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by Greg_Groogan from Houston

Last Post 8 days, 7 hours Ago


Special Ed. - Not always black and white
Apr 28, 2007 | 10:26 PM
Category: News
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Black and white - that's how polar opposites in this crucial debate see the issue of educating our most challenged and vulnerable.  

Absolutley convinced they're doing right by the disabled in accordance with federal law, Public school leaders scoff at parents who come to the table with their own heartfelt definition of what an "appropriate" education could and should be for their child. When the response is indifference, intimidation and the promise of legal battle, I believe they are wrong.

Advocates for those with special needs who insist on blanket demonizing of  school districts with which they have battled without recognition of worthy efforts and satisfied parents appear to suffer from the same myopia - unwilling and perhaps unable to appreciate merit where it's deserved.

For five months here at Fox 26 we have chronicled the anguish of parents of those with special needs when Houston area schools failed them.

Is it not our duty, our responsibility to offer accounts from those who believe they've been fully and compassionately served ?

 Some have suggested the time for fairness and balance in this debate has long past.

I disagree. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

6 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 6
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ermurrow read my blog
Apr 29, 2007 | 3:16 PM

I understand your point, but let's play this out. As PB'smom wrote in a previous post, cerebral palsy does not necessarily =mental retardation. It is particularly difficult to determine a child's true IQ when they are non-verbal. From the piece you ran, the teacher was praising the child for playing with a toy. It would seem more appropriate to be working with the child to acquire a meaningful way to communicate. It would appear that the district and the parents made a decision long ago that the child was essentially uneducable. The child will be aging out of the system in 6 years or less and what will happen then? I understand that the parents were truly happy with the way Cy-Fair has dealt with their child, but I cannot help but wonder, were the parents manipulated over the years into thinking that there was nothing that they could do to help Anne Marie other than to keep her happy?
PBMom read my blog view my photos
Apr 29, 2007 | 10:38 PM

I do believe that there are districts in this state doing good things and they absolutely need recognition! I need to do some research, but I think I recall two districts in north Texas I recently read about that seemed like they were doing it right.

I had a good relationship with my district from Jan of 1999 until May of 2004. So I've been on both sides of the fence. I have never expected a private school type of education in a public school setting. What I never expected that the district wouldn't totally ruin my son's communication system in two years because of a change in administration.

If Anne Marie can push a button to make a toy move, she can certainly learn to push a button that will lead to a meaningful communication system.

I appreciate that Fox 26 is trying to give balanced news reporting, but this case was not the model of a good educational system for a child with a disability. No one doubts that her teachers and paras love her and care for her. What "programs" were provided remains unclear. FAPE (free appropriate public education) means providing a "meaningful education benefit." Pushing a button to see a toy go around--where is the educational benefit there? An NCLB says the child has a right to read and write regardless of the severity of the disability.

The report made me very sad to see parents who never held the district accountable for Anne Marie's rights under the law for her education to have meaninful benefit. They just accepted that the school would provide a safe, loving and caring environment, and that seems to be enoug
PBMom read my blog view my photos
Apr 29, 2007 | 10:40 PM

OOps, I guess there is a word limit. I said that seems enough for the parents. If I had accepted the status quo and believed everything everyone told me, I never would have heard my child, at age 3, saying from his mouth that was severely affected by his cerebral palsy (and still drooling at this point as well) "I ove ooo." When I look at Anne Marie, I see that potential. Why can't the parents?
acpallred
Apr 30, 2007 | 12:12 AM

I hope there are districts that are doing the right thing by the child. However, I see a child that is being left behind in Anne Marie. I guess everyone has a threshold of what is acceptable and I am glad they are happy with the services Anne Marie receives, I guess I have "accepted" too many things in the past that have now reached my threshold and are no longer acceptable to me. Once I stood up and said no more, the tenor of everything made a drastic change to the negative. It would be interesting to see what would happen if Anne Marie's parents decided that they want their daughter truly educated beyond the level the district has set for her. Even to teach her a crude communication method would be helpful but would that system be in place as the others have? I won't accept glorified babysitting for my child but I can't tell these parents what is right for them.
Thanks,
ktyeaman
May 1, 2007 | 9:32 AM

These parents have failed their child. Who is going to take care of this young lady when they are gone, which could be tomorrow? The very fact that this child has not even learned to communicate indicates to me that these parents have given up and have permitted the school district to do little more than baby sit instead of providing a truly appropriate education. Every individual has the right to learn and become as independent as possible. These parents need to stop feeling sorry for their daughter. Love her and TEACH her. ktyeaman
crazy1mom2
May 2, 2007 | 4:56 PM

In the story of Anne Marie, it appears as has been stated in the past. When the children are severely disabled the schools do seem to "do their job." It is the kids who have problems that are not easily "seen" and need to be in the regular classes where more support and services where the problems arise.
I, too, have been on both sides now. When my child did well I praised, rewarded, and sent letters to administrators for the staff for their hard work.
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Greg_Groogan

For as long as I can remember, all I've cared about is telling stories about Texans and what matters to them. These days that's pretty much all I do, so I guess I'm livin' the dream. Toss in 2 toddlers and a wife and my life is full to the brim. I'm greedy, I know there are great untold stories out there and I want them all. Help me do it.

Member Since: 3/20/2007


 

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