BTW, every parent of a disabled child in school should be informed of their rights under the IDEA or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
A PBSP should be on file for every student to minimize risk to the child and protect their rights. The PBSP or Positive Behavior Support Plan and a detailed Functional Assessment can be used to protect the child.
A typical PBSP for intervention with parental consent forbids the use of law enforcement in the case of serious problems. Kicking a trash can is not cause for calling the police.
Some schools have their own city police assigned to them, but they don't take the kids to jail, don't cuff them, etc. They are there to act as father figures at times with some students who need a good example. The idea that this young man will learn to stop 'misbehaving' with jail time and a criminal record is insane.
A well-run program takes all the factors into account that effect a student's reaction. Yes, this costs money for the school district and they are being starved by their money being siphoned off to schools that don't take in the more disabled students. Some classes do everything, from teaching, sports, life training skills, coping mechanism, etc all the way to bathroom duties and laundries for children that have accidents or physical problems. The teachers are paid well as they are able to handle physical, intellectual, emotional and traumatic brain injured kids.
In some areas, corruption and favoritism in disbursement of funds are stealing the funding to enforce the IDEA and PBSPs.
In some areas, the general public, elected officials and even school administrators and teachers suffer a lack of good education themselves. They have a punishment oriented mindset that does not work to reinforce good behavior.
Negative reinforcement such as was used here is the product of ignorance and it appears there are no progressive educated voices to advocate. Having lived in districts that flat out refused to serve these kids, others that stole the money or saw the disabled person's behavior as costly or criminal, but others that had progressive politics, admins and well-educated professionals, there is a huge difference.
The matter of this youngster's race is a big factor, but I suspect the entire district is corrupt and serves only those they choose. The difference in districts can literally save lives or destroy them. I wish this kid could get out of there, but that is also a problem, because they should be following federal law. Here is a quick source, others can be found that are better, but this one does have necessary links within the webpage:
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/idea/
I warn any parent of a disabled child, that unfortunately some districts know these laws, but will never inform the unwitting parents who aren't part of a support network to clue them in about it. They should be forced to tell the parents their rights, but they don't. I've seen this and what has to happen is the parents get together. The school may attempt to make that harder by claiming confidentiality. A network is essential for parents to share information.
Lack of information causes grief and time wasted for the parent and child. By withholding this information on the laws, the school shortchanges the rights of the students with impunity. If a parent knows, they will fight to get their child services needed, but they must be prepared to go after the administration.
Is it any wonder the Koches and the GOP want to eliminate the Department of Education since it supports public schools where these laws can be invoked?
= new reply since forum marked as read
