- So in this whole mess we have to find a way to make education work for everyone. We need to find effective solutions for these schools that have no money to deal with the rising problems that they are facing.
I can only speak from my expierience and my educationaexperiences for my self and my children. My kids school situation has been incredibly difficult until we got them the help that they needed. I am not saying that we are on a easy road but learning how to advocate for their needs helps tremendously. I wish each kid came with their own guide book but after years I do have more knowledge and understanding of what works and what doesn’t.
In the school of question all three of my kids went there. My boys went to this calm room and my daughter saw it but never had to go. My oldest went there several times 8 years ago and at the time I didn’t question the professional thinking they had more expierience with these unruly behaviors but questioning him now since this has come up he said he was scared and hit and kicked the door. My younger son said he just used his time to sleep and it didn’t bother him. Effective for one not so for the other. The law states that an adult must be in there. Now let’s have say an adjustment counselor in there helping them to resolve issues, give the child more tools to put into their tool box so when problems arise in the future as they inevitably will they can access this knowledge. This can’t be done by sticking a kid in solitary confinement ! Hello! These kids will grow up and be a part of our community! I think we need to treat them likely and and teach them how to be civilized good world citizens.
I read an article that the advocate put out about Holyoke schools and abuse against special needs students! This is our most fragile growing sector of our communities. Another recent case of abuse was exposed in Northampton school.
I understand how difficult it is to parent and teach kids with developmental issues. There are too many situations happening that need to be overhauled so we can get back to learning. One comment left said well what about these kids that are coming from abusive homes or poor nutrition or or or. They still deserve education and to feel safe. And because they may come from abusive poor homes does not mean we can let the schools get away with abusive behavior too. Corporal punishment went away for a reason.
What about an overhaul of the system thT is ineffective and not working? Stop teaching to test and teach for the love of learning! Let’s face it the teachers hate it and so don’t the kids! That could be the cause of rising problems in education! Trying to fit everyone in a box how about filling those boxes withe dirt and planting seeds and watching them grow?
Leverett schools took my youngest son who had gotten way out of control in Newton street schools and had a host of in resolved educational problems and helped. They were amazing! They got him a Nuero psych, a behavior consultation from a psychiatrist and put into place an I e p that helps him to this day! They taught me how to advocate for him what works well for him. He learns best in a small classroom.
Some parents have said that we don’t know how to parent we don’t beAt the kids… The list goes on. With all the rising environmental toxins and poor education that doesn’t fit our kids unlimited technology doesn’t help we do look to the professionals to do the right thing. I guess we are all at a loss if we don’t solve these problems as children grow and become independent adults without having the ability to solve problems. They are looking to self medicate to numb pain and creating more problems in our community.