Question For The Teachers

Sorry to crash your board but I was hoping for some insight regarding a situation in my daughter's sixth grade class.

For some background, there is a child on her team that we have known for years (is a relative of a relative) and lives in my development. This girl has always done well academically but something is off socially. Her problems with teachers goes back to nursery school and her mother has taken the position that her daughter is bored academically. My udnerstanding is that at different points the district has tried to have her evaluated but the mother has always blocked the evaluation.

Fast forward to this year (sixth grade), this child is on my daughter's team. From the first week of school she has been a discipline problem (disruptive behavior causing her to be removed from the room). By the end of October, she had a teacher sitting with her (who is not an aide but an actual special ed teacher). I assume this was done pursuant to an IEP . This teacher was introduced to the class as this girl's "teacher" and the students were made to understand that she is there solely for that child.

At various intervals the behavior seemed to get better but on the whole has remained disruptive. However, last week, it escalated. She began singing during class and it took both her teacher and the classroom teacher to remove her from the room (according to the kids she was flailing and kicking). Anyway she was not back for the remainder of the week. We assume she was suspended.

Now here's my dilemma, a lot of the parent's are upset and feel the behavior is just too disruptive. Last week the classroom teacher left and a substitute was brought in who told the kids to read their science book. I have yet to go to the school because of the semi personal relationship I have with the family. However, I guess my question is two fold: what do you think is going on here??? And what can we realistically expect the district to do about it??? (if it matters this is a fairly affluent western suffolk county district).

Sorry this is so long and thanks for any insight you may be able to provide.

Message edited 3/2/2009 8:47:54 PM.

Re: Question For The Teachers

Now, I can't make a diagnosis since I'm not a doctor, and since I don't personally know the child, but it sounds like the child may be on the Autism Spectrum.

Having a teacher with her is about the highest level to expect from the school for now, unless the child's IEP is changed to show that the classroom is not the least restrictive environment for the child. But that is something the school and the girl's parents would need to decide together.

Re: Question For The Teachers

See, this really gets me upset. I am a general ed teacher but have taught a collaborative class with a special ed teacher for five years. Time and time again children who have these kinds of disabilities are placed in an inclusion classroom because it is the least restrictive environment for them. In my opinion, we never consider the kids in the general ed population. We are constantly worried about the special ed kids. Well, I can tell you, that I have seen kids who are inappropriately placed have a detrimental effect on the other students in the class and the class as a whole. These kids are put into these situations because the parents demand it and the school can't refuse. I'm sorry, but I feel that the parents of the general ed students need to speak up when it impacts the education that their child is getting....which it seems like it is in this case. The parents of the special ed kids fight hard for them, there is no reason that other parents shouldn't as well. JMO. Good luck with your decision.

Re: Question For The Teachers

Re: Question For The Teachers

ITA
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Posted by Renee

See, this really gets me upset. I am a general Ed teacher but have taught a collaborative class with a special Ed teacher for five years. Time and time again children who have these kinds of disabilities are placed in an inclusion classroom because it is the least restrictive environment for them. In my opinion, we never consider the kids in the general Ed population. We are constantly worried about the special Ed kids. Well, I can tell you, that I have seen kids who are inappropriately placed have a detrimental effect on the other students in the class and the class as a whole. These kids are put into these situations because the parents demand it and the school can't refuse. I'm sorry, but I feel that the parents of the general ed students need to speak up when it impacts the education that their child is getting....which it seems like it is in this case. The parents of the special ed kids fight hard for them, there is no reason that other parents shouldn't as well. JMO. Good luck with your decision.
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Message edited 3/3/2009 10:57:19 PM.

Re: Question For The Teachers

why dont you call in and ask to speak to someone and ask for it to remain confidential (which Im sure it would anyway), or for your info to be kept anonymous (if it IS used to voice a parents perspective- does that make sense?)

If she is denying evaluations, she is doing harm to her daughter and the class/ classroom dynmaic as a whole.
What a shame that they are blocking evals.

either way, I think you are entitled to speak up.
Have you had any contact with this girl's mom? How is she taking it, what is she doing to make things better ?

Re: Question For The Teachers

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Message edited 3/4/2010 9:31:56 PM.

Re: Question For The Teachers