Where does the buck stop?

It's one thing to have knowledge about an issue that requires change, and quite another to carry it out. I might call it procrastination, others may say it's dodging an issue, or not accepting responsibility. I really admire a person who can say, the "buck stops here". After school yesterday, the Vice Principal at Jacks school called me. I appreciate her following up with our meeting on Friday, and I hope that my concerns, observations, and requests will produce positive changes at Jack's school. She wanted to tell me that she forwarded my letter to the Director of Special Education for our school district. I was a little disappointed, because I had hoped she would be able to make the changes needed at her level. In our school district they have what's called Site Based Management. That's fancy wording for, "we get to decide how we run our own school". So for my comments to be forwarded up the chain of command, means that for some reason the V.P. feels like it is out of her hands. Don't get me wrong, I think this V.P. has the ability to get more things changed for good in the realm of special education than the previous person in her position. I also think that she agrees with me that things could be better. I am increasingly aware of one fact, they think it's all about money, and that may very well be part of it, but that's not all of it. I think the other part of this problem is a lack of educational resources, training, and knowledge of teaching tools and methods that work in the classroom. Especially their reluctance to use Applied Behavior Analysis and Discrete Trial Training in their teaching bag of tricks. I'm also wondering when was the last time anyone from our school district wandered out side the walls of our little town, to explore the great unknown territories of other special education departments that are doing great things for their students. We don't need to reinvent the wheel here, we just need to come on out of the dark ages and join the rank and file of those who are doing wonderful things with kids who have special needs.

A fly on the wall

You know it's bad when the Vice Principal agrees with you...Yes, I went to the office Friday. I actually made an appointment. I hadn't intended for it to be a long conference, I just wanted to touch base with the V.P and let her know I had some concerns. As an after thought, I sat down at the computer the morning before the conference, and quickly jotted down a few of my concerns. Two pages later, I decided I'd better stop, for practical purposes, because we'd never be able to cover all my observations and concerns in just one meeting.

School has been underway for about 4 weeks and I have been lurking the halls and sitting in the classrooms, shocked at what I have witnessed. One problem with having a child with special needs, is the inability to quiz him about his day. So I have to be a presence in the classroom to find out what is happening in his day. And I will continue to do this until I feel things are running smoothly. Not all parents have that luxury, and I am thankful that I am able to do this.

One thing about being in the classroom often, is that after awhile, the teachers and aides forget that I'm not one of them...they forget that I'm there, I become a fly on the wall, and I get to see what life is like for these kids when no one is watching.

Including Jack

I'm starting a blog for Jack, my child with special needs. He has Down Syndrome and Autism and is a blessing to our family. Jack started Junior High last year and it has been a tough transition. This year has started off particularly rough, so I've decided to blog about his life, and his experience, through my eyes as we navigate the maze of Special Education. Join me on our journey and keep us in your prayers.