awpitt
Main Streeter
You got it.
Putting him in the "special" school will mean that he will be around people who all have special needs when he should be around people in a normal environment which is the way it will be in real life.
Charles Co Dept of Ed has lost it's mind?
- Thread starter onebdzee
- Start date
You got it.
Putting him in the "special" school will mean that he will be around people who all have special needs when he should be around people in a normal environment which is the way it will be in real life.
He would not be placed in a "special" school; he would be placed in a regular high school with a Life Skills program more suited to his level of disability.
awpitt
Main Streeter
That's part of the problem. We don't know which school is best suited for his needs. We don't even know Logan. It just seems odd that for the last 8 or 9 school years, everything was fine and now all bets are off. Middle and high school isn't that drastically different. I'd say there's a bigger difference between elementary and middle. If the BOE had told Logan's Mom that he needed to go to the "special" school at the end of 5th grade, that would be more understandable.
awpitt
Main Streeter
Okay. Didn't realize that part. In this case, it would be simular to how some kids don't attend their "home" school because certain programs are only offered at certain schools. Sort of like how the STEM program works in St. Mary's.
Exactly. Each of the high schools in Charles County that has a Life Skills program is set up to educate those students with similar levels of disability. That way the programs can better focus on the particular needs of those students. It is far better than having a classroom of 6 or 7 students, all of whom may have extremely different needs. Teaching those non-communicative students confined to wheelchairs is very different than teaching high functioning Down's students, for example.
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awpitt
Main Streeter
It's unfortunate that they can't find a way to serve those needs in each of the high schools. Logan's Mom does make a good point about the impact of removing Logan from his life long friends. It sounds like he has a good support system around him. Removing that could do more harm than whatever benefit a life skills class might have.
BlissfulJumper
Equestrian :)
I actually do understand it.. I've lived this story. Even if Westlake isn't "set up" for Logan they are suppose to take the necessary actions to become appropriate for him. We had to do this with my brother, Great Mills wasn't completely right for him but they became right. And in most cases a lot of the time it comes down to just needing an aide
BlissfulJumper
Equestrian :)
They can serve the needs in each high school they just choose not too. We had a similar issue when my brother entered high school. I will agree that moving logan from a group of students he is comfortable with could be very harmful to his progress in a social environment
getbent
Thats how them b*tch's R
This is true. My daughter is on a bus for apprx 40 mins every morning for school.
nachomama
All Up In Your Grill
What do you think they are going to pay a bus contractor to provide a bus, bus driver and a bus attendant to transport this one child (quite possibly) back and forth from home to the special school for the course of a school year?
drivingdaisy
New Member
I'm sure the BOE/school is not doing it because it is "too much of a hassle." I'm sure they have their valid reasons, even if the family doesn't agree. Most people don't get in education because they don't want to be bothered with students.
In these times it might be financially impossible to start that program at Westlake. Haven't we seen enough threads about schools and budgets on here lately.
While I personally would love for all children to get the education they need at their own school, it probably is not a reality. Our country/society doesn't seem to value education enough to give enough funds for more personalized education on matter what their needs.
In these times it might be financially impossible to start that program at Westlake. Haven't we seen enough threads about schools and budgets on here lately.
While I personally would love for all children to get the education they need at their own school, it probably is not a reality. Our country/society doesn't seem to value education enough to give enough funds for more personalized education on matter what their needs.
Westlake has a Life Skills program, just not one appropriate for this student.
acommondisaster
Active Member
Read most of the posts and wanted to respond, as the parent of a special needs child. FB Gwynn is no longer (and hasn't been for many years) a school for special needs. It's now a place for "at risk" children. My daughter attended Gwynn until they decided it was better to farm the kids out to "all inclusive" schools.
The thing about Life Skills classes is that although they are now in "inclusive" settings, for the most part, they are pretty much stuck in a classroom, excluded from contact with the other students except at lunch. If they are higher functioning, sometimes they leave to attend a "regular" class, but return to their LS room after. They receive their speech/occupational/physical therapy in the LS classroom. They've got a "buddy" or two who come in and "interact" with them or do things like go to PE with them, etc. depending on the special needs student's level of function. While in the LS classroom, depending on their level, they learn life skills to help them be independent, but more importantly at the HS level, they may go out into the community and have "jobs".
Sounds to me like Westlake doesn't have a LS class with that sort of setting.
My daughter went to Stone, which had a GREAT LS classroom and I hated to have her leave it when we moved. She had several "buddies" and even 10 years later, people who went to school with her will come up and say hello to her. Wherever this young man goes, I'm sure the same will be true. I can tell that the mother was touched by how nice the other kids were to her son at the dance, but most assuredly the same sort of thing will happen wherever he goes, and he'll adapt.
Personally, (and I don't know the whole story after reading her letter) I think the mother ought to want her son in the Life Skills class that best fits his needs, rather than wanting him to be with friends. His Life Skills class will prepare him for adulthood - whereas his friends will go off to college and pretty much leave him behind as he lags further and further behind them. 30 minutes isn't a long busride.
The thing about Life Skills classes is that although they are now in "inclusive" settings, for the most part, they are pretty much stuck in a classroom, excluded from contact with the other students except at lunch. If they are higher functioning, sometimes they leave to attend a "regular" class, but return to their LS room after. They receive their speech/occupational/physical therapy in the LS classroom. They've got a "buddy" or two who come in and "interact" with them or do things like go to PE with them, etc. depending on the special needs student's level of function. While in the LS classroom, depending on their level, they learn life skills to help them be independent, but more importantly at the HS level, they may go out into the community and have "jobs".
Sounds to me like Westlake doesn't have a LS class with that sort of setting.
My daughter went to Stone, which had a GREAT LS classroom and I hated to have her leave it when we moved. She had several "buddies" and even 10 years later, people who went to school with her will come up and say hello to her. Wherever this young man goes, I'm sure the same will be true. I can tell that the mother was touched by how nice the other kids were to her son at the dance, but most assuredly the same sort of thing will happen wherever he goes, and he'll adapt.
Personally, (and I don't know the whole story after reading her letter) I think the mother ought to want her son in the Life Skills class that best fits his needs, rather than wanting him to be with friends. His Life Skills class will prepare him for adulthood - whereas his friends will go off to college and pretty much leave him behind as he lags further and further behind them. 30 minutes isn't a long busride.
Also having a special needs student (20 years old) I'm using your post as a jumping in point. I agree with a lot of what you said.
I've read through the thread & need to re-read the story & school system details again without skimming. BUT, a couple of things pop into my head on this.
Many parents sometimes balk at what is considered in the special education law language as "least restrictive environment" (or best interest of the student) But not knowing the CC schools, and only going by what you said about the Gwynn Center - it doesn't sound like that would be the least restrictive environment for that student. Just my first impression.
My son is very high functioning, but he cannot learn in a traditional-sized classroom. He couldn't stay focused with so much going on in a class and that would inevitably lead to behavior issues. I was very concerned about mainstreaming him into that population of students for his academic classes. He did fine with the elective classes & PE, etc. I've had to fight this at times, because it IS MORE restrictive to be in a "self-contained" (as they are sometimes referred to) classroom. But I felt it was in his overall best interest longterm. Looking back, I think I was right about it for him academisc-wise. However, he had social skills issues and that has been the trade-off. As he's gotten older, the school population becomes more tolerant, and it is working out. He also interacts with adults with disabilities in other areas of his life, so that is also helping.
Anyway, the parents do have the right to due process if they don't agree with the school district's findings. IMO, the least restrictive environment for this student doesn't seem to be the Gwynne School if the population of students are at risk students, etc.
I'll have to read more on it later when I have the time.
acommondisaster
Active Member
Just a quick reply - Gwynn Center is for "at risk"...ie behavioral problems, kids who have been dumped by their parents, that sort of thing. It's no longer, nor has it been for many years, a "special ed" school. Prior to its current status, it was a resource center. Least restrictive is done in the public schools.
This is correct. They don't have to provide those special education programs in *each* school in a particular district.
My son attends a HS that is not his home school. I cannot demand that the program be offered in each school, because that is NOT what the IDEA law stipulates.
And yes, it takes longer for him to get to school. And yes, he does go to school with kids not in his neighborhood.
After reading the mother's FB page, and the letters to the Baynet - I think there are just too many unknowns about her son's particular case to be able to say which side is correct in this.
I would have to know what other school the CCPS district is sending their son to in order to understand if the FAPE (free appropriate education) & LRE (least restrictive environment) argument is applicable. I don't recall seeing the name of the school in the stories I read. Did I miss it?
These definitions in the IDEA law state nothing about this being required in the student's HOME SCHOOL. I didn't find that anywhere. From personal experience, my son has attended school in 3 different states and in no state did they create a special class/program for him in his home school. In fact, he's almost always attended a school other than his home school for every level of his education.
I don't know that the parents are right (or wrong) in this. It sounds as if the school district IS trying to provide this student with a FAPE in the LRE. Just because that program is not in the home school does NOT mean they have to provide it in that school. Free and appropriate does not mean "the best" or "we will go out of our way only for you". If it's offered someplace - that's where he'll be going.
No matter what, the IDEA laws govern this whole situation, so the parents will have to prove the LEA is wrong. My links below are from Wikipedia ONLY because they outline things in an easier to find format. All sources are accurately cited at the bottom of the page.
I would have to know what other school the CCPS district is sending their son to in order to understand if the FAPE (free appropriate education) & LRE (least restrictive environment) argument is applicable. I don't recall seeing the name of the school in the stories I read. Did I miss it?
These definitions in the IDEA law state nothing about this being required in the student's HOME SCHOOL. I didn't find that anywhere. From personal experience, my son has attended school in 3 different states and in no state did they create a special class/program for him in his home school. In fact, he's almost always attended a school other than his home school for every level of his education.
I don't know that the parents are right (or wrong) in this. It sounds as if the school district IS trying to provide this student with a FAPE in the LRE. Just because that program is not in the home school does NOT mean they have to provide it in that school. Free and appropriate does not mean "the best" or "we will go out of our way only for you". If it's offered someplace - that's where he'll be going.
No matter what, the IDEA laws govern this whole situation, so the parents will have to prove the LEA is wrong. My links below are from Wikipedia ONLY because they outline things in an easier to find format. All sources are accurately cited at the bottom of the page.
acommondisaster
Active Member
They'll be on a special bus with other children from their neighborhood (and other neighborhoods as practical) going to the school they're attending. In the 18+ years that my daughter was bussed to schools throughout the county she was never the only child on a bus.
Hi, I am Logan's mom, thanks for your interest in our story. Actually we did try to talk to everyone involved in the decision. Only a few have returned our phone calls. Initially the decision for his placement was made by one person and then the rest just got in line and unfortunately they would not even consider any suggestions we had.
Hi, I am Logan's mom and I am very curious as to how you would know what program is appropriate for him. At this point that is something that is under debate and has not been decided. The answer will not be determined until all the facts have been investigated, presented and discussed by the experts. Thank you for your interest in our story.