Reading this makes me livid and they aren't even my kids or anyone I know. That is horrible. CAn those kids opt out? I can't imagine putting my kids through that stress.
There really is no opt out but I gave her the exact days and make up days and told her to keep him home so she scheduled doctors appointments those days;)
Its so frustrating. Standardized testing does NOT show student knowledge/achievement. It does NOT show teacher ability. And it does NOT show if a school is a "good" school. Unless by "good" you mean primarily full of upper middle class white kids.
Also, sp ed kids are required to tale the exact same grade level test as their Gen ed peers. Not the grade level they are working at, their actual grade. Its really fun to explain to a bunch of 5th graders reading at a 1st/2nd grade level that you know the story is above their reading level,and suggest they just look for key words in the questions to match with answers. Because they CANT READ THE FUCKING TEST
Lala -- from what I can gather, this is part of the reason LM is leading the opting out charge. They have no interest in having special ed students having an impact in their ranking.
There are a host of other reasons I see tossed around, but this seems to be one of them.
How devastating for a kid who is already behind (and with certain issues is WELL AWARE they are behind their peers) to have that shoved in their faces? How stressful. That's insane. I mean really? That tells NO ONE anything!? How did having kids with altered learning schedules take the test at a non altered level even start!? It's insane!?
<-----really knows nothing about standardized tests, but finds that ridiculous
These people have brought their concerns to the superintendent level. Nothing changed. What do you do then? I don't think it's the best scenario but either is a kid mercilessly bullied who is getting squat for services.
Then go above there are laws in place for a reason. Kids that have IEPs are the most protected of the bunch. Honestly it's not them I worry about.
There are laws if an Iep isnt being followed. This isn't the case here. Many in poorer districts don't get the services their specialists think are necessary (I know preaching to the choir here). What do you do when your kid isn't getting the necessary accommodations/support, they're in the midst of a serious depression from relentless bullying, you can't afford a lawyer, and efforts to bring your concerns to the superintendent leads nowhere?
Then go above there are laws in place for a reason. Kids that have IEPs are the most protected of the bunch. Honestly it's not them I worry about.
There are laws if an Iep isnt being followed. This isn't the case here. Many in poorer districts don't get the services their specialists think are necessary (I know preaching to the choir here). What do you do when your kid isn't getting the necessary accommodations/support, they're in the midst of a serious depression from relentless bullying, you can't afford a lawyer, and efforts to bring your concerns to the superintendent leads nowhere?
Start with the state. There is a committee that handles sped stuff in every state just for stuff like this.
There are laws if an Iep isnt being followed. This isn't the case here. Many in poorer districts don't get the services their specialists think are necessary (I know preaching to the choir here). What do you do when your kid isn't getting the necessary accommodations/support, they're in the midst of a serious depression from relentless bullying, you can't afford a lawyer, and efforts to bring your concerns to the superintendent leads nowhere?
Start with the state. There is a committee that handles sped stuff in every state just for stuff like this.
Change is slooooow at the state level and I live in the smallest state. Imagine in a place like Texas.
I generally agree with you in homeschooling. I think someone educated could do it well but even then they're missing out on a lot of real world prep (like having to work with peers that they naturally wouldn't gravitate towards/dealing with a teacher they don't like). I've heard horror stories of things special needs kids had to endure in public schools and parents who have pulled out to homeschool and the kids have jumped up tremendously with quality 1:1 support. I could see how one might argue they're missing other interventions that could happen in a classroom but not at home but when a kid is that stressed out from being in school they're not available for learning. I also don't think this is the norm-most public schools handle bullying appropriately and work with parents when a classroom placement isn't working out. I do think in some SSS circumstances it can be the right call.
I also agree that the kids with Ieps aren't the ones to worry about. My friends child was dx with ADHD a few years ago, only qualified for a 504, is doing poorly academically across the board and the school is shrugging their shoulders and saying someone has to be at the bottom of the curve. I feel for her.
Start with the state. There is a committee that handles sped stuff in every state just for stuff like this.
Change is slooooow at the state level and I live in the smallest state. Imagine in a place like Texas.
I generally agree with you in homeschooling. I think someone educated could do it well but even then they're missing out on a lot of real world prep (like having to work with peers that they naturally wouldn't gravitate towards/dealing with a teacher they don't like). I've heard horror stories of things special needs kids had to endure in public schools and parents who have pulled out to homeschool and the kids have jumped up tremendously with quality 1:1 support. I could see how one might argue they're missing other interventions that could happen in a classroom but not at home but when a kid is that stressed out from being in school they're not available for learning. I also don't think this is the norm-most public schools handle bullying appropriately and work with parents when a classroom placement isn't working out. I do think in some SSS circumstances it can be the right call.
I also agree that the kids with Ieps aren't the ones to worry about. My friends child was dx with ADHD a few years ago, only qualified for a 504, is doing poorly academically across the board and the school is shrugging their shoulders and saying someone has to be at the bottom of the curve. I feel for her.
That makes me so angry. We fail a lot of kids but we help a lot too.