The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows - Part 7: FL's 'Other' Voucher Program, for Students with Disabilities

Responses to this Jeb series, from The Daytona Beach News-Journal's forum ^ | Dec. 19, 2001 | summer

[Vigilanteman]

BTTT

[summer]

Vigilanteman, Thanks for that bump, and Merry Christmas! :)

[Concentrate]

No, because this thread is really not about the NEA. It is about a new law signed by Gov. Bush, creating a scholarship / voucher program for students with disabilities.

But how is it possible that a thread about a new law signed by Govenour Bush, creating a voucher/scholarship program for students with disabilities not concern the NEA? Aren't they the top decision makers as to what their union brothers and sisters do? Do they have any influence?

[summer]

If a parent wants to enroll their disabled child in this program, they do not apply to the NEA.

[summer]

If a parent = If parents

[summer]

Aren't they the top decision makers as to what their union brothers and sisters do?
<br. Furthermore, if NEA members who are teachers -- and, also, parents of disabled students -- want to enroll their child in this program, the NEA can not stop them from doing so. I have no doubt that among the 14,000 calls from interested parents to the state, in quiring about these scholarships / vouchers, you would find some NEA teachers who are also parents of disabled students.

[summer]

Aren't they the top decision makers as to what their union brothers and sisters do?

Not exactly, because if teachers who are NEA members -- and who are also parents of disabled students -- want to enroll theirdisabled child in this program, the NEA can not stop them from doing so. I have no doubt that among the "14,000 calls" from interested parents to the state, inquiring about these scholarships / vouchers, you would find some NEA teachers who are also parents of disabled students.

[Eska]

Bump for the great article. As I see it, the special needs segment of population is growing faster than any other; leading the way down the federalization path.

I see many special ed kids that succeed due to the implementation of IDEA type legislation. I also see that 30-40% that develop the learned helplessness and will become societal burdens forever. I think this occurs because they come up through grade school being handed everything at every point in their education, become lazy, and refuse to even think for themselves; always telling you that they have a disability and "don't understand, would you please do it for me" Sad.

The good (IDEA) far surpasses the bad, but any improvements are welcome and necessary.

[Achilleus66]

Sun-Shiney, Orangey, Palmy BUMP!

[summer]

Thanks so much for posting on this thread -- I appreciate your kind words and support! :)

[ClaireSolt]

Sounds good to me. Parents are in a better position to figure out what is best for their children. Special ed. has been the biggest success story of the last 50 years. The teachers are usually the best in the school from the point of view of flexibility and caring. However, pull-out programs are disruptive and carry a stigma in the school community whether the child is labled gifted or challenged.

Too much emphasis on special ed, however, has left the average kid illiterate. It is sometimes abused to gain additional funding to the detriment of the children. It is my understanding that this builds on the Milwaukee voucher program, where disabled students are most likely to exercise their voucher.

Note: the $7000 voucher is twice the average per pupil expenditure in Florida. It is probably worth it. Also, if parents can find specialized programs, classroom teachers can return to teaching techniques that work with most pupils and get away from trying to customize the basic ed of most children.

[summer]

The teachers are usually the best in the school from the point of view of flexibility and caring. However, pull-out programs are disruptive and carry a stigma in the school community whether the child is labled gifted or challenged.

Hi Claire, thanks for your comments. That has been my experience too, observing teachers in public schools where I have taught, as the special ed teachers are usually the most outstanding on the faculty in terms of caring and flexibilitiy. But, I agree with you -- the programs in the public schools do not always seem designed to best serve the needs of special ed kids.

[cport]

Bump for summer!

[summer]

Thanks, cport! :)

[kinganamort]

bump

[summer]

Thanks so much, kinganamort! :)

[summer]

Another wacky post from me. Thought you might enjoy it. :)

[summer]

BTW, thanks for your insightful comments on this thread! (NOT)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

moneyrunner, BTW, I'm sorry I flagged you twice. It's OK that you didn't post. I knew you would probably just insult me, anyway. But, I was just curious what you would have said about this topic. :)