tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post6234242533026325129..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Capacity Planning and Management Work SessionMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71798256780837192902008-10-08T10:16:00.000-07:002008-10-08T10:16:00.000-07:00Twinmom2003, I was in much the same boat as you so...Twinmom2003, I was in much the same boat as you some years back -- twins going into kindergarten, a one-year-old at home. I tell people that part of the reason I wanted the twins in the same class for kindergarten is that I was so sleep-deprived, I doubted my ability to remember two different teachers' names :-) I didn't really volunteer for a while, either. It does get easier.<BR/><BR/>Helen Schinskehschinskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10316478950862562594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7604536567802634232008-10-07T20:33:00.000-07:002008-10-07T20:33:00.000-07:00Thank you Melissa and Charlie. I really do so muc...Thank you Melissa and Charlie. I really do so much appreciate your insight and willingness to devine the often unknowable intent of SPS. I have been reading the blog for several months now just to try and figure out what is going on -- there does not seem to be an answer housed on the SPS website, or available from an SPS employee.<BR/><BR/>In addition to the twins that will soon start Kindergarten, there is also a two year old brother in the house -- so seems like a long slog ahead. I was one of those 80-85% of people who raised my hand at the Roosevelt meeting.<BR/><BR/>This is my first experience with a "big city" district. Coming from a rural area, the schools are part of the community. Where a parents participation is courted, and welcomed. And, ultimately the source for the direction of the district. <BR/><BR/>I really am not sure if I'm up for it. I'm already pretty tired out just from the normal day to day. The "outrage" that Charlie mentions, would for me, be even more of an energy drain vs. an energizer. <BR/><BR/>I do want to be involved with my childs education -- both with them personally and as an active participant at their school. It just seems like as a parent within the SPS boundaries you need to have an owl like swivel on your focus -- be involved with your children and school, and also be vigilant against any "odd, non-thinking, damaging" threats to your childs education put forth by the district. I just don't know if I'm up for it. <BR/><BR/>I truly do not understand why the primary and driving force is not on providing a wonderful education for all of our children. Truly, scrap the social engineering bent. I want the school district to provide an education -- not to try and be a substitute parent.<BR/><BR/>Well, it is late in the day. Maybe after October 15 when the district puts forth their proposals for enrollment practices and how they will address overcrowding in the North my parent windsock will pick up the true direction of the SPS prevailing winds. As a parent, I really do need to know the long-term direction. If things will double back, or swerve without notice every single year...<BR/><BR/>Thank you again Melissa and Charlie. I really, really do appreciate all of your efforts and vigilence. Just the bit I try to do to keep informed and involved is a big dent in the day. I know what you do is so much more.TwinMom2003https://www.blogger.com/profile/13330240199097718321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78960761851057868972008-10-07T16:19:00.000-07:002008-10-07T16:19:00.000-07:00One important thing TwinMom (and boy, there's a jo...One important thing TwinMom (and boy, there's a job)that I forgot to say. Please do not give all your energy and time to elementary school. It is really exciting when you first put your children in school and, of course, you want to help in the classroom and to help sustain your school. (Indeed, many schools sustain their physical structure because the district cannot. Bless them for their efforts.)<BR/><BR/>But it is easy to get burned out in 6 years. And, once you take on the mantle as someone who will step up, you get tagged that way. Say no sometimes and allow others to step up. Many people leave elementary school totally exhausted. <BR/><BR/>But, you see, you are still needed in middle and high school. No, it's not the same thing as elementary school but you are needed. Just as an elementary school cannot be consider good without a solid parent base behind it, neither can a middle or high school. But many perceive middle school as such a short time that they hold back getting involved. Pick one thing and do it - tours, staff appreciation, first day activities, etc. It will be appreciated.<BR/><BR/>Go to your child's middle or high school teachers if you think you have a special talent or knowledge. They are usually so busy they don't think to ask but are grateful for someone to come in to talk to students to help expand a discussion.<BR/><BR/>I know it sounds like a lot but your child's education is a huge part of their life and no matter what they say as sometimes sullen teens, they need you.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86938832893509680042008-10-07T12:17:00.000-07:002008-10-07T12:17:00.000-07:00I'm such an idealist that I still experience fresh...I'm such an idealist that I still experience fresh outrage everytime the District does things horribly wrong. I've been doing this for over seven years and I'm not experiencing any sort of outrage fatigue.<BR/><BR/>Once I thought I would put it all behind me, but as I was filling a box with documents, handouts, and notes, I found a letter full of unfulfilled promises from Superintendent Manhas that just set me off again.<BR/><BR/>The original issue that first brought me to testify before the Board still has not been resolved.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56259856038538534792008-10-07T07:58:00.000-07:002008-10-07T07:58:00.000-07:00Just speaking for myself, one reason, frankly, is ...Just speaking for myself, one reason, frankly, is because it stopped being about just my child. I went to Board meetings and heard testimony and realized that many, many parents have issues that were not being addressed. My view grew to be district-sized.<BR/><BR/>Also, I found that being an education wonk fit me. It's interesting and I like many other activists.<BR/><BR/>I also have an understanding husband who knew how much this mattered to me. There are a lot of meetings to go to and many evenings not being at home.<BR/><BR/>But this is not for everyone. In terms of helping your child, it's finding a school that fits your child. That helps. It's doing research (yes, it takes time) to back up what you feel is important. It's showing that what you are advocating might be good for more than just your child but their class, the school, etc. <BR/><BR/>I honestly find renewal in other people who care about education, in knowing that reporting on a meeting that I know others care to hear about helps, and in sometimes just walking away from the subject for awhile.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-88249026175901721212008-10-06T19:08:00.000-07:002008-10-06T19:08:00.000-07:00I have been following the updates from the NE Clus...I have been following the updates from the NE Cluster Coalition (NECC), and watched the latest board meeting on tv (home watching the kids.)<BR/><BR/>It did seem very encouraging that the board basically demanded more substantial action from the district - such as starting a new neighborhood school on the same campus with Summit - vs. the all very lame (in my view) proposals from facilities.<BR/><BR/>However, from reading the posts here I'm doubting the optimistic outlook from the NECC.<BR/><BR/>Is any optimism warranted? And, if not - how do so many of you maintain the energy year after year to fight to be heard as a parent -- the person who truly knows what is best for their child?TwinMom2003https://www.blogger.com/profile/13330240199097718321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25686043674096995542008-10-06T18:12:00.000-07:002008-10-06T18:12:00.000-07:00For me, I guess the bottom line is why isn't reope...<I>For me, I guess the bottom line is why isn't reopening closed buildings a lot higher up the priority list?</I><BR/><BR/>From what I have read- security is apparently lax & some buildings have had copper wiring etc. stripped/vandalized even though some have been closed for a very short time.<BR/><BR/>Who knows how long and how much money it would take to get them in habitable condition.<BR/><BR/>Facilities?Jet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75714098691388156012008-10-06T17:13:00.000-07:002008-10-06T17:13:00.000-07:00One other thought - the current "process" for deci...One other thought - the current "process" for deciding how to resolve the north end's elementary overcrowding is beginning to have all the earmarks of heading for another planning train wreck of the type that SPS has an unfortunate history of having too many of.<BR/><BR/>The timeframe seems to be even more compressed than Phase 2 of the school closure/realignment process. The decision making process is even more opaque, with goals and strategy that are even less clearly spelled out, and with opportunities for public input even more fragmented, poorly organized, and poorly advertised than Phase 2 was. I don't see this ending at all well.<BR/><BR/>Maybe I'm feeling a bit pessimistic at the moment, but since the district is apparently not seriously contemplating actually adding space in the north end (i.e., by reopening closed buildings), here are my predictions for the future:<BR/><BR/>1) Summit and AS#1 will continue to suffer from lack of support from SPS and the continual threat of closure and/or involuntary, short-fused moves. This uncertainty will contribute to declining enrollment at both schools, and both will be kicked around for a few more years before finally expiring.<BR/><BR/>2) Most of the students currently at Summit and AS#1 sooner or later will end up in other north end schools.<BR/><BR/>3) As the economy falls apart, an awful lot of students who are currently in private schools will be enrolled in public schools, and these new to the public school system students will be concentrated in areas that already feature badly overcrowded elementaries.<BR/><BR/>4) Since little or no actual new space will have been added, the overcrowding in NE elementaries (and Eckstein and Roosevelt) will be even worse than it is now, parental distrust of the district will be even more prevalent, and several more years will be wasted.<BR/><BR/>For me, I guess the bottom line is why isn't reopening closed buildings a lot higher up the priority list? And why on earth was closing Viewlands ever considered a good idea? (it's like the decision to close Queen Anne High School all over again . . .)<BR/><BR/>And for our dose of irony, the State Auditor told SPS a few weeks ago that we should still be studying school closures . . .Roy Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16120444973792909383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23881420686902383352008-10-06T17:10:00.000-07:002008-10-06T17:10:00.000-07:00Thanks for posting the staff's proposal Melissa, u...Thanks for posting the staff's proposal Melissa, up to this point I had not heard of it being discussed, nor had I seen anything in writing. It is troubling to hear that the board would think about closing Summit or AS1. Relocating, I understand, especially from a transportation perspective, not only financially, but to save kids from very long commutes. But closing these programs is another can of worms. I truly believe that these schools have dwindled in size because the district has scared families who might choose them away. Both of these schools are ALWAYS on the chopping block. They were both on the chopping block for the first round of school closures, and then again for the second round of closures. Now they are on the chopping block yet again. Parents can't confidently choose these programs as they are always in threat of being closed. <BR/><BR/>Plus the Summit and AS1 students WILL have to be re-accommodated, and most of them will remain in the N and NE cluster where schools are already over full. We're talking at least half of Summits population (250 kids), and about half of AS1's population (130 kids). Where does the district think they will fit? closing these programs just doesn't make sense to me.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15203324698272414142008-10-06T16:51:00.000-07:002008-10-06T16:51:00.000-07:00It depends on whether you believe staff is "author...It depends on whether you believe staff is "authority". Are they decision-makers? No but they are where the Superintendent and Board go for primary information. I did provide a link in this thread to the Powerpoint at the Work Session and here's what it says:<BR/><BR/>"Repurpose Jane Addams and/or Pinehurst to accommodate current and future elementary and middle school enrollment (closing or relocating Summit and/or AS #1)"<BR/><BR/>Okay kids, so there it is in black and white. It was acknowledged by the Board and there was cursory discussion. The biggest discussion was to repurpose Jane Addams but, of course, that means Summit has to go somewhere.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-64310532901232006002008-10-06T16:44:00.000-07:002008-10-06T16:44:00.000-07:00I received a call from AS#1's principal this after...I received a call from AS#1's principal this afternoon; he is forming a steering committee to be prepared in case anything comes up regarding relocating or closing AS#1. He doesn't know of any specific proposals in that vein, but he is apparently as much in the dark as the rest of us as to what the district might be intending, and he is hearing rumors as well.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, I'm not even surprised at this point that communication in SPS is so poor that the administration of individual schools isn't being informed of what is going on, and thus is not in a position to put rumors to rest.Roy Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16120444973792909383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-54311499858914380402008-10-06T16:34:00.000-07:002008-10-06T16:34:00.000-07:00It is extraordinarily unlikely that Summit would b...It is extraordinarily unlikely that Summit would be moved any further south than Lincoln or John Marshall. There are no available buildings south of the Ship Canal and East of the Duwamish that can hold over 500 students of any grade level.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36675704185859695802008-10-06T16:08:00.000-07:002008-10-06T16:08:00.000-07:00excuse me, I said "but it is true that if summit i...excuse me, I said "but it is true that if summit is closed" and what I really meant was "but it is true that if summit is moved further south"anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10585539510822883592008-10-06T16:07:00.000-07:002008-10-06T16:07:00.000-07:00First of all, there really has been no talk of clo...First of all, there really has been no talk of closing Summit from anybody of authority. What the board and Super have talked about, and what may likely happen, is relocating Summit. That is VERY different from closing Summit. And, they have not talked of relocating or moving AS1 at all. Where is everyone getting your information (please list your source so rumors don't get started).<BR/><BR/>But it is true that if Summit is closed many north end families (50% of Summits student body) will either move to AS1 or filer into a neighborhood school. They will likely not want to be bused across the city. So, the N and NE will likely have to absorb many of these kids, which really is defeating the purpose (in the short run anyway).anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-79569190496758193432008-10-06T14:41:00.000-07:002008-10-06T14:41:00.000-07:00If they decide to move Summit somewhere further so...If they decide to move Summit somewhere further south, they should not close/move AS1. I would be willing to bet that a significant number of younger N and NE cluster Summit kids would switch to AS1 rather than sit on a bus for an hour (not all, but many). These alternative school families might prefer AS1 over the N end neighborhood schools. That could improve AS1's numbers and make it more viable (though it might impact their culture).Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60566181615540672232008-10-06T13:43:00.000-07:002008-10-06T13:43:00.000-07:00No Roy, there was no discussion of what might happ...No Roy, there was no discussion of what might happen to students in the NE/North area who attend Summit. (AS#1 was not broadly discussed; as well, their building is small and in poor condition so it is unlikely much might happen there.)<BR/><BR/>Class of '75, I think the Jane Addams building has too many other uses to the Board and the community than being using to combine AS#1/Summit. I think that idea is done. You make good points about the lack of sports facilities at Lincoln. It's interesting because that is what Facilities says anytime there is talk of using Lincoln as something other than an interim site but I have heard several Board members mention using Lincoln as a site for a QA/Magnolia/Wallingford/Fremont high school. That issue would still be there and I wonder how they might overcome it.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60486331019679407972008-10-06T11:11:00.000-07:002008-10-06T11:11:00.000-07:00When we were at Summit- middle school students wer...When we were at Summit- middle school students were often from the surrounding area. Olchefske had Summit add a 6th grade class & families who didn't get into Eckstein/didn't want a huge school had the option of attending Summit just for middle school.<BR/><BR/>Elementary students, were sometimes from surrounding area, but as I believe John Rogers/Sacajawea had space- were more likely to be from all over the district and interested in an alternative program.<BR/><BR/>If my daughter hadn't got into Summit- as her older sister did not when she was elementary school age, she would have stayed at her private elementary school.<BR/><BR/>High school students, are sometimes students who have attended earlier grades, but also students that were new to the district and the PIC centers told them Summit was the only place that had space, as well as students who were misinformed by the PIC centers ( I have seen info from district stating this), that Summit K-12 was a "re-entry" program.<BR/><BR/>I think Summit/As#1 should be counseled to see the strengths of combining their programs into the Addams building.<BR/>An alternative school needs parents and educators who are interested in a similar vision of alternative education, not families who are told that this building is the only one that has openings, or educators who just want to get their foot in the door at the district.<BR/>Summit/AS#1 already have a history of sharing yellow buses, sharing friday winter programs and similar original philosophy.<BR/><BR/>I'd be interested to hear where the middle school grads from AS#1 attend high school. <BR/><BR/>I would also be interested to have the Lincoln build considered- for most of the reasons that Charlie has mentioned- however- as my daughter who graduated from Garfield @ Lincoln last spring pointed out- <BR/>Summit has both middle and high school sports teams. Lincoln has no fields, nor a track and made practice for any sports teams for the two years Garfield was at Lincoln very difficult. Having a middle/high school in the Lincoln building there long term, would require rethinking sports practices. ( as well as PE space for elementary students)Jet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60117937153175454352008-10-06T10:10:00.000-07:002008-10-06T10:10:00.000-07:00Was there any discussion of the possibility that i...Was there any discussion of the possibility that if Summit and/or AS#1 are moved or closed, a sizable number of students (especially at the elementary school level) are likely to move into other schools in the area, thus not doing that much to relieve the population pressure in the NE?Roy Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16120444973792909383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14699306813972860522008-10-04T18:39:00.000-07:002008-10-04T18:39:00.000-07:00Old-Salt, without a huge commitment to disabled st...Old-Salt, without a huge commitment to disabled students on many levels, I don't see the complete "integrated services model" you reference working very well. There is value in economies of scale, to a point of course. Is there the commitment disabled students or equity in general? Maybe, but I don't see much evidence of that commitment. So, SPS should take what works well with the programs, because lots of things work well, and simply address the problems. In order to concentrate service delivery, disabled students have vastly reduced choices and very divergent needs. Therefore, most "programs" should be placed in the most "full service" schools possible. <BR/><BR/>Programs should be placed in schools that are also free of too a many other challenges. That is, schools should be able to handle the students they receive. Schools which are greatly overburdened (like Roxhill and Cleveland), should not be made to take on lots of new challenges. New programs should NOT be placed in failing schools. Programs should be removed from schools who demonstrate a failure to serve. Programs at highly specialized, non-traditional places, like Summit, should be optional not forced for disabled students like they are for everyone else. <BR/><BR/>Private monies for public schools must be required to serve ALL students, including students with disabilities. Private money should not cherry-pick their beneficiaries. The private-public arrangements in buildings should mean that those schools will have adequate access and programs for students with disabilities. Currently, SPS essentially allows "disability free zones" for private pay in places like the New School and elsewhere. <BR/><BR/>Many, many more inclusion programs need to be placed in middle and high schools. Currently, the district's staff (who sit on students's IEP's without any knowledge of the students) make placement recommendations, decisions actually, based on the limited availability of programs in schools rather than student's needs.AutismMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11733034472823241389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-240202476064706082008-10-04T14:36:00.000-07:002008-10-04T14:36:00.000-07:00SEAAC (Special Education Advocate and Advisory Cou...SEAAC (Special Education Advocate and <BR/>Advisory Council)2004- <BR/> 2005- <BR/><BR/>This was a committee that brought information to parents/teachers who were interested in Special education.<BR/>It was invaluable IMO, because of privacy issues- families with students in SPED could not be placed on a mailing list or phone tree & unless someone in their school building , made a point to get general information out about programs/ about resource fairs etc, families would never know about it<BR/><BR/>The special ed PTSA, is interested in getting a rep in each building to pass on information-Jet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17693049556327436912008-10-04T14:30:00.000-07:002008-10-04T14:30:00.000-07:00There is an APP group- I do not believe it is call...There is an APP group- I do not believe it is called at PTA, but the SEAAC group that existed a few years ago- was dismantled by the district, in my interpretation & the PTA group was formed in the vacuum.<BR/><BR/>Garfield has a PTA for the support of African American students, although I do not think there is a district wide one yet.<BR/><BR/>These things are need driven and PTAs are always looking for more involvement- if you feel there is need and interest to start another group - this is where you can contact the Seattle PTA for more support.<BR/><BR/><I>www.seattlecouncilptsa.org/resources.shtml</I>Jet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36828406743144217042008-10-04T12:52:00.000-07:002008-10-04T12:52:00.000-07:00Is there a PTSA for minority or bi-lingual student...Is there a PTSA for minority or bi-lingual students, an APP PTSA? I don't understand why a separate organization is needed for children with disabilities. It's just another way of ghettoizing differently abled learners and their issues. <BR/><BR/>It seems to be getting lost in this thread that the Chief Academic Officer compared the situation of children with disabilities to "instituional racism." That is an amazing statement. So let's see how the CAO will use program placement to begin dismantling those institutional practices for 2009. <BR/><BR/>class of 75 what is seaac?readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00375775967885300005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4046594304179852582008-10-04T11:43:00.000-07:002008-10-04T11:43:00.000-07:00Would a better system of special ed placement be a...<I>Would a better system of special ed placement be a strict neighborhood school assignment for all children? I mean all levels of special ed, general ed, bilingual, advanced learners? </I><BR/><BR/>This would push resources to the schools where parents with resources (financial connections- etc), even more so than it is now.<BR/><BR/>For example- our neighborhood school- when we moved here- was in bad physical shape. A UW study suggested it be closed because of toxic levels of PCBs etc, but it was not because no other place to put the kids.<BR/>Eventually it was torn down and rebuilt. No special programs to attract students, although those students with no special concerns do well. <BR/>However, when I visited the special education classroom, I was saddened when I saw that the teacher tried to control the children by emotional manipulation i.e. shaming & in reflecting on the incident to me, did not seem to recognize my shock at her methods.<BR/>Now, perhaps this was a one time incident, I don't know- but it was not someplace I was willing to send my daughter, although a parent who was not able to visit- or to participate in the classroom- would never know that side of it.<BR/><BR/>Families who need more resources- with disabilities- low income- ESL- gifted-, should have access to greater resources.<BR/><BR/>Im not opposed to a student with ( for example) Asperger's who is able to do high school/college work with flexible teaching and support assigned to a high school who recognizes the strengths of these students and is willing to have the supports in place that they need. ( as long as the family has input and can appeal decision- because I also recognize sometimes schools without programs labeled as SPED can better service these students)<BR/><BR/>I am opposed to a school being picked out of a hat to serve those students, because few students in the neighborhood wish to attend.<BR/><BR/>Next meeting for Special ed committee<BR/>SEAAC will meet again at the John Stanford Center for Educational <BR/>Excellence in room 2776 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM on 9 October 2008.Jet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65230272835182697932008-10-04T10:49:00.000-07:002008-10-04T10:49:00.000-07:00Autism mom,Would a better system of special ed pla...Autism mom,<BR/><BR/>Would a better system of special ed placement be a strict neighborhood school assignment for all children? I mean all levels of special ed, general ed, bilingual, advanced learners? <BR/><BR/> Or perhaps give a choice of being assigned by the district to a program or attending your assigned neighborhood school. (I believe that currently advanced learners have the choice of joining a program or staying in their local school.)old salthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07971380233996439817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19796476320904412912008-10-04T09:51:00.000-07:002008-10-04T09:51:00.000-07:00Don't get me wrong, I don't think special ed kids ...<I>Don't get me wrong, I don't think special ed kids should be forced out of their neighborhood schools if their needs can be met there. I just didn't like Thelma's attitude of why her kids simply can't go to a bad school. Low income and minority kids fill the halls of those "bad" schools. They don't deserve it any more than her kid does.</I><BR/><BR/>The issue is a little more complicated than this. The needs of nearly all special education students CAN be met in any school, if the school chooses to do so. The issue in special education is proportionality. Each cluster needs to both pull it's weight, and provide opportunitites. About 1/3 of the kids with disabilities are in "programs", often non-local. So, these programs serving non-local kids also need to be equitably spread around. What worries me is that many people think the N/NE don't need to pull their share just because there's a crunch. These disabled kids have become something of a target. About 1/2 of the disabled kids(level 4) at my child's school south of the ship canal, are shipped in from the NE. Yes, Cleveland, Madrona, and Roxhill need to have special education programs and students. But so do, Bryant, Laurelhurst, New School, Eckstein, Garfield, and Roosevelt. Since Cleveland, Madrona, and Roxhill already serve the highest percentages of disabled students, and are already provably unable to do the job, why should more be sent to those places from N Seattle? Increasing the challenges faced in those schools is part of the reason the schools are unattractive in the first place, to people like SSMom.AutismMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11733034472823241389noreply@blogger.com