I
am a special educator who has worked in the field for more than 20 years.
I am having serious problems with my administration. I don’t know what
to do.
When
I returned to school this month, I found that the IEPs for several of
my students had been changed by the administration. Services like speech
therapy and P.T. were reduced or eliminated. Placements were changed.
Instead of mingling with other kids and being part of the student body,
several students were placed in self-contained classes. Most of these
students are labeled LD and have behavior problems. They can do well
in regular classrooms if they have support.
All
of these changes were made by the administration, without the parents’
knowledge or consent.
My
signature was “forged” on three IEPs. Other people’s signatures were
placed in IEPs when these individuals did not attend IEP meetings –
and when no IEP meeting was held.
Please
don’t suggest that I talk to my supervisor. She’s a big part of the
problem. She has never worked in the classroom and is not knowledgeable
about special education. Special educators have learned that we cannot
trust her. She promises to do one thing, then does the opposite. Since
she took over, many regular ed teachers refuse to follow the students’
IEPs – there are no consequences for this. Many experienced, dedicated
special ed teachers did not return this year – we lost nearly one-third
of our special ed teaching staff.
As
background, I have an adult child with learning disabilities. Before
I became an educator, I was her advocate.
I
guess my real question is this: “How can people who work in the system
do the right thing and advocate for our children -- without losing our
jobs?”
Your
Creative Solution
Do you have
a Creative Solution that may help this distressed teacher?
Send your
Creative Solution by email to: solutions@wrightslaw.com
In the
subject line of your email, write CREATIVE SOLUTIONS CONTEST #2
TIPS:
Before you send your Solution, please re-read and edit it. Use a Spell-check
program. Your Solution will be posted on the Wrightslaw site so it should
be clear and readable.
CAUTION:
Please do not send your Solution as an attachment to an email.
We have been hit by worms and viruses, so we do not open attachments
to emails. Please send your Solution in an email in text format.
DEADLINE:
The deadline for Creative Solutions Contest #2 is Monday, SEPTEMBER
4, 2000 at midnight, ET.
JUDGING
PROCESS: After we format the Creative Solutions in html and publish
them on the Wrightslaw site, we'll ask newsletter subscribers to vote
for your favorite Solution. We'll tally your votes and publish the results
of the Creative Solutions Contest on the site. Newsletter subscribers
will receive updates about the Contest, how to cast your vote, and an
announcement about the winning Solutions.
PRIZES
1st Prize:
The Wrightslaw Deluxe Combo Pak (includes Wrightslaw: Special
Education Law with Legal Companion CD-ROM and the Wrightslaw
Tactics and Strategy Manual (Value: $55.00)
2nd
Prize: Wrightslaw Combo Pak (includes Wrightslaw: Special
Education Law and the Wrightslaw Tactics and Strategy
Manual (Value: $45.00)
3rd
Prize: Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, Deluxe Edition with
Legal Companion CD-ROM (Value: $39.95)
NOTE:
Prizes are more than just our stuff. Last year's contest winners
also received positive recognition. Part of your "prize" is showing
others how to use the Internet to help others, creating a positive "ripple
effect."
First
Creative Solutions Contest
Learn more
about the Wrightslaw Creative
Solutions Contest, how the idea evolved, read other Creative Solutions,
learn how winners were selected and why.
Read the
"Story behind the Story" - and how John Willis and Becky Milton joined
forces to help "Georgia Mom" - in the October
21, 1999 issue of The Special Ed Advocate Newsletter.
