That is the way it is supposed to happen, or should happen.
It does not always happen that way..contrary what your own experience was or is.
To damn every teacher is wrong as Love seems so willing and bent on doing...at least thats the impression she gives with remarks like: Of course most teachers just sit there and don’t say a word at these meetings as they are more interested in collecting their paychecks then stepping up to the plate and stating the child needs supports.
This only serves to alienate everyone from each other.
I know alot of very good and caring teachers that were handcuffed by the support they were given. It puts them into a lose lose situation. They have the included child and their parents ..and the other children and their parents. Obviously by the comments Ive seen on here ..thankless.
Instead of this put down bickering ...which serves NO ONE....both sides can converse to make the system work. For all the kids. Each should walk a mile in the other shoes before remarks are hurled like swords. Then and only then will anything be accomplished to make the system work....
one more time for the chorus...
Adult egos should get out of the way.
What a second here — as an advocate I understand the system. I understand that teachers are threatened by Administration to not open their mouths at IEP meetings (reason for my collect a paycheck comment) and they don’t cause they want their jobs.
IDEA dictates that the child should learn in the environment that they would have been taught in without a disability. The LRE must afford every support to make that happen. If that environment is not appropriate for the child even with full supports then a continuum of alternative placements are explored.
With the child in question, he was thrown into a LRE without any supports at all. He cannot be productive in an inclusion setting without supports. He cannot access the general curriculum without supports. That is the issue here, not the workload of a teacher who has done nothing to secure this child the supports he needs.
Either way, either shoe — the fault and frustration should be directed at the school district, not the child. She chose to direct it at the child and the federal regulations put in place to protect the child. She can be a grownup now and take the heat for her statement.
Egos? I think her ego “I am so offended” is pretty much the only one on display here.
“I know alot of very good and caring teachers that were handcuffed by the support they were given.”
I think that was Lovesbloggers point. If this teacher is handcuffed it’s due to lack of knowledge, or just not doing it. The teachers are very empowered, as are the parents. If a teacher goes to the ARD meetings and explains what the situation is, and demands the IED be met (an aide, more training, etc ) the parents aren’t going to tell the teacher that she can’t have those things. Now you’ve got the teacher and the parents pulling for the same thing. It’s not hard to swing 1 more and then you can change the kids IED to include whatever is required, at that point it can’t be denied, as it’s mandated by law. but you have to go to the meetings, and you have to know how the system works, and a lot of this happens “off the clock”. I’m not saying rwkansas isn’t doing their best, but rather needs to find out what is possible, and make that happen. The teacher is, after all, responsible for the class, and each student in it.