what does a blog on theology have to do with problems in education, and what do they have to do with issues of justice? a lot, I think. here's my dilemma... I've been serving on this committee at a local public middle school for the last three years to help re-envision how the middle school delivers education to its constituents. this last year I've been serving on a sub-committee to do with special education. this sub-committee, made up of myself, another parent, at least two regular ed teachers, a reading specialist, and three special ed teachers has worked their butts off over this last school year. our responsibility came down to presenting a report, as part of the greater committee, to the school board a couple of weeks ago. before I get into that, I want to say that I have no background or experience in special education, but I do have a passion for middle school students. what I learned as part of this sub-committee has blown me away - that is, this middle school's delivery of special education, and its ability to help kids who are just on the cusp of falling behind is so bassackwards it's scary. for the record, when our report was made, the school board agreed with our assessment that there was a problem, but there was no money to make any changes. UGH.
my question to you is, do you think that if this school board and the administration of this middle school know that their special education department is swamped and short-handed, and that there are several dozen students who are falling through the cracks because of the disorganization of the school, that this is a justice issue? are these students being treated in a truly unjust manner? are they victims of somebody else's political issues, whether on the school board or in the administration? what does God have to say to this situation? while this may not be a "spiritual" issue, is it not in the best interests of the christians to stand up for what's important, necessary, or just darn good for the students who are in need? is it okay to push a kid through secondary education knowing that by the time he or she graduates they'll be qualified to flip burgers or pump gas? yes, the world needs ditch diggers, but are we guilty of narrowing the options for these kids if we knowingly allow them to go through a school that is preventing them from having the same options for life as the student who is getting straight 'A's?
what do you think?
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As you know that I have had a great deal of experience with special education and feel your findings absurd and unacceptable. Having said that, I as a parent have maintained a strong link with not only the spec. ed. teachers but also the reg. teachers. I think that more parents need to be much more involved, even if it means teaching your child the assigment so they can grasp it. Now not all spec. ed. students are the same - some being more severe than others - but if they are able to fall through the cracks then maybe the parents of these children need to take a stand. I am thankful that our school has such a strong spec. ed. department, but for a long time had not utilized them even when I could/should have. I bore the "burden" of the gift given to me and it was hard but we are all better for it. I do feel that it is an injustice to the students, that if the spec. ed department/school district is aware of the problem yet does nothing through legislation for education then they need to be held accountable. Their main responsibility is to all students.
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