I guess I am writing this post about them tonite because I have some concerns based on my experience and observations about what's called "Special Ed' here at Albuquerque Public Schools.
I am not trying to blame anyone in particular, and I'm sure the intentions are honorable, and yet since i have been right in the trenches with some really special needs kiddos, I have seen first hand what can happen within this beaurocratic system. what I mean is that it is definitely not a perfect system...
My first example, was witnessing teachers at the high school I where I worked, who were basically not doing any teaching with the kids all day long. They let them play video games all day just to keep them "happy". And, since it's ISP, and in a separate building, no one comes and checks up on the students to see what's going on in the classroom. It was very upsetting to me, and when I tried to bring it up with the administration, I was removed from the classroom and put into another one.
The next example was when I worked in the D-level kinder classroom...the teacher was awesome, but we kept getting very violent kids placed in the same classroom with the syndromed fragile ones. These violent kids were kicked out of all of their schools for "bad behaviors", but they were in General Ed. The teachers simply threw up their hands and wanted them out of their classrooms. So, they came into the Special Ed classrooms for lack of anywhere else to place them. It sometimes took an act of God to get them the help they really needed...
Now, with these super gifted autistic kids, they are supposed to be assessed properly to make sure they belong in this program. For the most part, this is done, however, if a student moves to Albuquerque from out of State, they'll just place them in the classrom because "there's room". Some of these kids have severe emotional problems and other major learning disabilities, so it's extremely frustrating for them and for us to keep them safe.
I think that overall, most Special Ed teachers are dedicated, amazing and awesome. I feel they could use more support and to have more say in who should qualify to be in their classrooms. If you see a Special Ed teacher...give them a hug...I'm sure they could use it...
Wow! I can kind of relate to what you are saying. I have a heart to work with kids who have mental disabilities. Even though it's difficult to make a connection and get through to these kids, they are capable of learning and functioning in our society. I believe educators need to show compassion, patience, and persistence to these special children. I believe it can really make a difference in their lives.
ReplyDeleteThere is such a range of behaviors associated with autism. My wife is an occupational therapist who also works for APS. In one classroom setting she was working with an autistic child who would exhibit extreme outbursts and would have to be restrained by a large male teaching aid. It seems to me that the kids shouldn't be lumped together, but somehow should be evaluated to create the right mix of kids. In a school system with unlimited resources and money this might be a viable approach. Somehow the kids need to be placed into an environment where they do learn.
ReplyDeleteSPED students are special. They teach us how to be happy, I feel. Yes sometimes kids are labeled and it sticks forever. Yes I also find if frustrating with teachers do nothing to replace problem behaviors. When students get placed in SPED for lack of proper placement sometimes it has to do with absentism, which is hard to exlpain. Basically, if you don't have any infomation on a student where should you put them? It's tough.
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