Root cause of issues at MOCO schools?

[Anonymous]

the IEP process is extremely stressful. As previous post mentioned, the "team" has made decisions in advance, accomodations are inconsistently implemented and sometimes not at all. It is emotionally draining to email teachers and administrators every year, only to see your child falling further behind because there is not consistent compliance in implementing the IEP and the team will preyend that all the goals are being met, despite data that indicates otherwise. You feel as if you have no recourse. The child's best interest is irrelevant for the team, truly sad for all children with learning differences in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:the IEP process is extremely stressful. As previous post mentioned, the "team" has made decisions in advance, accomodations are inconsistently implemented and sometimes not at all. It is emotionally draining to email teachers and administrators every year, only to see your child falling further behind because there is not consistent compliance in implementing the IEP and the team will preyend that all the goals are being met, despite data that indicates otherwise. You feel as if you have no recourse. The child's best interest is irrelevant for the team, truly sad for all children with learning differences in MCPS.

I’m the counselor pp. I don’t blame you for giving up, but please report these people to help others and put them on notice that they are not flying under the radar. They just changed the leadership. It may be worth complaining again now—to help the next child if it’s too late for yours. One of the worst offenders is no longer working in central. Please do it also to lend credibility to the staff who are also working to hold people responsible for acting ethically. I’d get outside services too if the school wasn’t meeting my needs. Two separate issues. One is incompetence.

[Anonymous]

Thank you counselor for your input! I will certainly share my concerns, I was not aware there was new leadership in place (much needed). More staff like you are needed to support these children. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "team" concept requires respect, dialog, opened mindedness, listening, careful thought and consi pRederation on both sides. Realize paents and students have also been burned by the system. Realize that many times a student can be falsely accused or misunderstood. Often the lack of training and understanding when it comes to working with children with with disabilities can be relevant. Parents feel like when they walk into meetings, decisions have been premade before they come into a room in the premeeting the MCPS staff had prior to the official meetings.

There are problems on both sides of the table. It's a BIG problem that ultimately hurts the child.

All our IEP meetings the IEP is pre-written, we don't get a copy in advanced and get a final afterward that they refuse to modify. There is no team work. One specialist cannot even get my child's name right despite her providing services for several years. We get no input what so ever.

That’s both outrageous and against the law. I’d contest that IEP asap. I say that as a school counselor who knows the right procedure.

We gave up, do everything on our own and dropped the IEP. The services were a joke and they refused to do the supports my child needed. I cannot even figure out what my child learned last year or what the grades were based on as very little work came home. The school counselor, vp and principal and teachers don't return emails and refuse to speak in person.

Time to homeschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you counselor for your input! I will certainly share my concerns, I was not aware there was new leadership in place (much needed). More staff like you are needed to support these children. Thank you!

Thank you too—we have to work together.

[Anonymous]

As one who has fought the fight, the players may change but the system is slow to change and be compliant with Federal laws. Top brass from Central Office just attended my child's IEP which was like,described above. I will be filling a State Complaint and working with Federal agencies to see if they will step in. The problems are so bad my child is going into a private placement but we will be seeking private placement at public expence.

MCPS has a duty to educate all children. The problem is that some employees including those at Central Office don't care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree. None of the taxes should go to W schools, only title 1, focus, esol.

this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As one who has fought the fight, the players may change but the system is slow to change and be compliant with Federal laws. Top brass from Central Office just attended my child's IEP which was like,described above. I will be filling a State Complaint and working with Federal agencies to see if they will step in. The problems are so bad my child is going into a private placement but we will be seeking private placement at public expence.

MCPS has a duty to educate all children. The problem is that some employees including those at Central Office don't care.

I hate stories like this. It’s been less expensive to periodically pay out to the parents who sue for private placement than to follow the law. If more people file complaints with state/federal authorities, that will no longer be the case. To my coworkers in MCPS who have a seat at the special ed table, but who aren’t well-versed in special ed law—do your homework and make sure the team follows the letter of the law. Your own integrity is at stake. Ignorance is not an excuse. Saying you trusted your special ed experts or admin to know policies and procedures is not an excuse. Yes, you will probably get flack but why are you doing this work if not to help children? I’ve paid a price and understand why others wouldn’t want to do it my way. It’s a real risk. But if you don’t feel comfortable being a big mouth like me, at least educate parents about their rights, refuse to vote in favor of decisions you disagree with—even if yours is the minority (and overruled) opinion—and don’t allow your team to determine an outcome prior to a meeting. All of that is basic ethics.

-MCPS employee

[Anonymous]

Former director Greg Edmundson is now on special assignment to work in the Compliance Unit. That’s a new position. I’d imagine he’s a good person to talk to about ethical and legal violations.

[Anonymous]

His phone number is 240 740 3215 — pressed submit too soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former director Greg Edmundson is now on special assignment to work in the Compliance Unit. That’s a new position. I’d imagine he’s a good person to talk to about ethical and legal violations.

Just remember his devotion to Jerry Weast https://twitter.com/GSEdmundson/status/644637516319051776

[Anonymous]

I don’t like the comment in that tweet about protecting the MCPS brand. I want to hear leaders talk about protecting the children. But that comment is from 2015—people should still contact him and see what he does. The proof will be in his action or inaction. His job has a big scope—everything from child abuse and sexual harassment to staff infractions.

[Anonymous]

Too many times Central Office hides behind "mistakes". It's difficult to proove intentions easy to proove noncompliance when you get to the point of bringing your own attorney to the process.

It sickens me that MCPS is so broken that it takes an attorney to protect my child's rights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Too many times Central Office hides behind "mistakes". It's difficult to proove intentions easy to proove noncompliance when you get to the point of bringing your own attorney to the process.

It sickens me that MCPS is so broken that it takes an attorney to protect my child's rights.

They have an attorney too. More than one. And use them. Like it or not it’s in your interest to have representation too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Too many times Central Office hides behind "mistakes". It's difficult to proove intentions easy to proove noncompliance when you get to the point of bringing your own attorney to the process.

It sickens me that MCPS is so broken that it takes an attorney to protect my child's rights.

They have an attorney too. More than one. And use them. Like it or not it’s in your interest to have representation too.

So who benefits from this type of system? Lawyers that charge MCPS (ultimately taxpayers) and parents $500 per hour. So much is wasted on both sides that could be used to help educate children.