Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 10:45     Subject: Is FCPS replacing specialized instruction with “inclusion”?
They created the CSS centers for chair throwers to work through their issues. It can take a long time for kids to get on the righ diagnosis/ medication/therapy.

When the CSS center class is full, suddenly inclusion is what FCPS recommends.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 10:39     Subject: Is FCPS replacing specialized instruction with “inclusion”?
Anonymous wrote:I agree that the definition of “least restrictive environment” is a huge issue. No child is getting the attention, care, or instruction that actually meets their needs. The entire classroom is at the mercy of these children who really need specialized care and an appropriate setting that isn’t overwhelming for them, or they need someone capable of a sterner voice and more rigid structure.

Anecdote: kid throwing chair and screaming. The class is evacuated to the hall. This child is obviously struggling in this environment and not getting the structure and physical activity needed and/or emotional support, etc. He is likely not doing well academically and feels overwhelmed and frustrated there (not that the parent is told because everyone gets 2s and 3s). The other children’s education has been halted, but also permanently slowed as they now grapple with fear of their classmate. Oh, and the school doesn’t feel the need to let parents know their children are at the whims of such violent outbursts… because feels. (True story, btw.)

And by necessity, instruction will slow down and children will be even more abandoned to self-study by screen time.


We have friends whose kid is one of the ones throwing chairs. He is working with a private doctor and a therapist and his parents are doing a lot to help him. He is doing better, but he still is easily dysregulated. He is also a solid 3/4 student who is in advanced math. He is stupid smart. He will probably continue to do better as he matures but it has been a struggle. His parents are aware that the other kids and parents are not happy with him being in class but the question is how to help him and meet his academic needs.

I am not saying that the regular classroom is the best place, only that there are kids who struggle with ED who are getting help and who are smart. It is hard.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 10:31     Subject: Is FCPS replacing specialized instruction with “inclusion”?
I agree that the definition of “least restrictive environment” is a huge issue. No child is getting the attention, care, or instruction that actually meets their needs. The entire classroom is at the mercy of these children who really need specialized care and an appropriate setting that isn’t overwhelming for them, or they need someone capable of a sterner voice and more rigid structure.

Anecdote: kid throwing chair and screaming. The class is evacuated to the hall. This child is obviously struggling in this environment and not getting the structure and physical activity needed and/or emotional support, etc. He is likely not doing well academically and feels overwhelmed and frustrated there (not that the parent is told because everyone gets 2s and 3s). The other children’s education has been halted, but also permanently slowed as they now grapple with fear of their classmate. Oh, and the school doesn’t feel the need to let parents know their children are at the whims of such violent outbursts… because feels. (True story, btw.)

And by necessity, instruction will slow down and children will be even more abandoned to self-study by screen time.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 09:06     Subject: Is FCPS replacing specialized instruction with “inclusion”?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There is a huge shortage of seats in the contract private special ed schools FCPS uses.


Only a very small percentage of students with disabilities are appropriate for the private special ed schools. The law has required students to be educated in the least restrictive setting since at least 1975. Prior to that, students with disabilities either weren't allowed to go to school at all or were warehoused, out of sight and out of mind.


And, the definition of Least Restrictive is the issue.

On the one hand, we don't want kids excluded.
On the other hand, we want them in the best environment for them to learn.

It is a dilemma.

The problem occurs when one group interferes with the appropriate education of another group. It is a balancing act.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 09:03     Subject: Is FCPS replacing specialized instruction with “inclusion”?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There is a huge shortage of seats in the contract private special ed schools FCPS uses.


Only a very small percentage of students with disabilities are appropriate for the private special ed schools. The law has required students to be educated in the least restrictive setting since at least 1975. Prior to that, students with disabilities either weren't allowed to go to school at all or were warehoused, out of sight and out of mind.


My spouse is a teacher and told me in the fall that FCPS basically got into trouble with the state/federal (one of the two govts) for having too many students in pull out groups.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 08:59     Subject: Is FCPS replacing specialized instruction with “inclusion”?
Anonymous wrote:There is a huge shortage of seats in the contract private special ed schools FCPS uses.


Only a very small percentage of students with disabilities are appropriate for the private special ed schools. The law has required students to be educated in the least restrictive setting since at least 1975. Prior to that, students with disabilities either weren't allowed to go to school at all or were warehoused, out of sight and out of mind.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 08:51     Subject: Is FCPS replacing specialized instruction with “inclusion”?
There is a huge shortage of seats in the contract private special ed schools FCPS uses.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 08:49     Subject: Is FCPS replacing specialized instruction with “inclusion”?
Anonymous wrote:FCPS is moving toward fully inclusive classrooms with fewer breakouts, putting special ed (including significant autism), non-English speakers, kids needing speech/OT, grade-level students, and advanced kids all in the same room.

How is one teacher supposed to meet all those needs at once? Doesn’t this just spread services thinner?

Feels like they have yet again fallen victim to nonsense.
Where do you put the advanced esol dyslexic student who needs speech therapy?
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 08:11     Subject: Is FCPS replacing specialized instruction with “inclusion”?
It’s because of staffing shortages and budget cuts. And there are a lot more students with special needs and more students with high needs. Special education is supposed to be “whatever the kid needs in their IEP and least restrictive environment” (so we aren’t putting kids in wheelchairs in self-contained classes, or kids with mild ID’s or learning disabilities on a non-degree track if they can handle standard classes with some accommodations). But in practice, staffing always comes into play and tough decisions have to be made based on that. Even though that’s not supposed to happen. They aren’t supposed to use not enough teachers/staff as an excuse to not give a kid as many services as they need … but they always do.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 08:01     Subject: Is FCPS replacing specialized instruction with “inclusion”?
Who is going to go into teaching at this rate? My dd would be a great teacher, but I’d never advise her to pursue this path. The expectations are absurd.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 07:58     Subject: Is FCPS replacing specialized instruction with “inclusion”?
Anonymous wrote:FCPS is moving toward fully inclusive classrooms with fewer breakouts, putting special ed (including significant autism), non-English speakers, kids needing speech/OT, grade-level students, and advanced kids all in the same room.

How is one teacher supposed to meet all those needs at once? Doesn’t this just spread services thinner?

Feels like they have yet again fallen victim to nonsense.
Inclusion should equal one facility. Not one classroom!
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 07:38     Subject: Is FCPS replacing specialized instruction with “inclusion”?
My partner is currently doing training on it. This is elementary level. Sounds like schools have a choice on what level to implement it? This sounds new.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 07:37     Subject: Is FCPS replacing specialized instruction with “inclusion”?
It’s not nonsense, it’s due to lack of special ed teachers available to meet the much increased numbers of students with IEPs. Students with violent behaviors has increased and so teachers willing to put their bodies at risk for these students are becoming fewer and fewer. So each school has 1-2 special education teachers each with a demanding caseload and tons of IEP meetings and not enough time to teach.

To expect public school to meet the needs of every single student at every single level is what is nonsense.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 07:36     Subject: Is FCPS replacing specialized instruction with “inclusion”?
I thought this was the norm now? And that everyone is agitating for a move back to specialized instruction?
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 07:33     Subject: Is FCPS replacing specialized instruction with “inclusion”?
FCPS is moving toward fully inclusive classrooms with fewer breakouts, putting special ed (including significant autism), non-English speakers, kids needing speech/OT, grade-level students, and advanced kids all in the same room.

How is one teacher supposed to meet all those needs at once? Doesn’t this just spread services thinner?

Feels like they have yet again fallen victim to nonsense.