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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/jeff-sessions-slammed-law-protecting-schoolchildren-disabilities_us_583cf751e4b06539a78a3bdc
WASHINGTON ? Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), president-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, once complained about a law that helped mainstream disabled children into public school systems.
In May 2000, Sessions took to the senate floor to make a lengthy speech on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, arguing that federal protections for students with disabilities was a reason U.S. public schools were failing.
“We have created a complex system of federal regulations and laws that have created lawsuit after lawsuit, special treatment for certain children, and that are a big factor in accelerating the decline in civility and discipline in classrooms all over America. I say that very sincerely,” Sessions said.
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In his speech before Congress, Sessions referenced letters he had received from educators in his home state to argue that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was preventing teachers from being able to properly discipline troubled or disruptive students. Instead of creating a comforting classroom, he insisted, it was causing disorder and chaos. “We have children we cannot control because of this federal law,” he said.
Sessions added that such federal protections “may be the single most irritating problem for teachers throughout America today.”
The law, which passed in 1975, was enacted to protect disabled children from the school administrators that Sessions cited. It required schools to grant students with disabilities an education in a general classroom when possible and encouraged the parents of those children to be more intimately involved in their education. The legislation, which has been reformed various times since, is credited with providing millions of children with mainstream public school access and support.
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Great... 
So, how many more "chances" am I supposed to give to Trump?
I keep waiting for one positive thing to post about him... I keep looking, but haven't found anything yet....
Message edited 11/29/2016 9:37:34 AM.
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Posted 11/29/16 9:37 AM  |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Uggh, this is horrendous.
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| Posted 11/29/16 9:54 AM |
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ohbaby08
Winter is Coming
Member since 10/07 1718 total posts
Name:
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Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
MAKE IT STOP
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| Posted 11/29/16 9:55 AM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
F*CK YOU TRUMP
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| Posted 11/29/16 10:17 AM |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9511 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
I am not that familiar with his whole speech or the motivations behind it however I would like to state this. My sister in law is a special ed teacher in a self contained classroom in NJ. She had a child in her class a few years ago that was violent and incredibly disruptive to the class. He did not belong in general ed, even in the self contained classroom. He belonged in a school that specialized in individuals with his disabilities. He needed to learn life skills, not social studies and science. But because the parents had the right to have him in the general ed school it impossible to have him removed. It was disruptive to all of the other students in the classroom and it was unfair to them. Almost all of her time was focused on keeping herself and the other children safe from this one child.
My sister in law is very sympathetic to children with disabilities. My other sister in law (her sister) has CP and my MIL had to fight her entire life to have my sister in law be in general ed. She had to fight to get handicap accessibility in the public schools and numerous other things so that my SIL got what she deserved. But that doesn't mean that there aren't cases like the child I described above that do not belong in general ed and them being there does a disservice to all the other children in that classroom.
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| Posted 11/29/16 10:24 AM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Posted by lululu
I am not that familiar with his whole speech or the motivations behind it however I would like to state this. My sister in law is a special ed teacher in a self contained classroom in NJ. She had a child in her class a few years ago that was violent and incredibly disruptive to the class. He did not belong in general ed, even in the self contained classroom. He belonged in a school that specialized in individuals with his disabilities. He needed to learn life skills, not social studies and science. But because the parents had the right to have him in the general ed school it impossible to have him removed. It was disruptive to all of the other students in the classroom and it was unfair to them. Almost all of her time was focused on keeping herself and the other children safe from this one child.
My sister in law is very sympathetic to children with disabilities. My other sister in law (her sister) has CP and my MIL had to fight her entire life to have my sister in law be in general ed. She had to fight to get handicap accessibility in the public schools and numerous other things so that my SIL got what she deserved. But that doesn't mean that there aren't cases like the child I described above that do not belong in general ed and them being there does a disservice to all the other children in that classroom.
Any hardship caused by "disruptive" children is FAR outweighed by the benefits and protections this act provides for some of our most vulnerable students.
And I can assure you (general you) that this is FAR from the "single most irritating problem for teachers throughout America today."
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| Posted 11/29/16 10:43 AM |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9511 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Posted by JennP
Posted by lululu
I am not that familiar with his whole speech or the motivations behind it however I would like to state this. My sister in law is a special ed teacher in a self contained classroom in NJ. She had a child in her class a few years ago that was violent and incredibly disruptive to the class. He did not belong in general ed, even in the self contained classroom. He belonged in a school that specialized in individuals with his disabilities. He needed to learn life skills, not social studies and science. But because the parents had the right to have him in the general ed school it impossible to have him removed. It was disruptive to all of the other students in the classroom and it was unfair to them. Almost all of her time was focused on keeping herself and the other children safe from this one child.
My sister in law is very sympathetic to children with disabilities. My other sister in law (her sister) has CP and my MIL had to fight her entire life to have my sister in law be in general ed. She had to fight to get handicap accessibility in the public schools and numerous other things so that my SIL got what she deserved. But that doesn't mean that there aren't cases like the child I described above that do not belong in general ed and them being there does a disservice to all the other children in that classroom.
Any hardship caused by "disruptive" children is FAR outweighed by the benefits and protections this act provides for some of our most vulnerable students.
And I can assure you (general you) that this is FAR from the "single most irritating problem for teachers throughout America today."
I honestly don't know enough about the act and I didn't read his entire speech but I do know that like everything there is abuse and I don't think that we should crucify him for speaking out against that. Repealing the act is clearly way too far to address the problem he is referring to, but wanting reform so that people can't abuse it is not crazy to me.
I do agree - saying it is the single most irritating problem is very extreme and very unrealistic.
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| Posted 11/29/16 10:56 AM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Posted by lululu
Posted by JennP
Posted by lululu
I am not that familiar with his whole speech or the motivations behind it however I would like to state this. My sister in law is a special ed teacher in a self contained classroom in NJ. She had a child in her class a few years ago that was violent and incredibly disruptive to the class. He did not belong in general ed, even in the self contained classroom. He belonged in a school that specialized in individuals with his disabilities. He needed to learn life skills, not social studies and science. But because the parents had the right to have him in the general ed school it impossible to have him removed. It was disruptive to all of the other students in the classroom and it was unfair to them. Almost all of her time was focused on keeping herself and the other children safe from this one child.
My sister in law is very sympathetic to children with disabilities. My other sister in law (her sister) has CP and my MIL had to fight her entire life to have my sister in law be in general ed. She had to fight to get handicap accessibility in the public schools and numerous other things so that my SIL got what she deserved. But that doesn't mean that there aren't cases like the child I described above that do not belong in general ed and them being there does a disservice to all the other children in that classroom.
Any hardship caused by "disruptive" children is FAR outweighed by the benefits and protections this act provides for some of our most vulnerable students.
And I can assure you (general you) that this is FAR from the "single most irritating problem for teachers throughout America today."
I honestly don't know enough about the act and I didn't read his entire speech but I do know that like everything there is abuse and I don't think that we should crucify him for speaking out against that. Repealing the act is clearly way too far to address the problem he is referring to, but wanting reform so that people can't abuse it is not crazy to me.
I do agree - saying it is the single most irritating problem is very extreme and very unrealistic.
He is doing a lot more than "speaking out against abuse" though.
He is making dangerous and false connections between a law that has done wonders for some of the most vulnerable among us and our "failing" schools (quotes are mine because I think it's a gross oversimplification and a distortion of facts to say they're failing but that is sort of another topic.)
If he wanted to "speak out against abuse" and push for "reform" he would have approached it differently.
This is all part of a much bigger states' rights agenda that will do major damage to so many of us. It's so clear in all the plans that are being laid out.
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| Posted 11/29/16 11:09 AM |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9511 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Posted by JennP
He is doing a lot more than "speaking out against abuse" though.
He is making dangerous and false connections between a law that has done wonders for some of the most vulnerable among us and our "failing" schools (quotes are mine because I think it's a gross oversimplification and a distortion of facts to say they're failing but that is sort of another topic.)
If he wanted to "speak out against abuse" and push for "reform" he would have approached it differently.
This is all part of a much bigger states' rights agenda that will do major damage to so many of us. It's so clear in all the plans that are being laid out.
Did you read his speech in it's entirety or are you just going by what the huffington post said? I just found the speech:
Speech
It's actually EXACTLY what I was talking about. It's worth the read and I think that it's hard to argue with any of his points. He's asking for reform. He's not asking to repeal the act.
Again, this is the media twisting things where it suits them. I don't think anyone should really comment until they read the whole speech.
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| Posted 11/29/16 11:12 AM |
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Summergirl
LIF Infant
Member since 3/12 262 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Posted by lululu
Posted by JennP
He is doing a lot more than "speaking out against abuse" though.
He is making dangerous and false connections between a law that has done wonders for some of the most vulnerable among us and our "failing" schools (quotes are mine because I think it's a gross oversimplification and a distortion of facts to say they're failing but that is sort of another topic.)
If he wanted to "speak out against abuse" and push for "reform" he would have approached it differently.
This is all part of a much bigger states' rights agenda that will do major damage to so many of us. It's so clear in all the plans that are being laid out.
Did you read his speech in it's entirety or are you just going by what the huffington post said? I just found the speech:
Speech
It's actually EXACTLY what I was talking about. It's worth the read and I think that it's hard to argue with any of his points. He's asking for reform. He's not asking to repeal the act.
Again, this is the media twisting things where it suits them. I don't think anyone should really comment until they read the whole speech.
Exactly this! As soon as I see quotes from CNN or in this case Huff Po, I know there is probably more to the story.
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| Posted 11/29/16 12:05 PM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Posted by lululu
Posted by JennP
He is doing a lot more than "speaking out against abuse" though.
He is making dangerous and false connections between a law that has done wonders for some of the most vulnerable among us and our "failing" schools (quotes are mine because I think it's a gross oversimplification and a distortion of facts to say they're failing but that is sort of another topic.)
If he wanted to "speak out against abuse" and push for "reform" he would have approached it differently.
This is all part of a much bigger states' rights agenda that will do major damage to so many of us. It's so clear in all the plans that are being laid out.
Did you read his speech in it's entirety or are you just going by what the huffington post said? I just found the speech:
Speech
It's actually EXACTLY what I was talking about. It's worth the read and I think that it's hard to argue with any of his points. He's asking for reform. He's not asking to repeal the act.
Again, this is the media twisting things where it suits them. I don't think anyone should really comment until they read the whole speech.
Yes, I read it.
Respectfully, are you a teacher? Because there is nothing in here about restorative justice or any of the multitude of other supports that can be implemented to assist students who are difficult to "control" - a despicable phrasing - before we take a very one sided look at a law that has helped thousands of kids.
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| Posted 11/29/16 12:06 PM |
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beachgirl
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 7967 total posts
Name:
sara
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
From what I read he is not trying to repeal it but trying to make sense of a law where the law is on the side of the special needs kid and their parents no matter how the child behaves at school and no matter how much this child disrupts the class. I am not a special ed teacher or any type of teacher nor am I the parent of a special ed child BUT if I did have a special Ed child in a classroom with a child that was consistently disrupting the class and causing harm to the teacher and his or her classmates and the schools hands were tied because of a law then this would upset me. if they are not held accountable for their actions during their school years then what is going to happen to them when they leave school and have to deal with reality. Don't we teach our kids right from wrong? Why not allow a child with a disability to learn these life skills too?
Anyway maybe I am not reading it the way you guys are but tweaking this law which is what he seems to want to do might not be in the worst interest of the child.
Signed : Most definitely NOT a trump supporter
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| Posted 11/29/16 12:07 PM |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9511 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Posted by JennP
Posted by lululu
Posted by JennP
He is doing a lot more than "speaking out against abuse" though.
He is making dangerous and false connections between a law that has done wonders for some of the most vulnerable among us and our "failing" schools (quotes are mine because I think it's a gross oversimplification and a distortion of facts to say they're failing but that is sort of another topic.)
If he wanted to "speak out against abuse" and push for "reform" he would have approached it differently.
This is all part of a much bigger states' rights agenda that will do major damage to so many of us. It's so clear in all the plans that are being laid out.
Did you read his speech in it's entirety or are you just going by what the huffington post said? I just found the speech:
Speech
It's actually EXACTLY what I was talking about. It's worth the read and I think that it's hard to argue with any of his points. He's asking for reform. He's not asking to repeal the act.
Again, this is the media twisting things where it suits them. I don't think anyone should really comment until they read the whole speech.
Yes, I read it.
Respectfully, are you a teacher? Because there is nothing in here about restorative justice or any of the multitude of other supports that can be implemented to assist students who are difficult to "control" - a despicable phrasing - before we take a very one sided look at a law that has helped thousands of kids.
No I am not a teacher but many people in my family are, including my sister in law who is a special ed teacher and was facing the exact problem that he describes.
And respectfully, as a parent, if my child were in a classroom with a child that was VOILENT, which is the situation i described and there were little to no remedies to deal with this child, as was the case, I would go absolutely crazy. He is saying that there are loopholes in this law and they need to be closed because we have a dangerous situation on our hands. Just think if you had to put your child on the bus everyday to a place with a violent child. How would that make you feel?
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| Posted 11/29/16 12:12 PM |
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Posted by lululu
I am not that familiar with his whole speech or the motivations behind it however I would like to state this. My sister in law is a special ed teacher in a self contained classroom in NJ. She had a child in her class a few years ago that was violent and incredibly disruptive to the class. He did not belong in general ed, even in the self contained classroom. He belonged in a school that specialized in individuals with his disabilities. He needed to learn life skills, not social studies and science. But because the parents had the right to have him in the general ed school it impossible to have him removed. It was disruptive to all of the other students in the classroom and it was unfair to them. Almost all of her time was focused on keeping herself and the other children safe from this one child.
My sister in law is very sympathetic to children with disabilities. My other sister in law (her sister) has CP and my MIL had to fight her entire life to have my sister in law be in general ed. She had to fight to get handicap accessibility in the public schools and numerous other things so that my SIL got what she deserved. But that doesn't mean that there aren't cases like the child I described above that do not belong in general ed and them being there does a disservice to all the other children in that classroom.
My son is in a self-contained classroom, he is dyslexic, this is his second year in the class. He is very responsible and outgoing.
There is a child in his classroom who has a rage disorder, he has been in my son's class both years. And that child has every right to learn social studies and science just the same as every other child in the world. The teachers/paras/aides and even students were taught how to accommodate his behavior.
I can't condone life where people aren't given equal rights to an education. Eventually this child may need to go to a special school, you are correct, but he shouldn't be condemned to a life of just special schools.
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| Posted 11/29/16 12:40 PM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Posted by lululu
Posted by JennP
Posted by lululu
Posted by JennP
He is doing a lot more than "speaking out against abuse" though.
He is making dangerous and false connections between a law that has done wonders for some of the most vulnerable among us and our "failing" schools (quotes are mine because I think it's a gross oversimplification and a distortion of facts to say they're failing but that is sort of another topic.)
If he wanted to "speak out against abuse" and push for "reform" he would have approached it differently.
This is all part of a much bigger states' rights agenda that will do major damage to so many of us. It's so clear in all the plans that are being laid out.
Did you read his speech in it's entirety or are you just going by what the huffington post said? I just found the speech:
Speech
It's actually EXACTLY what I was talking about. It's worth the read and I think that it's hard to argue with any of his points. He's asking for reform. He's not asking to repeal the act.
Again, this is the media twisting things where it suits them. I don't think anyone should really comment until they read the whole speech.
Yes, I read it.
Respectfully, are you a teacher? Because there is nothing in here about restorative justice or any of the multitude of other supports that can be implemented to assist students who are difficult to "control" - a despicable phrasing - before we take a very one sided look at a law that has helped thousands of kids.
No I am not a teacher but many people in my family are, including my sister in law who is a special ed teacher and was facing the exact problem that he describes.
And respectfully, as a parent, if my child were in a classroom with a child that was VOILENT, which is the situation i described and there were little to no remedies to deal with this child, as was the case, I would go absolutely crazy. He is saying that there are loopholes in this law and they need to be closed because we have a dangerous situation on our hands. Just think if you had to put your child on the bus everyday to a place with a violent child. How would that make you feel?
Of course I'd be upset. No sane parent would sit idly by. But you don't make erratic and extreme suggestions and malign a whole law without looking at reasonable, easy to implement solutions that are being used in many places.
Information on the law and how much it does for millions of students a year:
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/schoolage/
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| Posted 11/29/16 12:41 PM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Posted by Straightarrow
Posted by lululu
I am not that familiar with his whole speech or the motivations behind it however I would like to state this. My sister in law is a special ed teacher in a self contained classroom in NJ. She had a child in her class a few years ago that was violent and incredibly disruptive to the class. He did not belong in general ed, even in the self contained classroom. He belonged in a school that specialized in individuals with his disabilities. He needed to learn life skills, not social studies and science. But because the parents had the right to have him in the general ed school it impossible to have him removed. It was disruptive to all of the other students in the classroom and it was unfair to them. Almost all of her time was focused on keeping herself and the other children safe from this one child.
My sister in law is very sympathetic to children with disabilities. My other sister in law (her sister) has CP and my MIL had to fight her entire life to have my sister in law be in general ed. She had to fight to get handicap accessibility in the public schools and numerous other things so that my SIL got what she deserved. But that doesn't mean that there aren't cases like the child I described above that do not belong in general ed and them being there does a disservice to all the other children in that classroom.
My son is in a self-contained classroom, he is dyslexic, this is his second year in the class. He is very responsible and outgoing.
There is a child in his classroom who has a rage disorder, he has been in my son's class both years. And that child has every right to learn social studies and science just the same as every other child in the world. The teachers/paras/aides and even students were taught how to accommodate his behavior.
I can't condone life where people aren't given equal rights to an education. Eventually this child may need to go to a special school, you are correct, but he shouldn't be condemned to a life of just special schools.
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| Posted 11/29/16 12:42 PM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Posted by Straightarrow
Posted by lululu
I am not that familiar with his whole speech or the motivations behind it however I would like to state this. My sister in law is a special ed teacher in a self contained classroom in NJ. She had a child in her class a few years ago that was violent and incredibly disruptive to the class. He did not belong in general ed, even in the self contained classroom. He belonged in a school that specialized in individuals with his disabilities. He needed to learn life skills, not social studies and science. But because the parents had the right to have him in the general ed school it impossible to have him removed. It was disruptive to all of the other students in the classroom and it was unfair to them. Almost all of her time was focused on keeping herself and the other children safe from this one child.
My sister in law is very sympathetic to children with disabilities. My other sister in law (her sister) has CP and my MIL had to fight her entire life to have my sister in law be in general ed. She had to fight to get handicap accessibility in the public schools and numerous other things so that my SIL got what she deserved. But that doesn't mean that there aren't cases like the child I described above that do not belong in general ed and them being there does a disservice to all the other children in that classroom.
My son is in a self-contained classroom, he is dyslexic, this is his second year in the class. He is very responsible and outgoing.
There is a child in his classroom who has a rage disorder, he has been in my son's class both years. And that child has every right to learn social studies and science just the same as every other child in the world. The teachers/paras/aides and even students were taught how to accommodate his behavior.
I can't condone life where people aren't given equal rights to an education. Eventually this child may need to go to a special school, you are correct, but he shouldn't be condemned to a life of just special schools.
The fact that not everyone feels this way is exactly why we need this law. To say that the student described above by lulu only needs to learn life skills is just wrong and again the reason for the law. A student with a behavioral disorder and not an intellectual delay should be learning the same curriculum as anyone else and the school should have been giving him as well as the teacher the proper supports to do that.
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| Posted 11/29/16 1:02 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
The IDEA law he is talking about does not mandate that kids with special needs HAVE to be in the same class as other kids. It also doesn't force kids to be placed in an inclusion class when they are disrupting everyone else.
I obviously can't comment on the individual cases that were talked about in his speech, but the law itself is not the issue. The district is in charge of how the law is implemented, and they have every availability to implement reasonable accommodations for kids with various handicaps, including keeping them isolated from the mainstream classrooms if needed.
I believe that just as the media puts a slant on things, politicians play sides and take things out of context, don't discuss the entire entity, and only play on the parts that they want to, to further their agenda.
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/lre.faqs.inclusion.htm
IDEA does not require that every student with a disability be placed in the regular classroom regardless of individual abilities and needs. This recognition that regular class placement may not be appropriate for every disabled student is reflected in the requirement that school districts make available a range of placement options, known as a continuum of alternative placements, to meet the unique educational needs of students with disabilities. This requirement for the continuum reinforces the importance of the individualized inquiry, not a "one size fits all" approach, in determining what placement is the LRE for each student with a disability. The options on this continuum must include the alternative placements listed in the definition of special education under 300.17 (instruction in regular classes, special classes, special schools, home instruction, and instruction in hospitals and institutions).
In the cases that Sessions mentioned, something should have been done to maintain the safety of everyone involved, and the betterment of all of the children, and still stay well within the rules of the law.
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| Posted 11/29/16 1:24 PM |
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Chai77
Brighter days ahead
Member since 4/07 7364 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Posted by lululu
Posted by JennP
Posted by lululu
I am not that familiar with his whole speech or the motivations behind it however I would like to state this. My sister in law is a special ed teacher in a self contained classroom in NJ. She had a child in her class a few years ago that was violent and incredibly disruptive to the class. He did not belong in general ed, even in the self contained classroom. He belonged in a school that specialized in individuals with his disabilities. He needed to learn life skills, not social studies and science. But because the parents had the right to have him in the general ed school it impossible to have him removed. It was disruptive to all of the other students in the classroom and it was unfair to them. Almost all of her time was focused on keeping herself and the other children safe from this one child.
My sister in law is very sympathetic to children with disabilities. My other sister in law (her sister) has CP and my MIL had to fight her entire life to have my sister in law be in general ed. She had to fight to get handicap accessibility in the public schools and numerous other things so that my SIL got what she deserved. But that doesn't mean that there aren't cases like the child I described above that do not belong in general ed and them being there does a disservice to all the other children in that classroom.
Any hardship caused by "disruptive" children is FAR outweighed by the benefits and protections this act provides for some of our most vulnerable students.
And I can assure you (general you) that this is FAR from the "single most irritating problem for teachers throughout America today."
I honestly don't know enough about the act and I didn't read his entire speech but I do know that like everything there is abuse and I don't think that we should crucify him for speaking out against that. Repealing the act is clearly way too far to address the problem he is referring to, but wanting reform so that people can't abuse it is not crazy to me.
I do agree - saying it is the single most irritating problem is very extreme and very unrealistic.
I am familiar with the law due to my work, and I can tell you what Sessions said is outrageous and ignorant. The law states the disabled child must be placed in the Least Restrictive Environment- basically in the most normal setting possible- where (s)he can learn AND other students can function as well. The child may require an aide or other assistance which the school should provide. Like the case of an child with a normal IQ who suffers from a motor dysfunction, ADHD, hearing or vision impairment, or a mental or behavioral disorder.
Of course there are times when things happen like your SIL experienced. They are typically resolved but can take some time. The case can go to a special hearing if the parents refuse the appropriate school placement recommendation. It can take years in some cases. Like if the school recommends BOCES and the parents refuse but the kid is disruptive in the regular class. The school has to prove that what the parents want isn't working.
Just bc there are some problems doesn't mean you throw out or scapegoat a good law. That is ridiculous. Just very ignorant and frankly unfair to our disabled children.
Message edited 11/29/2016 1:41:38 PM.
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| Posted 11/29/16 1:35 PM |
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Chai77
Brighter days ahead
Member since 4/07 7364 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Posted by beachgirl
From what I read he is not trying to repeal it but trying to make sense of a law where the law is on the side of the special needs kid and their parents no matter how the child behaves at school and no matter how much this child disrupts the class. I am not a special ed teacher or any type of teacher nor am I the parent of a special ed child BUT if I did have a special Ed child in a classroom with a child that was consistently disrupting the class and causing harm to the teacher and his or her classmates and the schools hands were tied because of a law then this would upset me. if they are not held accountable for their actions during their school years then what is going to happen to them when they leave school and have to deal with reality. Don't we teach our kids right from wrong? Why not allow a child with a disability to learn these life skills too?
Anyway maybe I am not reading it the way you guys are but tweaking this law which is what he seems to want to do might not be in the worst interest of the child.
Signed : Most definitely NOT a trump supporter
No offense, but you clearly do not understand this law, and neither does Sessions. That's not how it works. If a disabled child is harming the teacher and/or other students despite appropriate accommodations, the student will be moved to a more restrictive setting if the district and parents are doing their jobs. This is true 95% of the time in my experience.
And saying they need to learn these "life skills" suggests they are just rotten children who are choosing to act this way. If they are disabled, they can not help it.
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| Posted 11/29/16 2:24 PM |
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mnmsoinlove
Mommy to 2 sweet girls!
Member since 3/09 8585 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Posted by ElizaRags35
F*CK YOU TRUMP
so glad someone said it! As a mother with a child with a motor delay disorder I find this so offensive!!! Shame on them!
Message edited 11/29/2016 3:00:52 PM.
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| Posted 11/29/16 3:00 PM |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9511 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Posted by MrsT809
Posted by Straightarrow
Posted by lululu
I am not that familiar with his whole speech or the motivations behind it however I would like to state this. My sister in law is a special ed teacher in a self contained classroom in NJ. She had a child in her class a few years ago that was violent and incredibly disruptive to the class. He did not belong in general ed, even in the self contained classroom. He belonged in a school that specialized in individuals with his disabilities. He needed to learn life skills, not social studies and science. But because the parents had the right to have him in the general ed school it impossible to have him removed. It was disruptive to all of the other students in the classroom and it was unfair to them. Almost all of her time was focused on keeping herself and the other children safe from this one child.
My sister in law is very sympathetic to children with disabilities. My other sister in law (her sister) has CP and my MIL had to fight her entire life to have my sister in law be in general ed. She had to fight to get handicap accessibility in the public schools and numerous other things so that my SIL got what she deserved. But that doesn't mean that there aren't cases like the child I described above that do not belong in general ed and them being there does a disservice to all the other children in that classroom.
My son is in a self-contained classroom, he is dyslexic, this is his second year in the class. He is very responsible and outgoing.
There is a child in his classroom who has a rage disorder, he has been in my son's class both years. And that child has every right to learn social studies and science just the same as every other child in the world. The teachers/paras/aides and even students were taught how to accommodate his behavior.
I can't condone life where people aren't given equal rights to an education. Eventually this child may need to go to a special school, you are correct, but he shouldn't be condemned to a life of just special schools.
The fact that not everyone feels this way is exactly why we need this law. To say that the student described above by lulu only needs to learn life skills is just wrong and again the reason for the law. A student with a behavioral disorder and not an intellectual delay should be learning the same curriculum as anyone else and the school should have been giving him as well as the teacher the proper supports to do that.
I was saying this PARTICULAR student. Not all students with special needs. Of course that's not the case. But this was a severely disabled child who could not grasp simple concepts such as how to cut with scissors or hold a pencil. He could not feed himself or toilet himself on his own. In fact, my sister in law got into numerous arguments with the administration at her school over who was responsible to change his diaper. He was 8. Ultimately she was dismissed as she didn't have tenure and it probably had a lot to do with her push back on this one particular child. I am not talking about your typical disabled child and I don't believe he is referring to those children either.
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| Posted 11/29/16 3:16 PM |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9511 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Posted by Chai77
Posted by beachgirl
From what I read he is not trying to repeal it but trying to make sense of a law where the law is on the side of the special needs kid and their parents no matter how the child behaves at school and no matter how much this child disrupts the class. I am not a special ed teacher or any type of teacher nor am I the parent of a special ed child BUT if I did have a special Ed child in a classroom with a child that was consistently disrupting the class and causing harm to the teacher and his or her classmates and the schools hands were tied because of a law then this would upset me. if they are not held accountable for their actions during their school years then what is going to happen to them when they leave school and have to deal with reality. Don't we teach our kids right from wrong? Why not allow a child with a disability to learn these life skills too?
Anyway maybe I am not reading it the way you guys are but tweaking this law which is what he seems to want to do might not be in the worst interest of the child.
Signed : Most definitely NOT a trump supporter
No offense, but you clearly do not understand this law, and neither does Sessions. That's not how it works. If a disabled child is harming the teacher and/or other students despite appropriate accommodations, the student will be moved to a more restrictive setting if the district and parents are doing their jobs. This is true 95% of the time in my experience.
And saying they need to learn these "life skills" suggests they are just rotten children who are choosing to act this way. If they are disabled, they can not help it.
I should have made it absolutely clear - I was referring ONLY to the child I was describing. Not all children with disabilities before you all paint me into some kind of monster. This child was unable to feed himself or toilet himself at the age of 8. What this child needed was LIFE SKILLS. But because his parents had the right to keep him in general ed it was a huge disservice to everyone involved. Especially the child.
And Sessions had numerous examples of people using the Act as defense of a number of other issues. I think it might be you that does not understand what he is trying to address. He also points out that the schools are supposed to receive federal funding and they are only receiving a fraction of the funding they were promised. He's pointing out how the Act is not being followed the way it was supposed to be.
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| Posted 11/29/16 3:20 PM |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9511 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
Posted by Chai77
I am familiar with the law due to my work, and I can tell you what Sessions said is outrageous and ignorant. The law states the disabled child must be placed in the Least Restrictive Environment- basically in the most normal setting possible- where (s)he can learn AND other students can function as well. The child may require an aide or other assistance which the school should provide. Like the case of an child with a normal IQ who suffers from a motor dysfunction, ADHD, hearing or vision impairment, or a mental or behavioral disorder.
Of course there are times when things happen like your SIL experienced. They are typically resolved but can take some time. The case can go to a special hearing if the parents refuse the appropriate school placement recommendation. It can take years in some cases. Like if the school recommends BOCES and the parents refuse but the kid is disruptive in the regular class. The school has to prove that what the parents want isn't working.
Just bc there are some problems doesn't mean you throw out or scapegoat a good law. That is ridiculous. Just very ignorant and frankly unfair to our disabled children.
I did not take his speech to mean that he wanted to throw out or scapegoat a good law. So I guess that is just a matter of interpretation. In my opinion he was looking to reform the laws to avoid loopholes for people to use the law as an excuse for inappropriate behavior.
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| Posted 11/29/16 3:24 PM |
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Jeff Sessions Slammed A Law Protecting Schoolchildren With Disabilities
IDEA is the reason I was able to be mainstreamed in 1979. If it was not enacted I would have failed in classrooms with other intellectually disabled students. It would have never been expected that I go to college, etc.
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| Posted 11/29/16 6:58 PM |
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