I am a parent that graduated from East Bay High School, Hillsborough.
I am a parent who was a seventh in my class.
I am a parent who was in NHS.
I am a parent who was I'st chair trumpet player.
I am a parent who was I'st chair, undefeated, chess team.
I am a parent who was a member of the student council.
I am a parent who was the Drum Major.
I am a parent who lettered 3 years in baseball.
I am a parent who was a senior notable, voted "Most Likely To Succeed."
I am a parent who graduated from college.
I am a parent who is a recognized business owner of 33 plus years in my community.
I am a parent who is the president of a corporation.
I am a parent who was taught not to trust the local school system because of the countless numbers of lies they told me over a span of 20 years.
I am the parent of a disabled kid.
What else do you have?
Posted by: Bring It On | October 24, 2009 at 06:06 PM
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Put Me In A Room With Your Experts, and Let's Have At It
Florida & Tampa Bay schools blog - The Gradebook
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Point Is About ESE and the 6/7 Plan
Someone made a post that supports the point that ESE teachers need a lot of time. If you follow Goader's link: Repeal 6 Of 7 Instructional Schedule : Goader, it appears we are all on the same page.
Can we at least agree on the point that in order to carry out the needed duties within an ESE classroom, the teachers need a 5/7 day?
Now for my response to the post.
First of all, I will repeat what I have said before about the need to pay attention to the detail of words, especially when it comes to law. Law makers spend hours debating one word. If you ever go to court, you will understand the parsing of one word. I urge anyone who deals with ESE in any area to become as familiar as they can with the true wording of the law. Use an on-line source of the federal laws. Do not rely on your local education agency to explain the meaning and context of IDEA.
They are not INDIVIDUAL education plans. They are INDIVIDUALIZED education plans.
The commenter states they disagree with me. I ask, "about what?"
Don't I get points for what I said here:
Can we at least agree on the point that in order to carry out the needed duties within an ESE classroom, the teachers need a 5/7 day?
Pro--
As an ESE escapee--there are many of us who left GE to enter ESE because the idea held so much potential, then returned to GE disillusioned because everyone EXCEPT teachers in the classes working every day with every student made it impossible to achieve that potential for most of the students, I MUST disagree with your position due to the above. There are many teachers that stay who somehow find enough reward in the unbelievably difficult situation they find themselves to do so. Those teachers have seen caseloads rise, have lost an extra planning period to enable them to conference with other teachers--ESE and GE, parents and students in their classes and caseloads, plan and collect data and then write those INDIVIDUAL Education Plans, update records, plan with co teachers,observe and test ESE and potentialstudents, attend meetings to refresh them on the "new" standards/practices and whatever changes are occurring that year--and there are more every year--AND--they still teach the same number of periods GE teachers teach and have the same other "teacher" responsibilities. Pro-- you have ONE child--they have many children/students. You have the time for that ONE child--they have children of their own, yet take untold hours away from them trying to keep up with all the extras for those many. No matter if your child is out of the system--support those teachers--work on changing the system that failed your child and continues to fail those teachers and other parents' children.
Now for my response to the post.
First of all, I will repeat what I have said before about the need to pay attention to the detail of words, especially when it comes to law. Law makers spend hours debating one word. If you ever go to court, you will understand the parsing of one word. I urge anyone who deals with ESE in any area to become as familiar as they can with the true wording of the law. Use an on-line source of the federal laws. Do not rely on your local education agency to explain the meaning and context of IDEA.
They are not INDIVIDUAL education plans. They are INDIVIDUALIZED education plans.
The commenter states they disagree with me. I ask, "about what?"
Don't I get points for what I said here:
PRO on HCPS: 25 Or 6 to 7 - Or is it a life time? - TIME takes Time: "I, as a parent of a kid with a disability, can empathize with the number of hours that a teacher needs to meet the individual needs of the disabled kids. I, as a parent of a deaf/blind kid, only have to deal with one. And furthermore, I don't have a 1' thick federal publication that outlines all of the federal requirements that school systems are supposed to meet. Not that they do, mainly because in order to meet the law, it would cost too much time."
Deformed Link
Maybe I am the only one that reads the minutes of the HASA organization.
I have tried, through six different locations, to get the link to work for the September minutes to no avail.
Maybe they are taking a page out of the Obama administration and are controlling their information that gets out to the public.
Just askin'.
Archived Minutes
I have tried, through six different locations, to get the link to work for the September minutes to no avail.
Maybe they are taking a page out of the Obama administration and are controlling their information that gets out to the public.
Just askin'.
Archived Minutes
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Tampa's Hillsborough County Public Schools Makes The Drudge Report
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stimulus: $2.3 million for Tampa comsmetology, massage schools...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stimulus: $2.3 million for Tampa comsmetology, massage schools...
Is there any way to track these funds? Are they really going to take all of that money and put it towards the intended outcome?
Does this have anything to do with the number of massage parlors in Tampa?
Does this give a whole new meaning the phrase "cover up?"
Will they 'make up' a line item or will there be a 'massaging' of the budget report?
Gotta' trust!
Stimulus: $2.3 million for Tampa comsmetology, massage schools...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stimulus: $2.3 million for Tampa comsmetology, massage schools...
Is there any way to track these funds? Are they really going to take all of that money and put it towards the intended outcome?
Does this have anything to do with the number of massage parlors in Tampa?
Does this give a whole new meaning the phrase "cover up?"
Will they 'make up' a line item or will there be a 'massaging' of the budget report?
Gotta' trust!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
I Am Asking For A Lesson In Lesson Plans
Perhaps those who work within the teaching industry could help me out on this one.
How much time does a typical middle school or high school teacher need to develop a lesson plan?
Is there a sense of lessening demands over time, in other words, once you get the first one, be it day, week, month, or year, do the following time sets follow the template?
How much time does a typical middle school or high school teacher need to adjust, modify, or review and revise their lesson plans?
My last question for the day is, do the typical middle school or high school teachers write lesson plans for the class, or one for each student?
How much time does a typical middle school or high school teacher need to develop a lesson plan?
Is there a sense of lessening demands over time, in other words, once you get the first one, be it day, week, month, or year, do the following time sets follow the template?
How much time does a typical middle school or high school teacher need to adjust, modify, or review and revise their lesson plans?
My last question for the day is, do the typical middle school or high school teachers write lesson plans for the class, or one for each student?
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
25 Or 6 to 7 - Or is it a life time? - TIME takes Time
Chicago:
Raising a kid with a disability is a challenge that a majority of people do not have a clue about.
My middle son had CHARGE Syndrome before CHARGE syndrome was a syndrome. At the time I learned about it, it was called an "association", because 26 years ago few knew what it was, although it was there. Similar to the recent rise in the identification of Autism, CHARGE kids are more identifiable now.
For those who don't have a clue, it takes more time in the day to raise a disabled kid than a typical kid. The sad, bad fact is that there is probably more people who are in power and control positions that have typical kids than there are power and control people with kids with disabilities. For those few who know, it is my understanding that my local school superintendent has a child with a disability, and it is also my understanding that he went to a private school. Correct me if I am wrong.
I have little empathy for the public school system, because in my opinion "they" get what they deserve. The reason "they" get what they deserve is because of the way "they" run their business of education.
The airplane industry is facing the fact that airplanes are crashing because they are stretching the number of hours that pilots work.
The trucking industry faced this same problem years ago, stretching the numbers of hours that truckers drove.
The medical industry faces this same problem today, stretching the number of hours that doctors and nurses work.
There are laws on the books that are supposed to stop the abuse.
The leaders of the business of the industries appear to have a "laws on the books be damned" approach.
Unless they are called into court.
The fact is, the odds against being called into court are in their favor.
And, the leaders know it, because their legal advisers tell them.
I, as a parent of a kid with a disability, can empathize with the number of hours that a teacher needs to meet the individual needs of the disabled kids. I, as a parent of a deaf/blind kid, only have to deal with one. And furthermore, I don't have a 1" thick federal publication that outlines all of the federal requirements that school systems are supposed to meet. Not that they do, mainly because in order to meet the law, it would cost too much time.
Time is money.
A typical disabled kid gets to school at the same time as the typical students....(wait for it)... well, they are supposed to.
A typical disabled kid leaves school at the same time as the typical students......(wait for it)....well, they are supposed to.
OK, let's hear it from the real people in the trenches. How many kids with disabilities, which have their own bus, get to school late or leave school early? What? It's only 5...10...15....20..(?)minutes difference- - for their safety..of course.
A typical disabled kid needs more resources than a typical kid to meet the same results.
I will repeat that statement.
A typical disabled kid needs more resources than a typical kid to meet the same results.
I only have one disabled kid.
You can not imagine how I felt, as a parent, when an administrator told me that my kid was not the only one "they" had to deal with. I could not easily process this concept after hours, and I do mean hours after I learned the game, of being in an INDIVIDUALIZED education plan (IEP) meeting.
Pass this on to your power and control people, the ones that say they know what "reasonably designed" means.
My bet is ............ THEY DON'T HAVE A CLUE.
Now, let's talk behavior. After all, isn't the only real concern that "the system" is concerned about is behavior? Teachers, who get it, know how to address disabilities. But, when behavior becomes the focus, relatively very few understand the need to interpret behavior as communication and then develop a means of communication, and, more importantly, the social-emotional development that must occur.
How much time does it take to address changing a students behavior?
I will repeat the question.
How much time does it take to address changing a students behavior?
21 days..... if it is done correctly.
A second..... if you use a bullet.
How many disabled kids who are angry have the verbal ability to say: "Excuse me, dear sir or madam. I am a bit put out by the apparent transgression that just occurred, and I beg of you to hear my argument."
The sad, bad fact is that thought-processed kids do not speak the Queen's English - they express emotions through physical action (acting out their emotions?) - a language most people do not know how to interpret. How many of those do you know are around kids who "act out." Think about it.
Teaching special education kids takes more resources.
Time
Money
Time
Expertise.
Time.
Education.
Time.
Experience.
For those who have read, and understand, the legal requirements to meet the federal law of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and not relied on some 10 minute in-service for their watered down bastardization of what is the real law, it takes time to meet the law.
Parents can teach teachers alot, if there is time.
Teachers can meet the requirement of the law, if there is time.
MO 12's? That is just the start.
Deal with behavior.
Evaluations? That is just the start.
Deal with behavior.
Updating current present levels of performance? That is just the start.
Deal with behavior.
Regular ed teachers develop a weekly class plan for their class.
Deal with behavior.
Special ed teachers develop a weekly, individualized, class plan for each of their students.
Deal with behavior.
Time.
How much time in a day does a special ed teacher need to be a professional representative of their employer?
"Waiting for the break of day
Searching for something to say
Flashing lights against the sky
Giving up I close my eyes
Sitting cross-legged on the floor
25 or 6 to ----------7!
Raising a kid with a disability is a challenge that a majority of people do not have a clue about.
My middle son had CHARGE Syndrome before CHARGE syndrome was a syndrome. At the time I learned about it, it was called an "association", because 26 years ago few knew what it was, although it was there. Similar to the recent rise in the identification of Autism, CHARGE kids are more identifiable now.
For those who don't have a clue, it takes more time in the day to raise a disabled kid than a typical kid. The sad, bad fact is that there is probably more people who are in power and control positions that have typical kids than there are power and control people with kids with disabilities. For those few who know, it is my understanding that my local school superintendent has a child with a disability, and it is also my understanding that he went to a private school. Correct me if I am wrong.
I have little empathy for the public school system, because in my opinion "they" get what they deserve. The reason "they" get what they deserve is because of the way "they" run their business of education.
The airplane industry is facing the fact that airplanes are crashing because they are stretching the number of hours that pilots work.
The trucking industry faced this same problem years ago, stretching the numbers of hours that truckers drove.
The medical industry faces this same problem today, stretching the number of hours that doctors and nurses work.
There are laws on the books that are supposed to stop the abuse.
The leaders of the business of the industries appear to have a "laws on the books be damned" approach.
Unless they are called into court.
The fact is, the odds against being called into court are in their favor.
And, the leaders know it, because their legal advisers tell them.
I, as a parent of a kid with a disability, can empathize with the number of hours that a teacher needs to meet the individual needs of the disabled kids. I, as a parent of a deaf/blind kid, only have to deal with one. And furthermore, I don't have a 1" thick federal publication that outlines all of the federal requirements that school systems are supposed to meet. Not that they do, mainly because in order to meet the law, it would cost too much time.
Time is money.
A typical disabled kid gets to school at the same time as the typical students....(wait for it)... well, they are supposed to.
A typical disabled kid leaves school at the same time as the typical students......(wait for it)....well, they are supposed to.
OK, let's hear it from the real people in the trenches. How many kids with disabilities, which have their own bus, get to school late or leave school early? What? It's only 5...10...15....20..(?)minutes difference- - for their safety..of course.
A typical disabled kid needs more resources than a typical kid to meet the same results.
I will repeat that statement.
A typical disabled kid needs more resources than a typical kid to meet the same results.
I only have one disabled kid.
You can not imagine how I felt, as a parent, when an administrator told me that my kid was not the only one "they" had to deal with. I could not easily process this concept after hours, and I do mean hours after I learned the game, of being in an INDIVIDUALIZED education plan (IEP) meeting.
Pass this on to your power and control people, the ones that say they know what "reasonably designed" means.
My bet is ............ THEY DON'T HAVE A CLUE.
Now, let's talk behavior. After all, isn't the only real concern that "the system" is concerned about is behavior? Teachers, who get it, know how to address disabilities. But, when behavior becomes the focus, relatively very few understand the need to interpret behavior as communication and then develop a means of communication, and, more importantly, the social-emotional development that must occur.
How much time does it take to address changing a students behavior?
I will repeat the question.
How much time does it take to address changing a students behavior?
21 days..... if it is done correctly.
A second..... if you use a bullet.
How many disabled kids who are angry have the verbal ability to say: "Excuse me, dear sir or madam. I am a bit put out by the apparent transgression that just occurred, and I beg of you to hear my argument."
The sad, bad fact is that thought-processed kids do not speak the Queen's English - they express emotions through physical action (acting out their emotions?) - a language most people do not know how to interpret. How many of those do you know are around kids who "act out." Think about it.
Teaching special education kids takes more resources.
Time
Money
Time
Expertise.
Time.
Education.
Time.
Experience.
For those who have read, and understand, the legal requirements to meet the federal law of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and not relied on some 10 minute in-service for their watered down bastardization of what is the real law, it takes time to meet the law.
Parents can teach teachers alot, if there is time.
Teachers can meet the requirement of the law, if there is time.
MO 12's? That is just the start.
Deal with behavior.
Evaluations? That is just the start.
Deal with behavior.
Updating current present levels of performance? That is just the start.
Deal with behavior.
Regular ed teachers develop a weekly class plan for their class.
Deal with behavior.
Special ed teachers develop a weekly, individualized, class plan for each of their students.
Deal with behavior.
Time.
How much time in a day does a special ed teacher need to be a professional representative of their employer?
Friday, October 9, 2009
It's more than simply exercise of power and control
All school board members, along with any other person involved in the power and control of public school students, should read this:
Policing In Schools
Because that is what is first and foremost when it comes to education. Keeping law and order to keep all kids safe.
This law and order along with power and control has always fascinated me. My favorite scene is to see 10 or 15 SWAT team members, armed with enough fire power to take out forty or fifty people within seconds, aiming their weapons at a person that is threatening to commit suicide. The cops even have a name for this weird sense of power and control. They call it "suicide by cop."
I fully understand that a person who is in a state of mind to kill themselves is also a threat to others. What I am isolating is the point that our government agency, be it SWAT team or school person, sees it as their responsibility to be in control of everything. The next point is how they secure this power and control, lawful or not.
This subject came to me this way:
School Cop Beats Student With Special Ed Needs Caught on Tape
Policing In Schools
Because that is what is first and foremost when it comes to education. Keeping law and order to keep all kids safe.
This law and order along with power and control has always fascinated me. My favorite scene is to see 10 or 15 SWAT team members, armed with enough fire power to take out forty or fifty people within seconds, aiming their weapons at a person that is threatening to commit suicide. The cops even have a name for this weird sense of power and control. They call it "suicide by cop."
I fully understand that a person who is in a state of mind to kill themselves is also a threat to others. What I am isolating is the point that our government agency, be it SWAT team or school person, sees it as their responsibility to be in control of everything. The next point is how they secure this power and control, lawful or not.
This subject came to me this way:
School Cop Beats Student With Special Ed Needs Caught on Tape
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Who Knew? Board Members And Parents Degrade Administrators!
A little Kenny Rogers and Dottie West music to set the mood:
It appears that through the years, the Board has been mean to administrators, right along with the parents. It says so right here in section F, paragraph 3:
I get the idea that this HASA Board is missing a couple of things, one being thick skin and the other a basic understanding of the First amendment and how it is wielded in areas outside of a non-burning movie theatre.
I haven't kept count, but I think this is the third mention in the HASA minutes on how HASA can shut the public up. An added gem to these minutes is that apparently, they want to shut the Board up, too.
Administrators can pop toes in an isolated room with same-sex students and suspend disabled kids for telling the truth about their teacher having sex with another student, but we must all keep it quiet.
If my recollection is correct, the last Board Chair authored her own edict of censure, and brought in the Board police to enforce it. I think I have written before that what should be the most alarming to all is the ignorance that abounds. What may seem to some as a sand lot stuggle for power is so embedded in a pitiful ignorance of a more worldly view. It is not even laughable.
Perhaps the HASA board would benefit by an in-service about the first amendment so they can quit hounding Mr. Gonzalez. How many times do they have be told that they just can't shut the public up?
What would be interesting to find out is what is the comprehension rate HASA has on the context of the speakers who include those mean spirited and "slanderous statements." Another interesting study would be to ascertain the amount of effort that is put into defending a guilty administrator simply because the Board or the public were saying mean things. We only need to look as far as our Federal government to see how they protect their own in face of overwhelming wrong doing.
What roots my split hairs is how HASA has the audacity to suggest that the Board not incite the public speakers any further by asking questions. The public should be upset about this like a scarecrow is that had a bale of hay knocked out of him. Why doesn't HASA ask the public do not ask the Board any more questions, so the Board doesn't have more opportunities to be mean to the defenseless HASA members?
"I can't remember when you weren't there
When I didn't care for anyone but you
I swear we've been through everything there is
Can't imagine anything we've missed
Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do"
It appears that through the years, the Board has been mean to administrators, right along with the parents. It says so right here in section F, paragraph 3:
"Dr. Miliziano told the group that throughout the years, HASA administrators have sometimes felt they were not treated well by parents and/or the School Board members when they were brought before them for expulsions, grievances, etc. Tom Gonzalez, John Miliziano, Buddy Raburn and School Board members met and Carol Kurdell agreed to inservice the School Board members on grievance procedures and previous policies governing these types of meetings. Mr. Gonzalez would not agree, however, to limiting parents from being slanderous during their three minutes. It was agreed that
School Board members should thank speakers and not ask additional questions, opening the door to further degradation. It was also suggested that a Level III hearing not be held behind closed doors but be held in front of the School Board to
limit unnecessary and/or slanderous discussion. Mrs. Tuggle suggested that if opportunities present, thank School Board members for listening to HASA’s concerns regarding these issues."
I get the idea that this HASA Board is missing a couple of things, one being thick skin and the other a basic understanding of the First amendment and how it is wielded in areas outside of a non-burning movie theatre.
I haven't kept count, but I think this is the third mention in the HASA minutes on how HASA can shut the public up. An added gem to these minutes is that apparently, they want to shut the Board up, too.
Administrators can pop toes in an isolated room with same-sex students and suspend disabled kids for telling the truth about their teacher having sex with another student, but we must all keep it quiet.
If my recollection is correct, the last Board Chair authored her own edict of censure, and brought in the Board police to enforce it. I think I have written before that what should be the most alarming to all is the ignorance that abounds. What may seem to some as a sand lot stuggle for power is so embedded in a pitiful ignorance of a more worldly view. It is not even laughable.
Perhaps the HASA board would benefit by an in-service about the first amendment so they can quit hounding Mr. Gonzalez. How many times do they have be told that they just can't shut the public up?
What would be interesting to find out is what is the comprehension rate HASA has on the context of the speakers who include those mean spirited and "slanderous statements." Another interesting study would be to ascertain the amount of effort that is put into defending a guilty administrator simply because the Board or the public were saying mean things. We only need to look as far as our Federal government to see how they protect their own in face of overwhelming wrong doing.
What roots my split hairs is how HASA has the audacity to suggest that the Board not incite the public speakers any further by asking questions. The public should be upset about this like a scarecrow is that had a bale of hay knocked out of him. Why doesn't HASA ask the public do not ask the Board any more questions, so the Board doesn't have more opportunities to be mean to the defenseless HASA members?
Friday, October 2, 2009
We Need More SUVs Quick Before We Freeze
Our children need to be taught that when you take away SUV's, we will freeze to death. In 10 years.
Morning temp sets new record | thetimesherald.com | The Times Herald: "The Port Huron waste water treatment plant recorded a temperature of 32 degrees at 8 a.m., one degree colder than the record low set Oct. 1, 1935, according to information from the National Weather Service in Oakland County’s White Lake Township"
Central Florida Enjoys Break From Heat - Orlando Weather News Story - WESH Orlando: "In fact, Daytona Beach International Airport reported a record-tying low of 58 degrees at 3:33 a.m. That tied the previous record set back in 2001, when we had another cool start to October.
Orlando officially dropped to 62 degrees, which is just one degree shy of the record, and Melbourne bottomed out at 65 degrees under some of those heat-trapping high clouds."
Quick cold snap fills up homeless shelters | [an error occurred while processing this directive]: "Boise & Garden City news & weather
Pets Jobs Cars Homes RVs Stuff MORE
List your item for sale
Quick cold snap fills up homeless shelters
10:55 AM MDT on Thursday, October 1, 2009
Nishi Gupta
Idaho's NewsChannel 7
No one will be turned away BOISE - With a quick flip from summer-like weather to freezing cold temperatures, homeless shelters we talked to have never been busier"
Morning temp sets new record | thetimesherald.com | The Times Herald: "The Port Huron waste water treatment plant recorded a temperature of 32 degrees at 8 a.m., one degree colder than the record low set Oct. 1, 1935, according to information from the National Weather Service in Oakland County’s White Lake Township"
Central Florida Enjoys Break From Heat - Orlando Weather News Story - WESH Orlando: "In fact, Daytona Beach International Airport reported a record-tying low of 58 degrees at 3:33 a.m. That tied the previous record set back in 2001, when we had another cool start to October.
Orlando officially dropped to 62 degrees, which is just one degree shy of the record, and Melbourne bottomed out at 65 degrees under some of those heat-trapping high clouds."
Quick cold snap fills up homeless shelters | [an error occurred while processing this directive]: "Boise & Garden City news & weather
Pets Jobs Cars Homes RVs Stuff MORE
List your item for sale
Quick cold snap fills up homeless shelters
10:55 AM MDT on Thursday, October 1, 2009
Nishi Gupta
Idaho's NewsChannel 7
No one will be turned away BOISE - With a quick flip from summer-like weather to freezing cold temperatures, homeless shelters we talked to have never been busier"
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