Spinoff subject: how many posts are written by teachers versus actual parents of special needs kids?

[Anonymous]

Just wondering.

I was under the impression that this board mostly is populated by parents of special needs kids, but several threads (including the one about the effectively retired special ed teacher and the bus driver) are making me reassess.

The vibe is interesting and sometimes diverges from what one would expect from a board where primarily parents of SN children participate.

[Anonymous]

In more than a decade of reading this board, I can tell you it’s mostly parents who post.

But as long as people identify themselves, it’s all good.

Don’t forget some teachers or other school professionals are ALSO parents of SN kids…

[Anonymous]

I’m a parent of a child with special needs -in a self contained placement- so not special needs light. I’m also a special education teacher. So I see both sides and post as such. I always say I’m a parent and a teacher.

[Anonymous]

If you’re expecting parents to be reflexively critical of their school’s accommodations and services, think again.

My son has had an IEP for 11 years in MCPS (elementary to high school) and overall we’re very happy with how he’s been treated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you’re expecting parents to be reflexively critical of their school’s accommodations and services, think again.

My son has had an IEP for 11 years in MCPS (elementary to high school) and overall we’re very happy with how he’s been treated.

I think, though, that you would generally see a sampling bias. The people most likely to post are the ones most likely to be dissatisfied. I'm sure there are many who are reasonably happy, but those folks are probably way less likely to post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re expecting parents to be reflexively critical of their school’s accommodations and services, think again.

My son has had an IEP for 11 years in MCPS (elementary to high school) and overall we’re very happy with how he’s been treated.

I think, though, that you would generally see a sampling bias. The people most likely to post are the ones most likely to be dissatisfied. I'm sure there are many who are reasonably happy, but those folks are probably way less likely to post.

True. Which is usually what we see on this board. But some of us have been doing this for a long time and we have a bit of perspective - we know that glitches are to be expected, some years the case counselor won’t be up to scratch (one year ours was pregnant and pretty out of it, poor thing), some teachers will need regular reminders to implement the IEP…
…and some others faced with oppositional teams only made it work when they brought in the big guns.

It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Be prepared.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re expecting parents to be reflexively critical of their school’s accommodations and services, think again.

My son has had an IEP for 11 years in MCPS (elementary to high school) and overall we’re very happy with how he’s been treated.

I think, though, that you would generally see a sampling bias. The people most likely to post are the ones most likely to be dissatisfied. I'm sure there are many who are reasonably happy, but those folks are probably way less likely to post.

True. Which is usually what we see on this board. But some of us have been doing this for a long time and we have a bit of perspective - we know that glitches are to be expected, some years the case counselor won’t be up to scratch (one year ours was pregnant and pretty out of it, poor thing), some teachers will need regular reminders to implement the IEP…
…and some others faced with oppositional teams only made it work when they brought in the big guns.

It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Be prepared.

I don't know...I think it's more of a series of sprints... I think there's an ebb and flow to it that a "marathon" metaphor just doesn't capture. I think there are periods of mini crisis, then relief, and so on... I think, too, that it's so important to support the underdog, and that's usually the parent...

[Anonymous]

I'm a SpEd para and also a parent of a HFA kid who's graduated HS and on the slow track in college. I see stuff from both sides. I mostly became a para to give back a little of what my kid got. (Certainly not because it pays well!)

[Anonymous]

Unless people identify themselves it’s hard to know. But what I do know is this. If you talk about having a good experience, someone will accuse you of being a school district employee. If you point out any positives in a tough situation, same. You get accused of being a teacher or school personnel.

[Anonymous]

There are some threads where there seem to be a disproportionate amount of angry teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are some threads where there seem to be a disproportionate amount of angry teachers.

Yes - a lot of the IEP threads seem that way to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some threads where there seem to be a disproportionate amount of angry teachers.

Yes - a lot of the IEP threads seem that way to me.

Agree. I think it's hugely important for parents to realize that the posters may be biased/self-interested. Of course, parents are, too, but there's something worrisome about the inability of parents to detect the true positions/identities of posters.

Caveat emptor, so to speak...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless people identify themselves it’s hard to know. But what I do know is this. If you talk about having a good experience, someone will accuse you of being a school district employee. If you point out any positives in a tough situation, same. You get accused of being a teacher or school personnel.

MCPS families know that the school system hired a PR firm and MCPS posts on this board. These past 3 school years have been the worst for special needs students who are still struggling to recover from online learning. The MCPS reputation of spin to deflect from problems makes parents distrust positive posts because it just doesn’t match up with the reality students are experiencing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless people identify themselves it’s hard to know. But what I do know is this. If you talk about having a good experience, someone will accuse you of being a school district employee. If you point out any positives in a tough situation, same. You get accused of being a teacher or school personnel.

MCPS families know that the school system hired a PR firm and MCPS posts on this board. These past 3 school years have been the worst for special needs students who are still struggling to recover from online learning. The MCPS reputation of spin to deflect from problems makes parents distrust positive posts because it just doesn’t match up with the reality students are experiencing.

Even if true, it doesn't mean every post supporting mcps is from a pr hack.

[Anonymous]

Sad how cynical some parents are that good work can't even get praised. No wonder teachers are quitting in droves which will obviously only make services that much harder for our children. Thanks.