENEVER POSSIBLE that works for the student to receive educational benefit and keep everyone safe. The law states "...special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”

[20 U.S.C. Sec. 1412(a)(5)(A); 34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.114; Cal. Ed. Code Sec. 56342(b).]

A student who is incredibly violent in a general education classroom shouldn't be in a general education classroom because it is not the least restrictive environment for that student because it cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Some students just can't cope with being with 20 to 25 other kids in a class and need to be in a class with 8 students where they are working on emotional regulation. A good administrator does everything in his or her power to make this happen.

The key phrase there is "such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily."

The issue is that MCPS doesn't want to provide those supplementary aids and services. So even if you can find a principal who wants to get rid of a kid, it is going to be pretty easy for the parents to challenge an alternative placement until they've been provided and failed.

The real question is why is MCPS not providing the help. These kids are begging for help. It's tragic as it will cost more long term rather than getting them the help they need early on.

It's expensive. And it is politically expedient to simply blame the problems on the kids themselves, rather than blaming the BoE and central administration for not providing the necessary resources.

Just look at this thread. Clearly everyone- teachers, students, parents- would be better off if the school devoted more resources to helping this child. But instead posters started lynching the child and their parents.

If we want the necessary resources, we need to be willing to pony up the taxes to fund them. Or we can continue to be under-funded (see the $55.7M gap just proposed by the County Executive), as has been the case for 25 years, now.

That $55.7 million includes $40 million to plug a gap in the MCPS health insurance fund caused by a mistake in setting premiums. A costly mistake. The County Executive is proposing increasing MCPS's budget from last year's budget by $128 million which is not a small amount.

Not sure that "increase" even keeps up with inflation.

People will say anything as long as it fits with their world view. It wouldn't be that hard to look this up but why would you bother? Inflation is down, my friend. If you look at the increase in benefits costs is much more than the 3.2% inflation we have had over the last 12 months.

Look closer. Wage inflation for primary and secondary school teachers for the 12 months ending in December 2023 was over 4.2%:

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/eci.t01.htm

The quarterly increases were 1.1% in March, 0.8% in June, 1.5% in September, 0.8% in December -- 1.011 * 1.008 * 1.015 * 1.008 = 1.0426493146, or about a 4.265% increase for the year. Wages (MoCo has to compete for teachers with other jurisdictions) and construction costs (another higher-than-CPI figure) are the main drivers?

If funding is even $128M more than last year, and not the $107M reported

https://moco360.media/2024/03/14/elrich-no-need-to-raise-property-taxes-to-pay-for-proposed-7-1-billion-operating-budget/

that would be maybe a 3.9% increase on a $3.3B budget (maybe 3.25% if only the $107M reported). So not as much as the appropriate inflation comparator. Meanwhile, the county budget as a whole was lifted 4.9%. Wonder where their priorities are, and have been for decades, now...

The article even quotes the county Chief Administrative Officer as saying,

"While we have a record amount of money on a per pupil basis for the upcoming year, when you compare it to inflation-adjusted dollars, we’re still not quite up to the level we were in the timeframe right before the Great Recession."

It's preposterous to say health insurance has to increase the same amount as wages. (It's also silly to say wages need to increase the same amount as wage inflation for the previous 12 months). Health cost inflation has actually been lower than the CPI . As for your point about the budget not keeping up with inflation, the point that the CAO is making us about how much money the county has. You assume that amount is infinite and we just need to increase taxes to pay for things. I don't know if you heard but the MD economy has not grown since 2017. You can't keep raising taxes on a stagnant base. And remember, the Council has to raise taxes on everyone, not just the rich people you assume will bankroll MCPS's incompetence.

[Anonymous]

Btw I don't have the numbers in front of me but the MCPS proposed increase in insurance and benefit costs is well over 4.2%>