Hi everybody,
It is getting close to the end of the first part of the school year. Our district is trying to decrease classification as mandated by the state. However, this is presenting a problems with our staff members. Since we are re-evaluating almost every student only one staff member along with a teacher is making the decision whether to keep students classified under their current classification status. However, my co-worker decided to keep a student classified by the testing data did not warrant the classification or placement. However, the teachers complained and the way the student functioned in the classroom setting academically assisted the co-worker in making this decision. This was not a good decision because the director of Special Education sent a memo to the superintendent and asssistant superintendent to state this worker did not follow the law. This was upsetting because we are suppose to advocate for the students but political issues often cloud those decisions. I try to talk to the co-worker about being careful when you make such decisions and make sure you follow the laws of special education. Oftentimes. instead of using data-driven information child study team members will use what someone say. We have to make sure we are following the laws and that we are not classifying students by going through the back door. Let me know if others are following the same decisions????
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I do hope that I misunderstood your blog - one person is making the decision whether or not a student continues in their current educational placement?
Our school is in the process of doing the exact opposite. We have adopted Response to Intervention (RTI) to help identify and support students. In this process, a team decision is made that affects the student’s intervention, testing, evaluation and placement into Special Education, Gifted, and ESOL. The team is made up of all teachers that provide instruction, a special education teacher, the school counselor, and the school psychologist. Occasionally, members of administration will sit in on the meetings.
The team periodically will review all of the information brought before them before making decision such as providing additional support through research based interventions, EIP (early intervention program) or making accommodation to the learning environment or even referring the student for further evaluation. I don’t feel that it should be the decision of one person.
Post a Comment