Reply to Jack Smith vs Josh Starr

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]What specific rules has Smith put in place that have changed/reduced discipline in schools?  I ask just because I don't know. The stories I hear from my middle schooler about the kids acting out are ridiculous so I agree change is needed; I'm just curious if it was specific changes that Smith has made?  [/quote]

One of the biggest things that Smith has done is put an end to almost all special ed programs. Almost all kids are now mainstreamed to save money- even if it is not what is best for the child. *I am aware that this benefits some children, but I am not only a teacher, but a parent of a child who lost his program. Through a lot of hard work and paying an advocate, he is now successful in a private school that the county is paying for. Not all parents have the resources to fight for their children.*

An example of this at the school where I work: It had a LAD program with 2 self contained classes. Each class had around 8 kids, a special ed teacher and a para. Children in those classes could be bussed in from neighboring schools to ensure that they had the extra support. In addition to this, the school had another special ed teacher and paras to help with the other children with less severe needs and lived in the neighborhood. Now, there are no more self contained LAD classes in elementary schools. The children who were originally here for the program with significant needs are still here but spread around in larger classes. There are no longer extra special ed teachers for these children. So now we have 2 total special ed teachers who need to meet the needs of all of the children who it had already been determined could not be successful in a general ed classroom AND meet the needs of the neighborhood children. So what we have is complete chaos! Kids are not successful and the special ed teachers are unable to meet any of the students needs. The neighborhood kids who still need help are completely ignored while the behavioral issues try to be dealt with. As this is not possible, everyone is suffering! At our school, if a child physically assaults a teacher, we are not allowed to send them to the office- that's not bad enough and should be dealt with in the classroom. How can we possibly teach in this mess?

We need more programs for the children with mental health issues. Smith taking away the programs has created an environment that is impossible to work in.[/quote]

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