[Jay] Matthews receives a failing grade in this case for his inability to understand the needs of our children. .@washingtonpost
Mr.
Matthews is shamefully misguided in his praise. Congratulations should
be reserved for districts who do the right thing to assure students with
disabilities can benefit from their educational program and learn at
school, not those who employ a strategy which relies on tactics to
harass and intimidate families. The issue is not the money spent on
lawyers or placements, the issue is providing educational services for
all students; some who are the most impacted children in the county.
While Mr. Mathews article leaves the impression that the school system’s
tactics are justified because of expensive placements, private
placements are provided in a limited number of cases for those students
who have the highest level of need and those aggressive tactics are
utilized for the county in all types of cases, including those where the
student wants to remain in their neighborhood schools. Families and
school administrators may disagree about the appropriate services for a
student, there should be, however, no disagreement that parents should
be treated with respect and dignity when seeking school system services
made available to all students. Mr. Matthews receives a failing grade
in this case for his inability to understand the needs of our children.
The victims, the families of children with special needs, can't cure the crime; MCPS must change the caustic culture.
ReplyDeleteOnly the voters can change the culture. These Board of Ed members that direct this school system are voted in again and again. This is up to the voters.
ReplyDelete