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Friday, March 2, 2007
Special Education: Is It Always Us Vs. Them?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
State Department of Education officials are revamping special education rules because of changes made to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Officials began accepting public comment on the state rules changes late last year. Since then, I’ve heard a couple complaints — one from a parent of a special education student and one from a special education advocate — that the state and local school systems did a poor job of soliciting input.
A Fayette County mother told me that, even though she is very involved at school, she didn’t find out about the changes until the first deadline to comment had passed.
There seems to be a prevailing attitude among parents that state and local education officials aren’t forthcoming with information when it comes to special education. Some have blamed this on the litigious nature of the system, which may make educators feel that they can’t speak freely.
But maybe I just have a skewed perception because I only hear from the disgruntled. So tell me: When it comes to special education, is there always an us (families) vs. them (educators) attitude, or is this idea just coming from a small, but vocal, group of unhappy parents?
