http://gothamschools.org/2009/09/29/special-education-initiative-or-inertia/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:04:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://gothamschools.org/2009/09/29/special-education-initiative-or-inertia/comment-page-1/#comment-200228 Agatha Hamilton Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:11:47 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=24323#comment-200228 Good analysis, but in addition...as principals become empowered (always in quotations in my office), severely, or even moderately disabled students in mainstream schools are often short-changed or excluded due to the lack of independence of the School Assessment Teams. I receive calls each week from Psychologists and Social Workers out in the field who are being pressured by their principals to find a way to "get rid" of students who require paraprofessionals, lots of "related services"--OT, PT, Speech, or who are excessively absent. This is where "least restrictive environment" entirely breaks down. Principals don't want kids who need lots of service in their schools because they are a drain on budget and bring down test scores. Good analysis, but in addition…as principals become empowered (always in quotations in my office), severely, or even moderately disabled students in mainstream schools are often short-changed or excluded due to the lack of independence of the School Assessment Teams. I receive calls each week from Psychologists and Social Workers out in the field who are being pressured by their principals to find a way to “get rid” of students who require paraprofessionals, lots of “related services”–OT, PT, Speech, or who are excessively absent. This is where “least restrictive environment” entirely breaks down. Principals don’t want kids who need lots of service in their schools because they are a drain on budget and bring down test scores.

]]>