jenniferblu
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? California
My son, diagnosed with several emotional disorders, entered the County Special ED program last year as a first grader. His teacher had a lifetime elementary credential and special credential to teach special ed, specifically, those who are 'emotionaly disturbed'.
My son responded fabulously to the program and ended the year last year with the teacher saying she expected he could fully mainstream by third grade. She also mentioned that the program had grown and they were expanding by starting a new classroom across town with a new teacher. I wrote a written request asking my son to remain in the class he had come to love and have such great success.
A couple weeks before this year I was notified that he was moved to the new classroom, a new teacher, new environment and even a new county therapist. This a child diagnosed with PTSD for one, who has by all accounts, a VERY hard time adjusting to change. (His dad and I divorced when he was 2, our house burned to the ground when he was 3, we moved twice since.
This new class is a nightmare. It is highly unstructured, inconsistent and has two particularly verbally abusive children in it. Within the first two weeks of school my son was suspended for hitting his teacher! He hadn't hit anyone for over a year. The police had been to the classroom to 'take away' other children on SEVERAL occassions and my son now hates school.
I have been in the classroom and see complete chaos. The teacher does not have control of the room, nor do the two aides (one of whom told me she did not WANT to work in an ED class). My son recieves very little, if any, instruction and says they watch a movie - a whole movie- every day!
The school is unsupportive. The children in this class have to eat lunch at their desks, not with the rest of the school in the cafeteria. They have to take breaks when no other children are outside, and have only once been able to use the playground. The principal at one point told a therapist - in front of a child - that "room 12 children are not allowed to use our equipment"!
Every time I am in the classroom the teacher tells me all about his accomplishments, how he is published, has taught ED students for 10 years and even has a daugher with ADHD. He has also told me that if he keeps getting blamed for the failure of this classroom (there have been several complaints) that he has a business on the side, and he is writing another book and "doesn't need this job". NOT what a concerned parent wants to hear.
I have done some research and found he only has a single subject credential - in social science, and a special ed credential - to teach specific learning disabilities!
These children have emotional issues and are impulsive and sometimes physically agressive, not children who are dyslexic!
I've also found his "published" book. It is only available from his website and is SELF PUBLISHED! He has a BA in Economics and a MA in education administration.
The class has 'lost' three children who've been placed in more restrictive day classes and expelled. These children are suffering!
I've gone to his boss, and his boss' boss - the Director of Special Ed for the County office of education, to no avail. What are my son's rights?
What can I do!
My son, diagnosed with several emotional disorders, entered the County Special ED program last year as a first grader. His teacher had a lifetime elementary credential and special credential to teach special ed, specifically, those who are 'emotionaly disturbed'.
My son responded fabulously to the program and ended the year last year with the teacher saying she expected he could fully mainstream by third grade. She also mentioned that the program had grown and they were expanding by starting a new classroom across town with a new teacher. I wrote a written request asking my son to remain in the class he had come to love and have such great success.
A couple weeks before this year I was notified that he was moved to the new classroom, a new teacher, new environment and even a new county therapist. This a child diagnosed with PTSD for one, who has by all accounts, a VERY hard time adjusting to change. (His dad and I divorced when he was 2, our house burned to the ground when he was 3, we moved twice since.
This new class is a nightmare. It is highly unstructured, inconsistent and has two particularly verbally abusive children in it. Within the first two weeks of school my son was suspended for hitting his teacher! He hadn't hit anyone for over a year. The police had been to the classroom to 'take away' other children on SEVERAL occassions and my son now hates school.
I have been in the classroom and see complete chaos. The teacher does not have control of the room, nor do the two aides (one of whom told me she did not WANT to work in an ED class). My son recieves very little, if any, instruction and says they watch a movie - a whole movie- every day!
The school is unsupportive. The children in this class have to eat lunch at their desks, not with the rest of the school in the cafeteria. They have to take breaks when no other children are outside, and have only once been able to use the playground. The principal at one point told a therapist - in front of a child - that "room 12 children are not allowed to use our equipment"!
Every time I am in the classroom the teacher tells me all about his accomplishments, how he is published, has taught ED students for 10 years and even has a daugher with ADHD. He has also told me that if he keeps getting blamed for the failure of this classroom (there have been several complaints) that he has a business on the side, and he is writing another book and "doesn't need this job". NOT what a concerned parent wants to hear.
I have done some research and found he only has a single subject credential - in social science, and a special ed credential - to teach specific learning disabilities!
These children have emotional issues and are impulsive and sometimes physically agressive, not children who are dyslexic!
I've also found his "published" book. It is only available from his website and is SELF PUBLISHED! He has a BA in Economics and a MA in education administration.
The class has 'lost' three children who've been placed in more restrictive day classes and expelled. These children are suffering!
I've gone to his boss, and his boss' boss - the Director of Special Ed for the County office of education, to no avail. What are my son's rights?
What can I do!