Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder whose idea it was to have integrated classrooms with no support.

I guess the support dwindled over time. Eons ago, I was an EA. (Called paras now?) I worked mainly with one child to manage behavior. I sat right beside him most of the day. I was able to head off any outbursts, and minimize distractions. If he was working well I could go around and help other kids with reading, or whatever they were working on.

Now, that child would be in the classroom with no support.. He would start kicking his feet.. Then drum on his desk. Then start singing. He needed someone to help him focus. Fortunately his physical outbursts were rare. But, that one kid could be quite a distraction and take up a lot of time all on his own.

Teachers need more support, period.

That’s what he would do? I have at least 6 in a class of 26 that do things like that non-stop and none are special needs students.

That was his starting point. It escalated from there. He was 5 1/2 with the maturity of a 3 year old. He was known to throw things, scream, and bite before they hired an EA for him. As I said, this was ages ago. Some might be surprised by the fact that those behaviors haven't always been tolerated. Some of the crap we see now would have had kids removed from the classroom. We were actually allowed to do that.

That kid needs to be removed from the regular class and put in a separate one. We can’t sacrifice the learning of the 25 other students for some doubtful outcome of a troubled student.

Just to show how messed up the schools are at my child’s they hired a mental health counselor, but they don’t have a science teacher.

He didn't need to be removed, he needed in class support.

As in one dedicated teacher to distract the troubled kid so that the rest can do their reading?

Sorry, but with the limited resources schools have, that’s just not a sensible approach.

What would you do? If teachers can't have the level of in class support that is needed, then maybe we need to go back to separate classrooms? Integrated classrooms without support doesn't work. Separate classrooms cause some parents to scream about inequality.

I didn't merely distract him. I worked with him to do his work, on his level. He had a modified lesson plan that the special ed teacher developed.

Sorry, I still don’t see how it makes sense. The student can’t read at 5th grade level, he has a different lesson plan, and a dedicated teacher is brought in to work with him. Nevertheless he stays in the same class, though it doesn’t seem there’s much interaction with the rest of the students, or any overlap in the curriculum. You get him to read a text at second grade level, and that’s integration and support.

I weep for the kids in that school. The only solution I see is a voucher system, so they at least have a chance to get an education somewhere else.

Disgusting and shameful that you think that having to work alongside people with disabilities is a tragedy. They are entitled to full inclusion. It is not an indication that the government should be giving YOU money that a child with (mild) special needs is allowed to stay in their educational environment. You need to take a long hard look in the mirror.

Aren’t you filled with righteous indignation?
Yes, it is shameful that kids reading three grades ahead are put in the same class with kids barely sounding out words. And it is a tragedy, because this setup will not help either of them, on the contrary it will hurt both. How did you decide that my child’s needs are mild?!! What does that even mean? And you have the nerve to talk about disgusting and shameful. Sped kids are not entitled to any kind of inclusion you personally come up with. We don’t decide they are entitled to a seat in an AP class and have an aid work with them on the side on the basics.
You seem to have your facts wrong, I am giving the government money, not the other way around! Every time I pay my taxes. I want a decent education in return for my child. If the school can’t deliver on it, they should get out of the way, and let another school do it.

You have no idea what you are talking about. Federal education law dictates that the child DOES have the right to full inclusion. Are you completely unfamiliar with IDEA? Why are you talking about something that you don’t understand? Your child does not have the right to a segregated high achieving class. They all have the right to exposure to the grade level curriculum. If you feel that your child would benefit from being sheltered from reality and diversity, you can pay for that privilege.

My child would most definitely benefit from being sheltered from poorly performing schools. I’m going to suggest this: you send your kid to that school where education means “exposure to grade level curriculum”. Where is the accountability if all you need to do is provide exposure?
You are either silly or dishonest here trying to hide behind the federal regulations. The schools are a disaster because feds made us do it. The point about sped is just to illustrate an example of poor choices that result in a school environment that is not conducive to learning. My child has the right to a good learning environment the rich take for granted. If the public school can’t provide it, I should have the option to take that public support to the institution of my choice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And yet we still have the reality that teachers and other school staff are leaving in droves. This means students who are still in public schools, whether their parents want them there or not, whether their parents wish vouchers were going to happen or not, will keep losing out. Just like patients in hospitals are losing out due to a severe nursing shortage, which is becoming worse, because dumb ass people won't get vaccinated, won't vaccinate their children, refuse to wear masks and generally let their own stupidity wreak havoc on other people like they don't have a care in the world.

I know that most people feel like the needs of their own children come before our collective responsibility to the greater social good. I personally don't hold that worldview. But you do you. I guess as long as your family gets what it believes it is entitled to, that's all that matters.

How exactly have you personally put the greater social good above the needs of your own children? This is empty virtue signaling at the highest degree. Of course talk is cheap in reality you’ve done absolutely nothing, but feel entitled to shame other parents. As if you should just send your kid to a school where 20% of kids achieve grade level proficiency, otherwise you’re selfish.

Oh, the greater social good, it’s funny how it lines up with the political agenda and talking points of the party you sympathize with! Nobody is checking if the greater social good is actually greater bs, we just have to take your word for it. How about the greater social good is the sum of goods of all individuals and we let them decide on their own what that is.

Yes, I sent my own children to a low income, low performing K-8 and high school. They both are in college on full ride scholarships. One had an SAT of 1550 and the other 1580. Low performing schools do not harm smart, hard working students. I also put the greater social good above my own needs. I teach in one of those schools instead of all the other offers I had in public schools in wealthy areas. I also spend a few thousand dollars out of my own pocket to ensure other people's children get what they need in my classroom, including tutoring any student of mine who wants it over the summer for free. What are you doing to ensure our society succeeds?

Welcome to the internet, where everyone is Mother Theresa, and their children are geniuses. When you say “Low performing schools do not harm smart, hard working students” are you implying that the vast majority of the rest of the students are lazy and dumb, unlike your kids? There are many studies that show low performing schools harm good students, you are 100% bs-ing. How could they not if you’re trying to teach pre algebra and half the students haven’t mastered even fractions yet? On top of that you deal with chronic absentees, behavioral issues, sometimes violence, but do not despair, you just need to work hard. Praise lord for your free summer tutoring, never heard of that in real life where teachers charge $100/h, but I’m glad I found that one selfless teacher in this thread. Your fake claims are embarrassing. Even more embarrassing is you belief that volunteering for a cause or donating some money means you are putting the society’s needs above your own. God, you sound so annoyingly pretentious! Guess what, many people volunteer and donate, you’re not that special.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder whose idea it was to have integrated classrooms with no support.

I guess the support dwindled over time. Eons ago, I was an EA. (Called paras now?) I worked mainly with one child to manage behavior. I sat right beside him most of the day. I was able to head off any outbursts, and minimize distractions. If he was working well I could go around and help other kids with reading, or whatever they were working on.

Now, that child would be in the classroom with no support.. He would start kicking his feet.. Then drum on his desk. Then start singing. He needed someone to help him focus. Fortunately his physical outbursts were rare. But, that one kid could be quite a distraction and take up a lot of time all on his own.

Teachers need more support, period.

That’s what he would do? I have at least 6 in a class of 26 that do things like that non-stop and none are special needs students.

That was his starting point. It escalated from there. He was 5 1/2 with the maturity of a 3 year old. He was known to throw things, scream, and bite before they hired an EA for him. As I said, this was ages ago. Some might be surprised by the fact that those behaviors haven't always been tolerated. Some of the crap we see now would have had kids removed from the classroom. We were actually allowed to do that.

That kid needs to be removed from the regular class and put in a separate one. We can’t sacrifice the learning of the 25 other students for some doubtful outcome of a troubled student.

Just to show how messed up the schools are at my child’s they hired a mental health counselor, but they don’t have a science teacher.

He didn't need to be removed, he needed in class support.

As in one dedicated teacher to distract the troubled kid so that the rest can do their reading?

Sorry, but with the limited resources schools have, that’s just not a sensible approach.

What would you do? If teachers can't have the level of in class support that is needed, then maybe we need to go back to separate classrooms? Integrated classrooms without support doesn't work. Separate classrooms cause some parents to scream about inequality.

I didn't merely distract him. I worked with him to do his work, on his level. He had a modified lesson plan that the special ed teacher developed.

Sorry, I still don’t see how it makes sense. The student can’t read at 5th grade level, he has a different lesson plan, and a dedicated teacher is brought in to work with him. Nevertheless he stays in the same class, though it doesn’t seem there’s much interaction with the rest of the students, or any overlap in the curriculum. You get him to read a text at second grade level, and that’s integration and support.

I weep for the kids in that school. The only solution I see is a voucher system, so they at least have a chance to get an education somewhere else.

Disgusting and shameful that you think that having to work alongside people with disabilities is a tragedy. They are entitled to full inclusion. It is not an indication that the government should be giving YOU money that a child with (mild) special needs is allowed to stay in their educational environment. You need to take a long hard look in the mirror.

Aren’t you filled with righteous indignation?
Yes, it is shameful that kids reading three grades ahead are put in the same class with kids barely sounding out words. And it is a tragedy, because this setup will not help either of them, on the contrary it will hurt both. How did you decide that my child’s needs are mild?!! What does that even mean? And you have the nerve to talk about disgusting and shameful. Sped kids are not entitled to any kind of inclusion you personally come up with. We don’t decide they are entitled to a seat in an AP class and have an aid work with them on the side on the basics.
You seem to have your facts wrong, I am giving the government money, not the other way around! Every time I pay my taxes. I want a decent education in return for my child. If the school can’t deliver on it, they should get out of the way, and let another school do it.

You have no idea what you are talking about. Federal education law dictates that the child DOES have the right to full inclusion. Are you completely unfamiliar with IDEA? Why are you talking about something that you don’t understand? Your child does not have the right to a segregated high achieving class. They all have the right to exposure to the grade level curriculum. If you feel that your child would benefit from being sheltered from reality and diversity, you can pay for that privilege.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And yet we still have the reality that teachers and other school staff are leaving in droves. This means students who are still in public schools, whether their parents want them there or not, whether their parents wish vouchers were going to happen or not, will keep losing out. Just like patients in hospitals are losing out due to a severe nursing shortage, which is becoming worse, because dumb ass people won't get vaccinated, won't vaccinate their children, refuse to wear masks and generally let their own stupidity wreak havoc on other people like they don't have a care in the world.

I know that most people feel like the needs of their own children come before our collective responsibility to the greater social good. I personally don't hold that worldview. But you do you. I guess as long as your family gets what it believes it is entitled to, that's all that matters.

How exactly have you personally put the greater social good above the needs of your own children? This is empty virtue signaling at the highest degree. Of course talk is cheap in reality you’ve done absolutely nothing, but feel entitled to shame other parents. As if you should just send your kid to a school where 20% of kids achieve grade level proficiency, otherwise you’re selfish.

Oh, the greater social good, it’s funny how it lines up with the political agenda and talking points of the party you sympathize with! Nobody is checking if the greater social good is actually greater bs, we just have to take your word for it. How about the greater social good is the sum of goods of all individuals and we let them decide on their own what that is.

Yes, I sent my own children to a low income, low performing K-8 and high school. They both are in college on full ride scholarships. One had an SAT of 1550 and the other 1580. Low performing schools do not harm smart, hard working students. I also put the greater social good above my own needs. I teach in one of those schools instead of all the other offers I had in public schools in wealthy areas. I also spend a few thousand dollars out of my own pocket to ensure other people's children get what they need in my classroom, including tutoring any student of mine who wants it over the summer for free. What are you doing to ensure our society succeeds?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder whose idea it was to have integrated classrooms with no support.

I guess the support dwindled over time. Eons ago, I was an EA. (Called paras now?) I worked mainly with one child to manage behavior. I sat right beside him most of the day. I was able to head off any outbursts, and minimize distractions. If he was working well I could go around and help other kids with reading, or whatever they were working on.

Now, that child would be in the classroom with no support.. He would start kicking his feet.. Then drum on his desk. Then start singing. He needed someone to help him focus. Fortunately his physical outbursts were rare. But, that one kid could be quite a distraction and take up a lot of time all on his own.

Teachers need more support, period.

That’s what he would do? I have at least 6 in a class of 26 that do things like that non-stop and none are special needs students.

That was his starting point. It escalated from there. He was 5 1/2 with the maturity of a 3 year old. He was known to throw things, scream, and bite before they hired an EA for him. As I said, this was ages ago. Some might be surprised by the fact that those behaviors haven't always been tolerated. Some of the crap we see now would have had kids removed from the classroom. We were actually allowed to do that.

That kid needs to be removed from the regular class and put in a separate one. We can’t sacrifice the learning of the 25 other students for some doubtful outcome of a troubled student.

Just to show how messed up the schools are at my child’s they hired a mental health counselor, but they don’t have a science teacher.

He didn't need to be removed, he needed in class support.

As in one dedicated teacher to distract the troubled kid so that the rest can do their reading?

Sorry, but with the limited resources schools have, that’s just not a sensible approach.

What would you do? If teachers can't have the level of in class support that is needed, then maybe we need to go back to separate classrooms? Integrated classrooms without support doesn't work. Separate classrooms cause some parents to scream about inequality.

I didn't merely distract him. I worked with him to do his work, on his level. He had a modified lesson plan that the special ed teacher developed.

Sorry, I still don’t see how it makes sense. The student can’t read at 5th grade level, he has a different lesson plan, and a dedicated teacher is brought in to work with him. Nevertheless he stays in the same class, though it doesn’t seem there’s much interaction with the rest of the students, or any overlap in the curriculum. You get him to read a text at second grade level, and that’s integration and support.

I weep for the kids in that school. The only solution I see is a voucher system, so they at least have a chance to get an education somewhere else.

Disgusting and shameful that you think that having to work alongside people with disabilities is a tragedy. They are entitled to full inclusion. It is not an indication that the government should be giving YOU money that a child with (mild) special needs is allowed to stay in their educational environment. You need to take a long hard look in the mirror.

Aren’t you filled with righteous indignation?
Yes, it is shameful that kids reading three grades ahead are put in the same class with kids barely sounding out words. And it is a tragedy, because this setup will not help either of them, on the contrary it will hurt both. How did you decide that my child’s needs are mild?!! What does that even mean? And you have the nerve to talk about disgusting and shameful. Sped kids are not entitled to any kind of inclusion you personally come up with. We don’t decide they are entitled to a seat in an AP class and have an aid work with them on the side on the basics.
You seem to have your facts wrong, I am giving the government money, not the other way around! Every time I pay my taxes. I want a decent education in return for my child. If the school can’t deliver on it, they should get out of the way, and let another school do it.

If you are in NoVA approximately $5000 of your taxes goes to schools…calm down. It’s not that much.

+1, if it’s even that much. Doesn't the funding come mainly from real estate taxes?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder whose idea it was to have integrated classrooms with no support.

I guess the support dwindled over time. Eons ago, I was an EA. (Called paras now?) I worked mainly with one child to manage behavior. I sat right beside him most of the day. I was able to head off any outbursts, and minimize distractions. If he was working well I could go around and help other kids with reading, or whatever they were working on.

Now, that child would be in the classroom with no support.. He would start kicking his feet.. Then drum on his desk. Then start singing. He needed someone to help him focus. Fortunately his physical outbursts were rare. But, that one kid could be quite a distraction and take up a lot of time all on his own.

Teachers need more support, period.

That’s what he would do? I have at least 6 in a class of 26 that do things like that non-stop and none are special needs students.

That was his starting point. It escalated from there. He was 5 1/2 with the maturity of a 3 year old. He was known to throw things, scream, and bite before they hired an EA for him. As I said, this was ages ago. Some might be surprised by the fact that those behaviors haven't always been tolerated. Some of the crap we see now would have had kids removed from the classroom. We were actually allowed to do that.

That kid needs to be removed from the regular class and put in a separate one. We can’t sacrifice the learning of the 25 other students for some doubtful outcome of a troubled student.

Just to show how messed up the schools are at my child’s they hired a mental health counselor, but they don’t have a science teacher.

He didn't need to be removed, he needed in class support.

As in one dedicated teacher to distract the troubled kid so that the rest can do their reading?

Sorry, but with the limited resources schools have, that’s just not a sensible approach.

What would you do? If teachers can't have the level of in class support that is needed, then maybe we need to go back to separate classrooms? Integrated classrooms without support doesn't work. Separate classrooms cause some parents to scream about inequality.

I didn't merely distract him. I worked with him to do his work, on his level. He had a modified lesson plan that the special ed teacher developed.

Sorry, I still don’t see how it makes sense. The student can’t read at 5th grade level, he has a different lesson plan, and a dedicated teacher is brought in to work with him. Nevertheless he stays in the same class, though it doesn’t seem there’s much interaction with the rest of the students, or any overlap in the curriculum. You get him to read a text at second grade level, and that’s integration and support.

I weep for the kids in that school. The only solution I see is a voucher system, so they at least have a chance to get an education somewhere else.

Private schools can’t support SPED kids and won’t take them, so you much mean vouchers for the other kids, correct?

Some privates cater to SPED. And kids with significant learning disabilities, who have more money spent on them in public school should have more money in vouchers, so they can pay to attend a school with more supports.

Some, which means a very small percentage.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder whose idea it was to have integrated classrooms with no support.

I guess the support dwindled over time. Eons ago, I was an EA. (Called paras now?) I worked mainly with one child to manage behavior. I sat right beside him most of the day. I was able to head off any outbursts, and minimize distractions. If he was working well I could go around and help other kids with reading, or whatever they were working on.

Now, that child would be in the classroom with no support.. He would start kicking his feet.. Then drum on his desk. Then start singing. He needed someone to help him focus. Fortunately his physical outbursts were rare. But, that one kid could be quite a distraction and take up a lot of time all on his own.

Teachers need more support, period.

That’s what he would do? I have at least 6 in a class of 26 that do things like that non-stop and none are special needs students.

That was his starting point. It escalated from there. He was 5 1/2 with the maturity of a 3 year old. He was known to throw things, scream, and bite before they hired an EA for him. As I said, this was ages ago. Some might be surprised by the fact that those behaviors haven't always been tolerated. Some of the crap we see now would have had kids removed from the classroom. We were actually allowed to do that.

That kid needs to be removed from the regular class and put in a separate one. We can’t sacrifice the learning of the 25 other students for some doubtful outcome of a troubled student.

Just to show how messed up the schools are at my child’s they hired a mental health counselor, but they don’t have a science teacher.

He didn't need to be removed, he needed in class support.

As in one dedicated teacher to distract the troubled kid so that the rest can do their reading?

Sorry, but with the limited resources schools have, that’s just not a sensible approach.

What would you do? If teachers can't have the level of in class support that is needed, then maybe we need to go back to separate classrooms? Integrated classrooms without support doesn't work. Separate classrooms cause some parents to scream about inequality.

I didn't merely distract him. I worked with him to do his work, on his level. He had a modified lesson plan that the special ed teacher developed.

Sorry, I still don’t see how it makes sense. The student can’t read at 5th grade level, he has a different lesson plan, and a dedicated teacher is brought in to work with him. Nevertheless he stays in the same class, though it doesn’t seem there’s much interaction with the rest of the students, or any overlap in the curriculum. You get him to read a text at second grade level, and that’s integration and support.

I weep for the kids in that school. The only solution I see is a voucher system, so they at least have a chance to get an education somewhere else.

Disgusting and shameful that you think that having to work alongside people with disabilities is a tragedy. They are entitled to full inclusion. It is not an indication that the government should be giving YOU money that a child with (mild) special needs is allowed to stay in their educational environment. You need to take a long hard look in the mirror.

Aren’t you filled with righteous indignation?
Yes, it is shameful that kids reading three grades ahead are put in the same class with kids barely sounding out words. And it is a tragedy, because this setup will not help either of them, on the contrary it will hurt both. How did you decide that my child’s needs are mild?!! What does that even mean? And you have the nerve to talk about disgusting and shameful. Sped kids are not entitled to any kind of inclusion you personally come up with. We don’t decide they are entitled to a seat in an AP class and have an aid work with them on the side on the basics.
You seem to have your facts wrong, I am giving the government money, not the other way around! Every time I pay my taxes. I want a decent education in return for my child. If the school can’t deliver on it, they should get out of the way, and let another school do it.

If you are in NoVA approximately $5000 of your taxes goes to schools…calm down. It’s not that much.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many of you seem to be unfamiliar with IDEA, the Individuals with disabilities education act. If you are unfamiliar with educational law and policy you have no business pretending you know how to fix the system. Some people are so desperate for tax payers to fund their child’s private education and it is so transparent.

You seem to be unfamiliar with parenting. You have no business lecturing parents while at the same time the school system is failing their kids. This may come as a surprise to you, we are the tax payers and are desperate to get out of a terrible education system that is keeping our kids hostage. If you are rich you can buy your way into a private, or in a rich public school neighborhood. If you are poor, your kid is screwed.

I'm "poor" but I manage to send my kid to a private school. So many people claim that just don't have the money for private school but yet they waste ridiculous amounts of money on pricey cars (and gas), multiple vacations, expensive sports and camps, etc. They have the money. They just have different priorities.

Yep! So many people in our area are “house poor.” Just different priorities.

Anonymous wrote:And yet we still have the reality that teachers and other school staff are leaving in droves. This means students who are still in public schools, whether their parents want them there or not, whether their parents wish vouchers were going to happen or not, will keep losing out. Just like patients in hospitals are losing out due to a severe nursing shortage, which is becoming worse, because dumb ass people won't get vaccinated, won't vaccinate their children, refuse to wear masks and generally let their own stupidity wreak havoc on other people like they don't have a care in the world.

I know that most people feel like the needs of their own children come before our collective responsibility to the greater social good. I personally don't hold that worldview. But you do you. I guess as long as your family gets what it believes it is entitled to, that's all that matters.

How exactly have you personally put the greater social good above the needs of your own children? This is empty virtue signaling at the highest degree. Of course talk is cheap in reality you’ve done absolutely nothing, but feel entitled to shame other parents. As if you should just send your kid to a school where 20% of kids achieve grade level proficiency, otherwise you’re selfish.

Oh, the greater social good, it’s funny how it lines up with the political agenda and talking points of the party you sympathize with! Nobody is checking if the greater social good is actually greater bs, we just have to take your word for it. How about the greater social good is the sum of goods of all individuals and we let them decide on their own what that is.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many of you seem to be unfamiliar with IDEA, the Individuals with disabilities education act. If you are unfamiliar with educational law and policy you have no business pretending you know how to fix the system. Some people are so desperate for tax payers to fund their child’s private education and it is so transparent.

You seem to be unfamiliar with parenting. You have no business lecturing parents while at the same time the school system is failing their kids. This may come as a surprise to you, we are the tax payers and are desperate to get out of a terrible education system that is keeping our kids hostage. If you are rich you can buy your way into a private, or in a rich public school neighborhood. If you are poor, your kid is screwed.

I'm "poor" but I manage to send my kid to a private school. So many people claim that just don't have the money for private school but yet they waste ridiculous amounts of money on pricey cars (and gas), multiple vacations, expensive sports and camps, etc. They have the money. They just have different priorities.

So you didn’t leave your child in the public school, and you lecture parents that want to do the same, but don’t have the means? Well, they must have the means because you’ve checked their car (and gas). If only everyone was as financially responsible as you are, we could fix our education system.

And yet we still have the reality that teachers and other school staff are leaving in droves. This means students who are still in public schools, whether their parents want them there or not, whether their parents wish vouchers were going to happen or not, will keep losing out. Just like patients in hospitals are losing out due to a severe nursing shortage, which is becoming worse, because dumb ass people won't get vaccinated, won't vaccinate their children, refuse to wear masks and generally let their own stupidity wreak havoc on other people like they don't have a care in the world.

I know that most people feel like the needs of their own children come before our collective responsibility to the greater social good. I personally don't hold that worldview. But you do you. I guess as long as your family gets what it believes it is entitled to, that's all that matters.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many of you seem to be unfamiliar with IDEA, the Individuals with disabilities education act. If you are unfamiliar with educational law and policy you have no business pretending you know how to fix the system. Some people are so desperate for tax payers to fund their child’s private education and it is so transparent.

You seem to be unfamiliar with parenting. You have no business lecturing parents while at the same time the school system is failing their kids. This may come as a surprise to you, we are the tax payers and are desperate to get out of a terrible education system that is keeping our kids hostage. If you are rich you can buy your way into a private, or in a rich public school neighborhood. If you are poor, your kid is screwed.

I'm "poor" but I manage to send my kid to a private school. So many people claim that just don't have the money for private school but yet they waste ridiculous amounts of money on pricey cars (and gas), multiple vacations, expensive sports and camps, etc. They have the money. They just have different priorities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder whose idea it was to have integrated classrooms with no support.

I guess the support dwindled over time. Eons ago, I was an EA. (Called paras now?) I worked mainly with one child to manage behavior. I sat right beside him most of the day. I was able to head off any outbursts, and minimize distractions. If he was working well I could go around and help other kids with reading, or whatever they were working on.

Now, that child would be in the classroom with no support.. He would start kicking his feet.. Then drum on his desk. Then start singing. He needed someone to help him focus. Fortunately his physical outbursts were rare. But, that one kid could be quite a distraction and take up a lot of time all on his own.

Teachers need more support, period.

That’s what he would do? I have at least 6 in a class of 26 that do things like that non-stop and none are special needs students.

That was his starting point. It escalated from there. He was 5 1/2 with the maturity of a 3 year old. He was known to throw things, scream, and bite before they hired an EA for him. As I said, this was ages ago. Some might be surprised by the fact that those behaviors haven't always been tolerated. Some of the crap we see now would have had kids removed from the classroom. We were actually allowed to do that.

That kid needs to be removed from the regular class and put in a separate one. We can’t sacrifice the learning of the 25 other students for some doubtful outcome of a troubled student.

Just to show how messed up the schools are at my child’s they hired a mental health counselor, but they don’t have a science teacher.

He didn't need to be removed, he needed in class support.

As in one dedicated teacher to distract the troubled kid so that the rest can do their reading?

Sorry, but with the limited resources schools have, that’s just not a sensible approach.

What would you do? If teachers can't have the level of in class support that is needed, then maybe we need to go back to separate classrooms? Integrated classrooms without support doesn't work. Separate classrooms cause some parents to scream about inequality.

I didn't merely distract him. I worked with him to do his work, on his level. He had a modified lesson plan that the special ed teacher developed.

Sorry, I still don’t see how it makes sense. The student can’t read at 5th grade level, he has a different lesson plan, and a dedicated teacher is brought in to work with him. Nevertheless he stays in the same class, though it doesn’t seem there’s much interaction with the rest of the students, or any overlap in the curriculum. You get him to read a text at second grade level, and that’s integration and support.

I weep for the kids in that school. The only solution I see is a voucher system, so they at least have a chance to get an education somewhere else.

Disgusting and shameful that you think that having to work alongside people with disabilities is a tragedy. They are entitled to full inclusion. It is not an indication that the government should be giving YOU money that a child with (mild) special needs is allowed to stay in their educational environment. You need to take a long hard look in the mirror.

Aren’t you filled with righteous indignation?
Yes, it is shameful that kids reading three grades ahead are put in the same class with kids barely sounding out words. And it is a tragedy, because this setup will not help either of them, on the contrary it will hurt both. How did you decide that my child’s needs are mild?!! What does that even mean? And you have the nerve to talk about disgusting and shameful. Sped kids are not entitled to any kind of inclusion you personally come up with. We don’t decide they are entitled to a seat in an AP class and have an aid work with them on the side on the basics.
You seem to have your facts wrong, I am giving the government money, not the other way around! Every time I pay my taxes. I want a decent education in return for my child. If the school can’t deliver on it, they should get out of the way, and let another school do it.

Anonymous wrote:Many of you seem to be unfamiliar with IDEA, the Individuals with disabilities education act. If you are unfamiliar with educational law and policy you have no business pretending you know how to fix the system. Some people are so desperate for tax payers to fund their child’s private education and it is so transparent.

You seem to be unfamiliar with parenting. You have no business lecturing parents while at the same time the school system is failing their kids. This may come as a surprise to you, we are the tax payers and are desperate to get out of a terrible education system that is keeping our kids hostage. If you are rich you can buy your way into a private, or in a rich public school neighborhood. If you are poor, your kid is screwed.

Anonymous wrote:Many of you seem to be unfamiliar with IDEA, the Individuals with disabilities education act. If you are unfamiliar with educational law and policy you have no business pretending you know how to fix the system. Some people are so desperate for tax payers to fund their child’s private education and it is so transparent.

Came here to say exactly this. Thank you, PP!