Seclusion & Restraint in Calvert County Public Schools

[Misfit]

The Hell rooms of Calvert County Public Schools Part I: Seclusion & Restraint

“Seclusion and restraint.” It probably isn’t a term with which most people are familiar. If the unfamiliar person were to wager a guess at just what exactly does “seclusion and restraint” mean, images of maximum security prisons or the interrogation of terrorism suspects might come to mind...

smnewsnet.com

The Hell Rooms of Calvert County Public Schools: Part II

Waller Squared Media Productions investigation into this matter has revealed that the Stephens experience is not a unique or isolated experience in Calvert County, or other Maryland counties for that matter. The publication of our first article has resulted in a number of families from Southern...

smnewsnet.com

 

[vraiblonde]

Recap:

Special needs kid is defiant and frequently engages in violence.
Teachers restrain him and put him in seclusion.
Dad doesn't like that.

This story is told entirely from the Dad's POV. I'd like to hear what the teachers/etc have to say. What should happen with kids who are unruly and disruptive? Just let them run amok until they hurt themselves or someone else?

I've never been a fan of mainstreaming special needs students. I don't think the public school system is equipped to deal with them, and your random everyday teacher certainly isn't. There used to be schools with trained staff for kids who had various disabilities, what happened to that?

This story is clearly agenda-driven, but doesn't offer much in the way of solutions.

 

[RareBreed]

My HS had special needs kids kept separate from the rest of us. There was a glass-like wall between us and we were told to never go through the door. Very weird experience but it kept the peace for everyone. We didn't harass them and they didn't disrupt our classes.

 

[vraiblonde]

My HS had special needs kids kept separate from the rest of us. There was a glass-like wall between us and we were told to never go through the door. Very weird experience but it kept the peace for everyone. We didn't harass them and they didn't disrupt our classes.

When I was in HS special needs kids had their own school. They'd come in supervised groups - like a field trip - to use our pool, athletic field, and other facilities, and we (the students) could volunteer to help out.

I don't recall ever having a special needs person in any of the schools I went to. They had a school with classes tailored to their needs, and staff that was trained to educate and assist them.

 

[RoseRed]

I don't recall having any special needs kids in school when I was coming up. But, when I was in middle school, sister and I played softball for Parks & Rec. She was All Stars. I was put WAAAAYYYY out in the outfield and had to practice with the only special needs kid on our team. She was nice and everyone laughed at me.

 

[BernieP]

I don't recall having any special needs kids in school when I was coming up. But, when I was in middle school, sister and I played softball for Parks & Rec. She was All Stars. I was put WAAAAYYYY out in the outfield and had to practice with the only special needs kid on our team. She was nice and everyone laughed at me.

Do you always talk about yourself in the third person?

 

[RoseRed]

Do you always talk about yourself in the third person?

I was hoping that would have escaped some of you.

 

[BernieP]

Some people should go back and learn to read. The story is told by Waller Squared Media - see crededentials of Mr. Waller

The one father is the only person willing to go on record. However there are other parents who have submitted evidece.
Mr. Waller also highlighted the difference between MD state law and the policy implemented by Calvert County Public Schools.
Even after the state board of education issued additional guidelines, the CCPS has not updated their policy.

Unfortunately the days of seperate schools or even classrooms are gone, long gone. Unfortunately systems in this area have been slow, if not resistant to the changes demanded under federal and state laws. The primary reasaon is funding. You need money for the additional staff and training.

I think Mr. Waller did an excellent job of relating the facts and it was clear that the CCPS policy was very lenient in allwoing staff to simply remove a difficult child from the class room, as opposed to the state guideline which was physical harm.
Mr. Waller listed the accounts, from the school reports, of the childs behavior. Throwing water (at the staff) should not be a threat to their well being unless they are the wicked witch and melt.
The state recognizes, as does the father, that when dealing with autistic children (and adults), it's often counter productive to phyically restrain them, even touch them. Then hold them in isolation. It's the equivalent to throwing gas on a fire.

I suggest you read the stories again and not jump to conclusions. There was no whitewashing of the behavioral issues, simply that the school system policy is opposed to the state policy and guidelines.

 

[Yooper]

When I was in HS special needs kids had their own school. They'd come in supervised groups - like a field trip - to use our pool, athletic field, and other facilities, and we (the students) could volunteer to help out.

I don't recall ever having a special needs person in any of the schools I went to. They had a school with classes tailored to their needs, and staff that was trained to educate and assist them.

I can't help but wonder that despite best intentions we haven't quite figured out how to mainstream in a way that satisfies all concerned. My growing up experience was as Vrai described. Lots of folks didn't like it (found it offensive and exclusionary), but ti seemed to achieve the best all around results.

Public education. A mess in so many ways.

--- End of line (MCP)

 

[NextJen]

Growing up in PG County, I went to Ritchie Elementary School in Forestville. They built a school right next to Ritchie Elem. that was for special needs children. It was named Wheatley. I think it covered all ages of school children, but I'm not sure.
I believe Wheatley eventually took over both buildings some time after I was out of Elementary school and it was all for special needs children.

A quick Google search seems to show that it is now an Early Childhood Center - Pre-K to 4 years old. Doesn't say anything about special needs.

 

[RoseRed]

Growing up in PG County, I went to Ritchie Elementary School in Forestville. They built a school right next to Ritchie Elem. that was for special needs children. It was named Wheatley. I think it covered all ages of school children, but I'm not sure.
I believe Wheatley eventually took over both buildings some time after I was out of Elementary school and it was all for special needs children.

A quick Google search seems to show that it is now an Early Childhood Center - Pre-K to 4 years old. Doesn't say anything about special needs.

I thought there was a thread about this place a few years ago, I can't find it...

 

[GURPS]

we haven't quite figured out how to mainstream in a way that satisfies all concerned.

Nor Should THEY Be ... frankly the public school system barely handles 'normal' children

 

[Hessian]

As a Teacher...one has to tighten the jaw, resolve to endure a whole year of disruption, conferences, screwed up schedules, and planning sessions when admin places a special needs child in a classroom. Typically NO allowance is made for the class size, and depending on the IEP you may get some assistance from an Aide. This assignment is NOT a measure of confidence from the School's Admin...it can be a subtle message to get you so frustrated you'll quit. Accommodation of the one, ruins the environment for the many. Truly toxic. Sad but true.

 

[vraiblonde]

As a Teacher...one has to tighten the jaw, resolve to endure a whole year of disruption, conferences, screwed up schedules, and planning sessions when admin places a special needs child in a classroom. Typically NO allowance is made for the class size, and depending on the IEP you may get some assistance from an Aide. This assignment is NOT a measure of confidence from the School's Admin...it can be a subtle message to get you so frustrated you'll quit. Accommodation of the one, ruins the environment for the many. Truly toxic. Sad but true.

It's also no good for the special needs kids. If they have special needs, why wouldn't that be accommodated in an appropriate school instead of "mainstreaming", which pretty much ignores any special needs that child might have?

I don't understand why parents would find it offensive or exclusionary for their child to receive the extra help s/he requires. You'd think they'd want their kid to be in the best learning environment for their needs.

 

[BernieP]

It's also no good for the special needs kids. If they have special needs, why wouldn't that be accommodated in an appropriate school instead of "mainstreaming", which pretty much ignores any special needs that child might have?

I don't understand why parents would find it offensive or exclusionary for their child to receive the extra help s/he requires. You'd think they'd want their kid to be in the best learning environment for their needs.

Frankly I don't know why inclusion is the end all be all now either.
I can tell you from experience that there is a range of disabilities out there. I knew a highly regarded educator in the field of special education, he worked for a private boarding school for special needs children - I would say for the well to do.
One thing I remember him saying about something I was assisting with, "never mix emotionally / socially" disturbed children with those with physical disabilities.
Even if you had a school for "special needs" students, it would be difficult to handles the spectrum.
The problem is, a disablity in one area doesn't mean the student can't be brilliant in another.

I think the most important thing is to educate the public, and the educators, on what learning disabilities really are.
So many people assume someone with an IEP is just stupid, the class dummy. Fact is the test actually compares their functional IQ to their performance IQ. Many test in the gifted if not genius ranges on the functional IQ but score much lower on the performance.

Going back to the story, the boy had at least three things that would be treated differently, autism, anxiety and ADHD.
I'd have to make them wear a chart, like on the bed in the hospital, with the diagnosis and treatment plans. Just so I was sure what I was dealing with who.

 

[Yooper]

Frankly I don't know why inclusion is the end all be all now either.
I can tell you from experience that there is a range of disabilities out there. I knew a highly regarded educator in the field of special education, he worked for a private boarding school for special needs children - I would say for the well to do.
One thing I remember him saying about something I was assisting with, "never mix emotionally / socially" disturbed children with those with physical disabilities.
Even if you had a school for "special needs" students, it would be difficult to handles the spectrum.
The problem is, a disablity in one area doesn't mean the student can't be brilliant in another.

I think the most important thing is to educate the public, and the educators, on what learning disabilities really are.
So many people assume someone with an IEP is just stupid, the class dummy. Fact is the test actually compares their functional IQ to their performance IQ. Many test in the gifted if not genius ranges on the functional IQ but score much lower on the performance.

Going back to the story, the boy had at least three things that would be treated differently, autism, anxiety and ADHD.
I'd have to make them wear a chart, like on the bed in the hospital, with the diagnosis and treatment plans. Just so I was sure what I was dealing with who.

Great add. Thank you.

It's my sense that the biggest "problem" is probably not the child or the school system, but the child's/children's parents. And I can't say I blame them; so much self-esteem is packaged with one's kid, I'm surprised more parents don't succumb to the self-pressure of demanding mainstreaming....

I suspect most parents do just fine when their child stands out as a virtuoso, but far less do well when the child is at the other end of the achievement spectrum. Not at all a criticism; my wife and I were blessed to have a nice bunch of "bell curve" kids and upon reflection I'm not sure how well I would have handled it if any of them were of the "+/- 2 Standard Deviations" variety.

Again, thanks for the post.

--- End of line (MCP)

 

[foxxynhounds]

I have 5 kids - 2 by adoption (both with special needs) and 3 by birth (2 have mild/moderate learning disabilities).

I do feel that kids with disabilities benefit from being with their typically developing peers - to learn appropriate social skills, some degree of parallel learning of academics, etc. And, typically developing kids do benefit from developing the empathy and compassion necessary to deal with disabled individuals. "Out of sight" leads to "out of mind" and doesn't promote the best outcomes for eventual inclusion of individuals with disabilities later in life. They don't just disappear as adults - most will need some sort of support to be productive members of society.

Now, before you roast me...

The school system is poorly set up to handle kids with mild/moderate LDs, much less kids with more severe cognitive/behavioral issues (as with my 2 adopted children). I feel bad for the teachers that have to accommodate my two typically developing children with LDs, and wish the school would provide more resources to support them (though I realize funding just isn't there). Both of those children benefit greatly from a gen ed classroom, and would do even better with appropriate supports. They don't need separate schooling, per se, but the curriculum does need to be modified some for them. I don't feel this should fall on the shoulders of the gen ed teacher - there should be dedicated staff helping them (and other students with similar issues). And given what I know about costs of this type of support - it would be cheaper than a completely separate environment.

My other two children don't belong in public schools, yet it has been a hassle to try to get them the into the separate schooling environments they need. The public schools prefer to warehouse them in classrooms within the school, with inadequately trained (or concerned) staff in inadequate numbers, set the bar low on IEPs and claim success when they're really only keeping the child alive. THAT is an awful situation. Yes, it keeps everyone else safe from their behaviors or not impacted by their more extreme learning disabilities, but it doesn't do them any good.

The better situations are the schools specifically set up to meet their needs - but it takes years if proving the public schools can't in order to get that approved. And when the bar is simply set at keeping them alive - that's hard to prove.

 

[Yooper]

Now, before you roast me...

No roast from me. I thought it a GREAT post. Thank you for adding to a conversation on a very tough subject.

--- End of line (MCP)

 

[MiddleGround]

Unfortunately the days of seperate schools or even classrooms are gone, long gone. Unfortunately systems in this area have been slow, if not resistant to the changes demanded under federal and state laws. The primary reasaon is funding. You need money for the additional staff and training.

Good thing the $1B+ in casino revenues from the state each and every year is helping with funding education...huh?

 

[Bann]

Recap:

Special needs kid is defiant and frequently engages in violence.
Teachers restrain him and put him in seclusion.
Dad doesn't like that.

This story is told entirely from the Dad's POV. I'd like to hear what the teachers/etc have to say. What should happen with kids who are unruly and disruptive? Just let them run amok until they hurt themselves or someone else?

I've never been a fan of mainstreaming special needs students. I don't think the public school system is equipped to deal with them, and your random everyday teacher certainly isn't. There used to be schools with trained staff for kids who had various disabilities, what happened to that?

This story is clearly agenda-driven, but doesn't offer much in the way of solutions.

And I agree with this post!

You know that I have a lot of experience and knowledge in this field, and you also know what a lot of the personal knowledge and experience is .

I have posted elsewhere on this forum about some of that and also about my opinions on inclusion. I don't disagree with the concept of inclusion at all, but I also think that it is NOT always the best situation for each student. I had to advocate very strongly AGAINST inclusion for my son during his school career, often fighting the school systems in the diffferent states we lived. It was the best thing I did for him, and I would do it again.

Thing1 was not able to learn in a setting with 25+ kids. He was not a student with "behavior problems", but in a setting of that many kids - he became one. He couldn't pay attention to all of the goings on with so many people in a room, and it isn't that he had ADHD - that doesn't describe him at all. He was not able to focus on one thing because he was bombarded by all the extraneous "stuff" going on. His brain couldn't discriminate or filter out the stimuli he didn't need to pay attention to. So THEN he began doing things that caused him to be a behavior problem, of course.

It was more important to me that he be "labeled" with his disability, rather than labeled a behavior problem. He may have suffered somewhat in his social skills, and socialization, but by God, he LEARNED. He got a diploma, and not just a certificate. (not that there is anything wrong with that, but he was able to learn - and MY job as his mother was to make sure the schools taught him so he could learn.

I would do it again. Not all kids are inclusion material. Parents need to set their egos aside and do what is best for their children's future. Shoving their children into classes because THEY ARE ENTITLED doesn't help their child learn anything but that they are spoiled rotten and catered to their whole life.