Reply to The Real Cost Of Special Needs

Forum Index » Schools and Education General Discussion

Reply to "The Real Cost Of Special Needs"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I was in ES in the late 70s and remembered kids, mostly boys, who were in a separate class but we had lunch,  recess, field trips together. Now I realize, they were probably kids with ADHD, other learning disabilities, or behavioral issues. I think they integrated in junior high. Why can’t they do that now?  Why did they stop?  What changed?[/quote]

They didn't stop.  They expanded it. It's called "self-contained". But it's extremely expensive to provide for everyone who needs it it's not in the budget. [/quote]

I'm currently employed within the Boston Public School system and felt the need to share some thoughts on the financial aspect of our educational structure.

Firstly, the idea that specialized classes for children with particular needs are prohibitively expensive is a misconception.

[b] It would be more cost-effective to establish self-contained classes with adequately compensated teachers than to assign a 1:1 aide for every child. Even if we had to employ additional staff for such classes, the overall expenditure would still be less.[/b]

To give a clearer picture, let's delve into some figures: A recent [report](https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/public-school-spending.html#:~:text=Of%20the%20100%20largest%20school,District%20in%20Georgia%20(%2418%2C492)%2C) indicates that the average spending per student ranges between $20,000 to $30,000 annually. It's a reasonable assumption that students without special needs might fall on the lower end of this spectrum.

Now, considering the salaries: A teacher's median salary in Boston stands at approximately $60,000 annually. When juxtaposed with the per-student spending figures, there seems to be a disparity. How does this reconcile?

Furthermore, the base salary for paraprofessionals varies widely, ranging from $20,000 to $40,000. Although many earn less than the upper limit, if we go by the published statistics, the numbers are still significant.

It's essential to acknowledge the sentiment that teachers appear underpaid. This perception isn't unfounded. However, it's also crucial to highlight that the teachers' union has been resistant to some logical compromises. One such example is the reluctance to adopt a differential pay structure, where educators handling more challenging classrooms could be compensated more than those managing less demanding environments.

What's frustrating is the lack of a detailed financial breakdown. The Boston Public School system boasts a budget of $1.3 billion. Yet, without a clear itemized list, it's challenging to identify where all the funds are allocated. For context, a quick online search reveals that schools in the DC area have even higher per-student expenditures.

In conclusion, a transparent financial breakdown is crucial. It would provide clarity on where the funds are being utilized and whether the current allocation supports the optimal educational environment for all students.
[/quote]

Are all the gen ed students just herded together into the cafeteria and taught by the one non sped teacher the school can afford after your plan takes effect? [/quote]

?
We used to have self contained classes. They did not break the bank (or teachers). The current model is what is doing both. [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics