--- Kevin Tarr <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: [I wrote]: > >This sounds like one of the stupidest things I've > ever > >heard, and one of my CO collegues with 20 years in > >speech therapy/special education commented (when I > >asked if this was true): "It is not only true, it is > >actually worse than this. Students who are in a > >persistant vegetative state have been required to > take > >the test from time to time, students who do not yet > >speak English, students with severe emotional > >disorders, physical problems, etc. It is > >absolutely absurd."
> Wait, wait wait. How is a "student" in a "persistent > vegetative state"? I > not joking about this. If there are more than one > percent of students who > have zero improvement, then maybe the "students" > need physical therapists, not "teachers". <shrug> There's a lot of 'warehousing' that's occurred since 'mainstreaming' became all the rage, and special programs were dismantled. While there are benefits to both the mentally handicapped and the 'normal' child in many cases of mainstreaming, I have 2 friends in Special Education, and what isn't in their job description but what they do includes: tube feedings, diaper-changing, tracheostomy-tube suctioning, dressing changes...etc. Even though there are supposed to be "paras" to do that, there aren't enough to go 'round and do the labor-intensive work. One mostly works with children in the IQ range 65-80, and her goals are 'functioning in society' because these kids can't do algebra, however diligent an effort they make. The other is trying to get late-elememtary-to-early-middle-schoolers to name animals, learn their colors, and not spit at or bite other children. Both also work with "emotionally disturbed" SpecEd kids, and have been bitten, spat on, vomited on, hit with fists and various inanimate objects (enough to leave bruises occasionally)...and after ~20 years in their field, make less than $60K/yr. I certainly couldn't do what they do, not for twice the money. Unless I was on Valium. <not joking> Debbi No Saintly Patience Here Maru :-/ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now http://companion.yahoo.com/ _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
