Good schools have standards and prerequisites – which OUSD is not exactly known for. Special Ed kids are not known to thrive in such an environment because – they are (usually) “special needs” as in need more time, need higher staff ratios, need special attention and need lower barriers – literally.

The only real issue is whether a given barrier to a particular class – say the drama class – is unreasonable and keeping certain people (like maybe this one) out.

Since it’s not clear why this student was blocked form the program it’s hard to discuss whether a given barrier to the class in unreasonable. Surely having to comply with such things as not being psychotic, speaking english, showing up for the enrollment dates and attending class are typical things an “advanced class” is expected to have. I have no idea what they specific issues are with this students and like Katy says, it’s not the practice of her blog to constantly get into the pros and cons or merits of individual students – public dialog isn’t the place for that.

Although it’s good to give students pats on the back sometime…

Good luck to Corrine and her family and good luck to OUSD in doing the difficult job of balancing the individual students with the academic standards and rules enforced for the good of the program. May they be able to work something out to the satisfaction of all.

While it’s not exactly a special needs problem I am familiar with schools having to bar individual students from desirable programs because of their history or personal problems. These stories usually come in at the Jr College (13th Grade!!!) level though. Sort of a too bad, so sad, thing.

To paraphrase Sir Winston Churchill:

Our system of Civil Justice is the worst form of Civil Justice except all others ever tried.

The actual quote is here:

http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/364.html

And as far as I can see, Corinne’s family is using that same system to see that their daughter’s right to education is not abridged.

There is an assertion in the article that Ms. Hunter may file a defamation suit. Her right as well. I don’t see you arguing against that.

As one of the party’s directly involved with the issues that exist around this topic. My son remains in the Drama class in question, and I can attest that at the beginning of this dispute that hew was not getting any “Intermediate” instruction as avowed by Ms. Green. That a shell game was being played by labeling a Beginning Drama curriculum under the title of Intermediate Drama.

I can also attest to the differences in the way our families concerns have been handled contrasted with the treatment of Corinne and her family. I have known Corinne for many years and can only say that her family’s advocacy has been IMNSHO instrumental in advancing the cause of Special Education particularly Aspergers/Autism.

I can assure that the district is taking our concerns very seriously. And I must say that I appreciate all of the efforts made to work with us, I just wish that the same opportunities had been given to Corinne. My son was given the chance to move into the Advanced Drama class. This belies assertions that students can ONLY advance vis-a-vis the “audition proceess”. We also “missed” the auditions. This can certainly be attributed to his disability. We have addressed the situation where students didn’t get (for whatever reason) the correct info about auditions. Our solution is to make sure that auditions, rehearsal schedules, etc. are posted in the ASIP resource room. Rather than criticize Corinne’s lack of ino (which our son and family experienced as well) we are seeking solutions. As did Corinne and her family.

And I can only say that I am aware of circumstances that relate to the district’s settlement that suggest even more strongly that my view of the settlement is correct. I tried to avoid such a statement earlier. I noted that the details of the settlement are appropriately private; hence I can comment no further on that aspect of these issues.

Over the years, we have had a number of similiar struggles. I am reminded of the PE teacher at Montera who gave my son a low grade in PE for not dressing out. I expect a bunch of criticism along the lines of “why should your son get special treatment?”. The action prescribed for my son in his IEP was to be allowed to participate in gym activities in street clothes if he didn’t have his gym uniform. He was also not to be penalized for not having his gym clothes.

As to why these accomodations were written into his IEP. Sufice it to say that the suggestion was made by a professional. It was agreed to by the district, and the PE teacher was hostile, rude and absolutely unable or unwilling to accept the explanations of how this was directly related to his aurtism. (Similiar dispute, different academic course and setting.) The administration agreed with our complaint and corrected the final grade to reflect what the teacher should have done in the first place.

And this was by no means the only such bias we have face over the years.

If I have read and understood Susan Bergmann’s comments, she is more disturbed by the lack of support of the Principal than the errant judgement of Ms. Hunter. Susan has expressed this view to me privately on many occaisions and publicly in the discussions following the publication of the article.

One bright note in all of this for our family. I have heard through channels that Ms. Hunter is deeply concerned that our son not be adversely affected by the ongoing conflict. I see this as a harbinger of hope and feel that we will have the opportunity that Corinne missed to “get it right”.

Thank you Jan Hunter for your compassion during a trying time. There are plenty of areas or dispute in life. In this instance I can see that Ms. Hunter is indeed striving for the high road.

Would you want the money coming from your child’s school for hundreds of thousands of dollars so that the district could stand its moral high ground? Would you want to fly in the students who will be off to college to testify when the case actually comes to court? Because that’s what would need to happen – real people would need to testify.

I agree with you on one point, I believe we should be able to use the justice system to settle differences. The problem is the wheels of justice turn slowly. The costs mount and the loser would not be required to pay the costs for the winner, even when there is no evidence of wrongdoing. In the case where there is not enough money, as with the Oakland schools, all decisions will come down to how much will it cost? What are the alternatives? How can we reduce expenses?

Some could call that a morally bankrupt system. Others would say that the district is finally being fiscally responsible.

As I said, it seems significant to me that OUSD settled so quickly. Unfortunately for further meaningul debate on this topic (not just our opinions) we would need to know the details of a private settlement.

And I would note, that “prisons are filled with innocent people”.

Most often Civil Cases simply resolve disputes in a legal context. Ever watch Judge Judy or The Peoples Court? The losers always say the judgment was in error. When your company settled (as I said above, not an explicit admission of wrongdoing) you surrendered the moral high ground for economic expediency. Certainly this is a valid business position from an economic standpoint. But let’s not claim to be standing on principal.

And one can assert that they “”would have won” their cases, but infact you didn’t win. Rather the company capitulated (for whatever reason).

As to keeping and storing documents, CD-Rs cost less than $1.00 each. Not such a heavy burden IMNSHO.

It’s a matter of money, pure and simple.

people also have to realize this is not an attack on Ms. Hunter. is she a good teacher? did she act perfectly in this situation? everyone will have their own opinion, but that is a completely separate discussion. this is about making legally required accomodations. im not a lawyer, and Skyline students aren’t either. your opinions of corinne dont matter. the law protects her here. she was excluded not based on acting ability, but based on her personality and social behavior. these are part of her disability, which makes it discrimination. ask a lawyer, we did. thats why we know we’re right.

I just hope this discussion can move more towards principles (thank you Turner and Sue) and away from personal judgments. insulting my family is like insulting me, and it’s hurtful.

I totally agree…
Turner

You really should go back and read my earlier posts.

Luck had nothing to do with my son’s success. He’s autistic, not Aspergers Syndrome, and more severely disabled than Corinne. He’s been Corinne’s peer and friend since the ASIP program started when they were 5th graders. He’s also the other student at Skyline mentioned in the Monday article, repeating the beginning drama class, even though his final grade was a B last year.

Mainstreaming (done right!) has worked incredibly well for both of these kids, and AFAIK for the rest of the students in the ASIP program – up until the present. ASIP has been a very successful program, and I would be overjoyed to see the school district using it as a model for serving students with other types of disabilities.

The law requires that students be educated in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), and implementing more mainstream and inclusion programs would innoculate the district against any more lawsuits. I’d rather see children being successfully educated with effective support, than see the district pouring their limited budget into settling suits because those children weren’t being properly served in accordance with the law.

Don’t get me wrong. The teachers in the mainstream are dedicated and will do their best to ensure that the children are served well. Some kids just need more attention and dedication that the GE teachers can’t give. That’s where Specail Ed comes in. Hence, there is a distinct difference between the teacher to student ratios in special Ed v General Ed. Special Ed’s is way lower., as it should be.

If you are lucky enough to have a child who was in Special Ed and later able to graduate to General Ed, good for you. Unfortunately, there are other parents who have not had that experience. So, be fair and don’t refer to people views different from yours as nonsense.

Turner