And then there is homeschooling by necessity...

Jen, I've both heard and heard OF teachers responding to doctor's "orders" with, "Well, that doctor isn't in MY class! He's not going to tell me how to run MY class!" Needless to say, these teachers run their classes like mini-dictatorships. And they never make any "My Favorite Teacher" list. And no, I do NOT think it's OK!

Often these involve bathrooming issues. For example, in a non-handicapped classroom, if a child has an illness that caused frequent urination, there are teachers who will not excuse the child even if they have a doctor's excuse. I know (unfortunately) that my husband would possibly less than accommodating about certain things, even with the doctor's orders. (But, in all fairness, he will also bend over backwards to help a student who is really putting forth effort and not getting it. He's just not willing to be patient with a kid who does nothing but goof off.)

 

I think you were speaking to Amie. lol

 

Thank you. I had an identity crisis for a moment. :lol:

 

That's my biggest issue here: I don't think any school or teacher has the authority to ignore a doctor's treatment plan. Which is exactly what this school is doing.

 

We had to fight with teachers to get dd to have a bottle of water and any needed bathroom breaks. We told her to request to use the restroom and if she was denied to *respectfully* rephrase her question into statement: I'm going to the bathroom now, Miss B. Then get up and calmly go to the restroom. We told her we would pick up the pieces as they fell.

Jackie, your comments brought to mind another big issue. Hormones kick in whether or not the child is mentally developed past 6 years old. What is the wisdom in this classroom placement? This could become a real danger for the young children and the 12 year old boy. I know that isn't the issue at hand, but this case has brought to light so many issues in our educational system.

 

Brooke, we had a similar issue two years ago. The school allows water bottles in all the classrooms. He had a teacher one year who allowed Tanner to drink as much water as he wanted (which is great) but then wouldn't allow him to go to the bathroom when he needed. Well...what do they expect??? I had to have a loooooooong talk with his teacher (only one I haven't liked in 4 years so far). The last straw came when she told him she was going to mark his name on the blackboard if he got up to use the bathroom when she didn't give permission....oh nooooooooooo you're not lady!!! Ugh...she was a pill!!!

 

Students are "guaranteed" a Free and APPROPRIATE Pubic Education (FAPE), but some people's idea of appropriate is soooooooo far out in left field! I remember a little girl who was born with a brain malformation, who was, as long as she lived (about 13), a floppy baby. She could laugh and cry and chew on her fingers and eat when you put it in her mouth. She had cortical blindness. She had no head control. She had no idea of cause/effect. She used to live in the district I worked in, but then the family moved to a neighboring district. The Special Ed director there insisted that Mickey Mouse sheets on her bed at school were "age-inappropriate" (yeah, tell that to the college girls who have Mickey Mouse sheets on their dorm beds), and insisted that when the other 12yos had computer time she had to be propped up in her high-tech wheelchair in front of a computer too! "Because the law demands it."

I think the 3yo suspended from preschool should be taught how to put on panties by herself, and then dressed in pull-ups. Then if she had an accident, she could change herself in the restroom. At school.

 

Carl's having fits with a middle school special ed kid that has threatened him. Carl sent him to the office, and he came right back with a note saying, "We can't suspend him; he's special ed." He got in a big fight in the cafeteria, and as punishment had to wash tables for two days. Any non-special kid would have been suspended, but the district's afraid that this would come back as not educating him.

I will say this. If there's a child that has a problem with violence and he were to hit MY kid, I would not only bring charges against the boy, but against the school, the board, and the principal for not providing a safe environment. I mean, fights happen. But if a kid has a record of violence and NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT, that's a different story!

 

We have Alternative Schools for just that purpose. Special Ed kids get suspended or expelled from the regular school for the same offenses that regular ed kids get suspended or expelled for, but instead of staying home, they go to the Alternative School. Stiffer rules/regs, even uniformed officers (security officers, not necessarily police) on duty. Some have anger management classes, or behavior modification groups, and all continue on their educational way. Most have computer rooms with some specific educational programs on them (definitely not edu-tainment!) aimed toward the GED. Some AS have programs on their campus that are not disciplinary but are aimed at giving options to kids who have gotten severely behind (retentions for one reason or another) but are not MMD, and by successfully completing these programs, the kids have a chance at a GED, or re-entering regular school at 9th grade level (regardless of age). Some have courses like culinary/catering or construction where the kids learn skills to enter the workforce.

 

We have that same type of thing in our district!

Jackie...wow, just wow. I would be livid as well!!!

 

The principals in our district live in fear of suspending too many. If that happens, it makes them look bad and they lose their job. Even those who really want to do well and make a difference CAN'T. Behavior is the number one issue in the schools where I'm at. And only the worse cases are dealt with. All others are sent back to the teacher with a slap on the hand.

 

I can't think of what it is officially called, but there are certain restrictions on punishment when the offense is connected to the disability or condition of the child. For instance, I had to go to bat for my ds when he was in ps. He kept getting referals for "talking" in class. He has Tourette's Syndrome and was not able to help his mumbling sounds, or he would compensate for his throat clearing by saying words instead. Anyway, he couldn't get in trouble for things related to TS.

Not saying I agree with it at all when the offense is violence, but are some of those kids labeled ODD? I can see the school having hands tied in situations that could be blamed on a condition. Kwim?

 

Then if a child is violent to where he is actually putting other children in danger, he needs to be placed somewhere where he is NOT a threat. The other children have rights, too. I understand Tourettes and that there are uncontrolled impulses. But I've also seen young people with Tourettes who use that as an excuse for their bad behavior. Just like a kid who is ADHD. That is still no excuse for bad behavior.

 

I agree totally about a violent child needing to be in a BD program or some alternative setting. I was just curious how many kids are now falling into catagories that are protected from disciplinary action based on limits imposed by laws prohibiting the discipline based on the offense's relationship to the condition they have.

 

this will be the last thing I'll say on this but I will say every person has a right and the laws are there to protect them. We don't have most control or say anymore. Everyone is to be treated equal and given every change in the world like everyone else.

Parents aren't as involved with there children now days. The teachers can't do much either. Laws say that stuff not me sorry.