Special Education and "Well-Resourced Schools"

Via the Seattle Special Education Facebook page:

We hope that, especially if you live in the NW region, you can join us on June 10 at Loyal Heights Elementary for this community conversation. 

The SPS description of a "well-resourced school" refers to "inclusive learning." 

 Join us for a community conversation to share ideas and address barriers to creating effective inclusive classrooms. All are welcome to join and participate even though we have six NW schools specifically participating. If we are going to make inclusive classrooms and schools a reality, these kinds of conversations are vital. (We hope to offer more of these kings of conversations in the fall.)

May be an image of 6 people and text that says 'JOIN ALL YOUTH BELONG, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UW HARING CENTER AND THE LOYAL HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY PTA FOR INCLUSION IN OUR SCHOOLS A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION* THURSDAY JUNE 6 FROM 6-7:30PM LOYAL HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY CAFETERIA RSVP: bit.ly ly/3WcyAuH Language interpretation and accommodations available (request by May 23). Childcare for children 5+ also provided (sign up by June 4).'

Comments

SpEd Parent said…
Any thoughts on a 'hidden agenda' here or what the organizers hope to accomplish? Its not like SPS is listening to ANY parents right now. The biggest barrier to inclusive classrooms is a) adequate staffing of IAs and SpEd staff, including PT/OT/Speech, b) adequate staffing, c) adequate prep time and training for Gen Ed teachers, d) adequate staffing.
As has been mentioned elsewhere, closing schools doesn't clearly save much money and will probably drive out more kids whose needs can be met elsewhere and whose parents can afford private school. This is going to raise the percentage of kids needing Special Ed support while shrinking enrollment overall. The school closure plan is NOT helpful for Special Ed students.
Unless they plan to teach parents how to (afford to) take SPS to court when it fails to provide FAPE, in which case, sign me up.
I'm not looking forward to the next few years.
5/23/24, 1:19 PM
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