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Post by snerdley on Apr 17, 2008 19:28:45 GMT -6
The special needs program has been undergoing a metamorphosis the past several years. There has been an ongoing effort to give kids the absolute bare minimum to keep the parents from complaining all while the district still collects the funding grants per child. I know this first hand. Where there's funding given to put an aide in the classroom, D204 in its infinite wisdom has slacked that from a 1:1 ratio years ago (with an experienced expert) to a 3 or 4:1 ratio (that's 3-4 special needs kids PER aide) often with a person who really shouldn't even be allowed to be around kids. (inexperienced new hire who acts like the kids are nothing more than a bother to their day and they (the aide) would rather be ANYWHERE but there. Push the kid's buttons a few times and provoke a reaction and Boom, you can call the parents, claim the kid is acting up and send them home... The day just got easier, eh? It's going on in multiple schools, don't kid yourselves. It's repulsive and completely unfair to the kids and the parents who often have no clue what is really going on while their child is at school. If anyone wants to claim BS on that I can provide you with schools and names of people I have personally seen this happen to. At the start of the Fry meeting last night there was a conversation about classroom size for K (28 I think) with some concerned parents. Discussion also about dollars spent per student and economies of scale. Lots of discussion about being efficient - therefore that number is the max and oh well. Then later in the meeting, while acknowleding Dr. D's lack of finesse from a PR standpoint, we learned that they have hired a PR person - from North Central College I believe - to help him out. A few people asked how much that cost and why can't we put an aide in a K class but we can hire for alot more money someone to manage Dr. D's missteps with the public. It seems they spend money when they want to (legal fees, administrative salaries, etc.) but are very tight in other instances. And that was really highlighted for me last night. |
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Post by eb204 on Apr 17, 2008 19:53:21 GMT -6
I would like to hear from specialneedsmom. I am sure she has some insight into this situation. I just find it funny that this rumor is heard by more then one. IIRC, she left the Feb. 5 IPSN PTA meeting early, so she may not have heard all of what was presented. Also, I'm not sure if she was at the 3/24 board meeting in which this was presented, but I could be wrong. I was trying to take notes to report back to those parents who could not attend. |
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Post by Arch on Apr 17, 2008 20:17:08 GMT -6
OK Arch, I'm not calling BS on your specific example, but I am friends with someone high up in the special needs program of 204, and this just isn't true. Haven't heard a thing about reductions in the program. She's been concerned about what might happen at the state funding level, but that's another topic. Further, my 2nd grader has had a special needs child in every class she's had, and it's always been one-to-one in her class as well as the others in her school. In fact, I accompanied them on their Brookfield Zoo field trip a few weeks ago, and they were in my group. At the end of the day, I complimented her on the great job she did. What have you observed with multiple children included in the classroom? What's the ratio? What have been your observations throughout the day with the children and aides? Have your friend check the ratios at Hill when you have a chance and look into some of the parental concerns that have been expressed by multiple parents. |
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Post by specailneedsmom on Apr 17, 2008 20:25:53 GMT -6
I have heard all the rumors about changes to the special ed service delivery in the district. I have also heard the proposals that the administration is proposing. In all the years I have been in the district and been involved with the special needs community, I have never, ever seen the administration so heck bent on trying to sell the changes they are going to make. I find this somewhat curious. Every child is different and the successful delivery model of services for every child to make progress is different. Parents need to stay on top of things and be very active in their child's day to day education, communicate regularly with the classroom teacher, communicate daily with the classroom aide, and ask lots of questions. Get everything in writing. Phone calls are worthless because they are heresay. And remember you can request an IEP meeting any time you want. Be there for the meeting (believe it or not some parents are not). Don't agree to anything you're not comfortable with and don't sign anything at the meeting other than your attendance. Sit on it for a couple of days until you have read it over a few times. Bring a friend to take notes so you can focus on other things. If your child is making progress and they want to cut services, question it. If, for example, they have a classroom aide and they are suggesting they don't need an aide anymore, it is your right to ask questions and challenge their recommendations. You know your child the best.
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Post by kimmie on Apr 17, 2008 20:32:36 GMT -6
specialneedsmom, you are so right. I taught in another SD, (& another state), you have to be so careful. No one knows your child as well as the you do. YOU understand why of what they do. It sounds like you know the game, I'm gald you understand it, I wish more special needs parents did.
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Post by eb204 on Apr 17, 2008 20:34:12 GMT -6
I have heard all the rumors about changes to the special ed service delivery in the district. I have also heard the proposals that the administration is proposing. In all the years I have been in the district and been involved with the special needs community, I have never, ever seen the administration so heck bent on trying to sell the changes they are going to make. I find this somewhat curious. Every child is different and the successful delivery model of services for every child to make progress is different. Parents need to stay on top of things and be very active in their child's day to day education, communicate regularly with the classroom teacher, communicate daily with the classroom aide, and ask lots of questions. Get everything in writing. Phone calls are worthless because they are heresay. And remember you can request an IEP meeting any time you want. Be there for the meeting (believe it or not some parents are not). Don't agree to anything you're not comfortable with and don't sign anything at the meeting other than your attendance. Sit on it for a couple of days until you have read it over a few times. Bring a friend to take notes so you can focus on other things. If your child is making progress and they want to cut services, question it. If, for example, they have a classroom aide and they are suggesting they don't need an aide anymore, it is your right to ask questions and challenge their recommendations. You know your child the best. SNM, I agree wholeheartedly with your advice to parents about being involved, question everything, etc. The parents of these kids are the only ones who truly know these kids and their needs. I have certainly not agreed with what some staff has wanted for my child (or didn't want in some cases) and I pushed for services anyway. In the end, I got what I thought was best for my child. This doesn't end with an IEP meeting either. The parent has to ensure that the IEP is being implemented. The IEP is only as good as it is being implemented. The process doesn't stop when the ink on the IEP dries. Parents must stay involved. If you feel your child needs an aide, then say so. Those who need an aide will still have one, but in soem cases, you might have to push a little harder. That has always been the case in special ed. Not just here, but pretty much everywhere. |
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