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Hi Bryan, I recently heard you speak at the Bilingual ICT Conference at Gateway Schools and just read your blog post, and I am very impressed with your passion and ability to express yourself so well.  I have been a Bilingual Special Ed teacher in a K-2 (12:1:1) class for the past seven years.  My school is one of the “Phase 1″ schools that has been participating in the Special Ed reform, and I see that there is potential for a lot of positive changes for students.  However, there have already been issues regarding lack of funding for full time special ed teachers in an ICT class if there are only a few students with an IEP, which is a concern – if the second teacher is only there 3 periods a day, where’s the support for the rest of the day? We’re trying to be “flexible” and schedule service providers to push into the classroom during times that the second teacher is not there, but in my experience this has not been a reliable alternative for ensuring proper academic support.  Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapists are not trained in Special Ed, nor should they be expected to take the place of a teacher.

Anyway, I’m writing to ask your thoughts about ICT students who have significant emotional/behavioral issues and disrupt the class to such an extent that one of the teachers and/or an assistant principal ends up having to spend several hours with this student – preventing him from hitting others, running and yelling down the halls, etc.  I would like this student to participate in the general education class (ICT), but sometimes it is clear that the class is too much for him; he makes it difficult for himself and his classmates to learn.  What has your experience been with this type of situation and how was it handled?  What could you see happening to help this student, his teacher and peers?
Thanks, in advance, for your thoughts.

Hi Lisa,

Thank you for your comment. While inclusion is beneficial for many students, there are also students who need more supportive environments. I would reccomend speaking to the Special Education Instructional Specialist at your Children First Network for advice on this particular student, as they are better equipped to address this issue. If you have any other questions you can email ccse@schools.nyc.gov and they will forward me your email.

-Bryan