[WVKayaker]

What's an IEP? More money is spent on a particular child! If drugging them doesn't work, then they can kick them into an IEP, and sweep them under the rug!

No child left behind, ya' know! It goes along with the new Mandatory Psychological testing programs...

Don't ya' just luv Amerika?

[GAB-1955]

My niece is going to end up a productive, working citizen instead of being on welfare the rest of her life. Would you rather spend the money now or later?

[srmorton]

Everyone wants to blame situations like this on No Child Left Behind (and therefore on President Bush), but the concept of "mainstreaming" Special Education students was taking place long before NCLB,which mainly addresses academic progress. The liberals in education did not want these students to "feel different" so, instead of being in a separate classroom taught by those who were trained to deal with their particular problems, they were placed in "regular" classrooms. This left one teacher to deal with the special needs of one student (which could even include catherization for incontinent students) while trying to teach a full class of "normal" students. On its face, the idea is ridiculous, but is still practiced in some school systems.

The other point I would make is that the classroom is NOT a democracy. The teacher is in charge and is responsible for the conduct of the class. If he/she encounters a problem that can not be handled by the teacher, they have the option of seeking the advice and help of the principal or the school counselor.

[tickles]

ACtually an IEP helped keep my child with mental disablities from being treated as a lump.

Many mildly/moderately delayed children are capable of learning much more then how to wash tables in the cafeteria after their peers get done with lunch. Many children with Autism/Aspergars can learn to deal with the sensory issues if the program is a good one. A good behavioral assessment would have helped wonders with this child, but doing what this teacher is said to have done is way over the top for ANY child.

YMMV of course.

[SoftballMominVA]

Individual Education Plans have been in place since IDEA was passed in 1974. IDEA has been reauthorized by every president since - from Reagan to Bush II. It has nothing to do with NCLB