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Post by wvhsparent on Jun 15, 2009 20:43:45 GMT -5
I definitely can see that our lives are enriched with our relationships with SN kids, and I am proud of the fact that we treat them so well. Having said that, I don't agree that having more SN % than average is beneficial. All I'm saying is that it doesn't seem good for the overall health of the district if we have a way higher than average number. I don't know what the number is that puts us in what I would call a detrimental position...but hypothetically, if 50% of the student body were SN, wouldn't that potentially be a problem? I don't know the % either Asmo, But I am confident it is probably less than 10%. I would agree 50% would be bad. lorip - Do you know the % of SN kids in the Dist?
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Post by lorip on Jun 15, 2009 22:10:20 GMT -5
Approximately 12% of the district population has an IEP (Individual Education Plan) or approx. 3,500 students. This does not include however, those kids with a Section 504 plan (think IEP "lite") I would estimate that number to be closer to 4,000.
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Post by gatordog on Jun 16, 2009 10:39:21 GMT -5
Lorip...sounds like you have some great kids. I know some siblings of special needs children who are just remarkable human beings. There is a family in our area that has three children who play hockey (2 girls and 1 boy). One of the girls has Downs Syndrome, but played last year with her sister on the Pink Panthers' girls team. My son's team (with the girls' brother in goalie) played the Pink Panthers in a very competative game. Near the end of the game, the ref called a penalty and the goalie's sister (with special needs) got to take a penalty shot. The shot was drifting to the left of the net, but her goalie brother (all of 8) intentionally deflected the puck in the goal so his sister could score. All of the kids (on both teams) cheered and no one on my son's team had a problem giving up the goal. One of the simplist,and most selfless and beautiful things I have ever seen. That was a lesson I could never have taught my son on my own. sashimi, thank you for sharing this wonderful, terrific story! As you say....this was a simple act yet incredibly selfless and beautify. thank you for your great spirit and insight!
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Post by brant on Jun 16, 2009 11:56:03 GMT -5
Lorip...sounds like you have some great kids. I know some siblings of special needs children who are just remarkable human beings. There is a family in our area that has three children who play hockey (2 girls and 1 boy). One of the girls has Downs Syndrome, but played last year with her sister on the Pink Panthers' girls team. My son's team (with the girls' brother in goalie) played the Pink Panthers in a very competative game. Near the end of the game, the ref called a penalty and the goalie's sister (with special needs) got to take a penalty shot. The shot was drifting to the left of the net, but her goalie brother (all of 8) intentionally deflected the puck in the goal so his sister could score. All of the kids (on both teams) cheered and no one on my son's team had a problem giving up the goal. One of the simplist,and most selfless and beautiful things I have ever seen. That was a lesson I could never have taught my son on my own. I remember her. My son plays hockey and I remember the family. The girl tried very hard; more then the other kids. Everytime she touched the puck we were all cheering. She is an insperation.
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Post by wvhsparent on Jun 16, 2009 15:02:41 GMT -5
Approximately 12% of the district population has an IEP (Individual Education Plan) or approx. 3,500 students. This does not include however, those kids with a Section 504 plan (think IEP "lite") I would estimate that number to be closer to 4,000. But there are varying degrees of SN addressed by an IEP right?
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Post by title1parent on Jun 16, 2009 15:29:39 GMT -5
Approximately 12% of the district population has an IEP (Individual Education Plan) or approx. 3,500 students. This does not include however, those kids with a Section 504 plan (think IEP "lite") I would estimate that number to be closer to 4,000. But there are varying degrees of SN addressed by an IEP right? Yes there are varying degrees. There are some children who require aides and modifications to their work. There are other children that may need extended time on their homework. There are children that require placement in self contained or life skill classes. The range is wide. My son has a language deficit. His English teachers are aware of his need for additional help. He also gets extended times on tests, but as of late hasnt needed that. He is on what is called consult. So he meets with a case manager once a week to touch base and she contacts me to let me know how he is doing. He doesnt have a skills class, which is provided daily to some students for additional help with their work. 504 plans are different. They dont fall under an IEP, however, teachers are still required to follow whatever the requirements are for that student. Sometimes those include checking for understanding, checking that they are writing down their assignments, etc.
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Arwen
Master Member
Posts: 933
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Post by Arwen on Jun 16, 2009 15:31:40 GMT -5
Approximately 12% of the district population has an IEP (Individual Education Plan) or approx. 3,500 students. This does not include however, those kids with a Section 504 plan (think IEP "lite") I would estimate that number to be closer to 4,000. But there are varying degrees of SN addressed by an IEP right? Kids with a 504 usually need some kind of accomodation in order to thrive but are otherwise fine with the normal instruction that their peers receive. Examples - they may need special paper or to type their assignments due to a physical issue affecting their handwriting or they might need a mike/speaker set up in order to hear the teacher. Kids with an IEP need more interventions than a kid with a 504 and may require different instructional techniques and materials than their peers. They may have cognitive delays or sensory issues or more severe physical disabilities. As an example, if you think about the special education needs of a child with Downs Syndrome to a child who has autism, you'd see very different IEP's I'd guess. They both would require support and interventions, but the amount of intervention required in specific areas could be drastically different.
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Post by gatormom on Jun 16, 2009 15:50:36 GMT -5
A 504 plan usually is for someone who does not have a diagnosed/identified learning disorder but still has what is classified a disability, ADHD falls into that category. I think the biggest difference between a 504 and IEP is funding. I understand that 504s are not funded by state or federal funds where IEPs get additional funding.
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Post by popquizkid on Jun 16, 2009 15:54:40 GMT -5
It's heartwarming to hear the stories that parents of typically-developing children share in support of inclusion. It's that support and insight that has made inclusion a community priority as well as educational priority. It's my hope that the new superintendent understands and respects our priorities as a community - one who will mirror those values in the decisions he or she makes. I'd also like a superintendent who seeks out communication with stakeholders & can pronounce "ISATS" - but that's just me!
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