http://LDBlog.com/2009/08/18/miguel-might-show-us-whats-wrong/ News, commentary, and resources about Learning Disabilities Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:06:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://LDBlog.com/2009/08/18/miguel-might-show-us-whats-wrong/comment-page-1/#comment-47296 IEPs to the rescue at Teach Effectively! Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:05:03 +0000 http://LDBlog.com/?p=767#comment-47296 [...] Ms. Wright’s “Methodology in the IEP” from Wrightslaw and to “Miguel might show us what’s wrong” from LD Blog. Share and [...] [...] Ms. Wright’s “Methodology in the IEP” from Wrightslaw and to “Miguel might show us what’s wrong” from LD Blog. Share and [...]

]]> http://LDBlog.com/2009/08/18/miguel-might-show-us-whats-wrong/comment-page-1/#comment-47166 Gwyn Posey Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:01:36 +0000 http://LDBlog.com/?p=767#comment-47166 There are so many issues covered, I hardly know where to start. First of all a charter school for LD sounds like a good idea, however to most it will smack of the "old days" when special education students attended a seperate school. I can not imagine any district would propose that because of the stigma associated with a seperate school. As mentioned in the article, individualization should be facilitated in the classroom, or at least in the same school. In addition to academics, many experts include socialization in the benefits of inclusion. Do I believe the inclusion pendulum has swung too far? Yes; many of our students need small group instruction. Not necessarily a seperate school, but at least a seperate classroom. It is hard, if not impossible, to be teaching a special ed student phonics in the middle of a 5th grade classroom during a reading segment. A specialized phonics program may sometimes include kinestetic aspects, which can not be done in the middle of a whole group reading lesson. IDEA has components that seem to be in opposition with each other. On the one hand we have the call for individualized education, but on the other there is a mandate to keep the student in what is determined to be their LRE (least restrictive enviornment), which to most automatically means the general education classroom. It is unfortunate that many people can not see the forest for the trees when it comes to this issue. As for Mrs. Castellino, I would suggest she find and get in touch with a parent advocate. There should be one in her district. With an independent evaluation in hand, the parent advocate should be able to assist her. There are so many issues covered, I hardly know where to start. First of all a charter school for LD sounds like a good idea, however to most it will smack of the “old days” when special education students attended a seperate school. I can not imagine any district would propose that because of the stigma associated with a seperate school. As mentioned in the article, individualization should be facilitated in the classroom, or at least in the same school. In addition to academics, many experts include socialization in the benefits of inclusion.
Do I believe the inclusion pendulum has swung too far? Yes; many of our students need small group instruction. Not necessarily a seperate school, but at least a seperate classroom. It is hard, if not impossible, to be teaching a special ed student phonics in the middle of a 5th grade classroom during a reading segment. A specialized phonics program may sometimes include kinestetic aspects, which can not be done in the middle of a whole group reading lesson. IDEA has components that seem to be in opposition with each other. On the one hand we have the call for individualized education, but on the other there is a mandate to keep the student in what is determined to be their LRE (least restrictive enviornment), which to most automatically means the general education classroom. It is unfortunate that many people can not see the forest for the trees when it comes to this issue.
As for Mrs. Castellino, I would suggest she find and get in touch with a parent advocate. There should be one in her district. With an independent evaluation in hand, the parent advocate should be able to assist her.

]]> http://LDBlog.com/2009/08/18/miguel-might-show-us-whats-wrong/comment-page-1/#comment-47052 Mrs. Castellino Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:43:23 +0000 http://LDBlog.com/?p=767#comment-47052 As Miguel's mother I am outraged by the entire situation. At this point I wish I could afford the tuition for an appropriate placement and an attorney, but of course like most parents I can not. Miguel has been forgotten about and pushed to the side. I have heard all the excuses which are on audio tape mentioned above. As Miguel’s mother I am outraged by the entire situation. At this point I wish I could afford the tuition for an appropriate placement and an attorney, but of course like most parents I can not. Miguel has been forgotten about and pushed to the side. I have heard all the excuses which are on audio tape mentioned above.

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