A group of parents in Manteca (CA; US) whose children have Learning Disabilities is expressing concerns about their children not receiving diplomas because of scores on graduation competency tests, according to a story in the Manteca Bulletin. Some of the parents of these students believe the schools, not the students, have failed.
The debate over court rulings and appeals on whether the senior exit exam will determine whether high school seniors receive their diplomas has left 60 Manteca Unified School District students with a certificate of completion instead of their diplomas.
Some of those students are learning disabled whose parents say have fallen through the cracks of the education system.
“They are trying to hold children and parents accountable for the school’s failure,” said Stacy Ingraffia whose 13-year-old son, Vinny, suffers from dyslexia.
There are other intriguing aspects of this story, too. One has to do with the types of services available and another has to do with the local education agency’s child-find efforts. I hope to follow up on these and determine whether they are actual problems or my misunderstanding of the reporting in the story.
Link to the story.
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Hi John! This story was a bit of a mess, in that it did not discuss IDEA but did discuss 504 as “a contract between the school and the student”. I emailed the parents mentioned in the story — no response yet.
One problem not mentioned in the story is the explosive population growth in the Manteca area. Another not mentioned is the huge problem of transient students.
Dear Liz,
I have emailed you and I did ask if you would contact me.
We will be in touch again I hope soon. By the way I was told by school admin.
that the 504 was a legal binding contract with me also. Edna is a minor and I am her
parent. Also, I hope you do not want to show this ironicly, as a population,transient or trunancy problem what a disgrace to all these caring parents. We are very responsible, and I sincerely hope you have an understanding of that.
There is a huge problem no matter where, with the 504s I will testify to that and alsoto the IEP one size fits all that is leaving hundreds if not thousands left behind. The testing currently done is not enough. We need specific assessments, this is a disability and provisions must be made. I will speak with you further as time allows, this issue is very close to my heart please do not underestimate, the power in numbers of parents that care will have.This is only the start not the end.
Karen, thanks for commenting on the story and Liz’s note. Your reference to “the IEP one size fits all that is leaving hundreds if not thousands left behind” is distressing. You are right to be concerned about it if the school is not providing IEPs that address each students’ unique educational needs. The Bateman and Linden book, “Better IEPs” (4th edition) probably would be very helpful here.
Also, it’s important that you parents stand up for your children. Ever since a small group of parents started asking questions about the needs of their children in the 1960s–they formed ACLD which is now Learning Disabilities Association (International)–many people have learned not to underestimate the authority of a group of parents.
Hi John, here’s the link to my take on the story. I’m glad I put the whole thing up, as the Manteca paper has a not-so-robust archive.
Liz my comment is on this with all these bloggs and all the groups, why is this matter still unchanged, doesn’t look like whats out there has worked. Time for a change. I was so displease with your tactics today that I feel lack much integrity. It really looks like even your facts are not straight. 504’s are a legal binding agreement with Administrators and Parents. Children do compy and an active part. You want to shoot the paper who showed integrity by printing our story and go after them for printing a editoral, why don’t you believe in free speech, I do. So go ahead and go after them. Hurt the children they are helping bring public awareness through i will assemble thousands of parents, to help them anyway. You focus on ridiculas things like transients and population growth. I will focus on inadecate testing in the IEP’s and the discrimination these children are suffing. We are have to much to loose to get side tracted by your silliness. By the way if you all are doing so great. Please outside of this media. What have you accomplished by law for these children or are you just riding on Media? Its not enought to report on it do something lets change it.
karenamorewso5@yahoo.com If anyone needs a change lets band together and get something done this has been a waste of my time. NO MORE
I didnt find thing that i need…
yahoo