I’m just going to have be content with stopping socialism here in Alameda County.

I already pointed that out in #11.

An island! Can you afford your own private island?

http://ousd.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=1213944&GUID=67E35455-E2A7-495A-A2F8-B4EF581C53E7&Options=&Search=

If you follow this link and open up the .ppt presentation you will see see 13 eligibility categories(11 of which are fairly specific and 2 which are overly broad and possibly abused). These two categories are a major reason for the surge in spec ed placements.

http://educationnext.org/debunking-a-special-education-myth/

My point is that these people are not overpaid, but that there a probably far too many kids who should not be in spec ed(if this were to be corrected there would be less personnel needed and more money available).

In my opinion I think the district admin people are in over their head and clueless when it comes to special education and all the issues involved with it.

I’ve never been paid to work with special ed kids.

Many on this board have an agenda. Why is it that the only one which upsets them is *mine*?

#13′s bombast just shows you why public education is such a disaster. You have all these college educated “experts” who run the institution talking jargon to one another, and using the kids as guinea pigs and the taxpayers as cash cows.

Second to the parent of a young person with Autism, thank you for supporting the work that teachers do to support students with disabilities and recognize that we too must have time to eat, sleep and raise our own families. Congratulations on your son’s success in college.

Third to Nontcair I want to start by quoting your comment,
“One of the more openly unbridled demands for protectionism that you’ll see.

(1) class size limits: more teaching positions
(2) caseload limits: fewer working hours
(3) limited school assignments: territorial monopolies”
I wonder if you have ever worked as a special education teacher in OUSD, I highly doubt it. I have and I think it would blow your mind to do my job for just one day. If I am being honest, until I spent my summer working in a class for students with severe autism I didn’t truly understand the need for so many adults in one class. But after just four short weeks I understood that every adult was very much needed and every adult worked hard all day. Yes it costs more to educate students with exceptional needs, but that doesn’t mean we dont do it, Parents and teachers have already had that fight and IDEA was passed as a result.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I LOVE my job. I get to be a part of learning for students who it doesn’t come to easily. I get to help transform my students in wonderful, independent and successful young adults. But, I also know that at my current caseload limit which is 25% higher than any other nearby district I cannot give them all that they deserve and need, there is simply not enough of me to go around, let alone enough hours in the day. It might mean more teaching positions but it will also mean that my students have the best shot at an engaging and meaningful education.
I support the work of the CAC and the OEA Special Education Caucus because they are committed to the education of all children, no matter the cost. I believe that the Special Ed caucus can engage with parents, students and Programs for Exceptional Children in ways that improve the experience of students with special needs in Oakland Unified.
I am also hopeful that our new director will forge a new path, one in which PEC connects with, listens to and engages all teachers. She should start with introducing herself and visitng some classrooms, it might make her claims of “engagement strategies” seem a little more realistic.