Special Education
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Special Education costs have risen in a local school district in Ohio average $50,000 + per autistic student per year, as compared to less than $8,000 for a "regular education" student in the same district. I have also been told by many "regular education" teachers that special education has become a "mockery of what it was originally supposed to be." That special education was originally set up to provide services for those who are otherwise not able to have a quality education. But considering the public schools that have a finacial burden (especially in Ohio) Is this fair? I can see both sides 1) Why spend the money one students who are least likely to give back to society and 2) How can we not spend the money on these students-- after all everyone is guaranteed a chance to have at best a "quality" education?? -Especially those who are less fortunate. What are your thoughts?? http://autismhelper.blogspot.com/ Why are you putting the blame on special education? At least it seems as though you are. i agree with you brent, if it take longer then they will get the ed they need, robin, i think she means more of the school administation. i know that how i feel about it not all spec ed teacher they try to help the kids, it the other administation that put a damper on the specail needs and they care more for other or sports then eduction the kids in ohio.but there are some spec ed teacher that some that dont care they there for a pay check, i know i work for a school and i know some teacher are they are so glad the end of the day they just want they pay check and cant wait till get rid of the kids to me that what you went to school for, to take on spec needs kids, so if they dont like it then they should of thought of this before going for the that type of teaching., but dont get me wrong there are some wonderful spec ed teacher, but not everyone there for the kids.  bober, i agree i get letter all the time say thank and they look inot it but nothing has happen has long has we have the people we have in ohio we need people that care for education and mean it, not one to promise and they get elected and then go back on there word!!My name Is Amanda Cochran and I am working with an autism child who is 5,and I love what I do,Ive been working with him for almost 2 years and Im looking for another family to work with.If any one is interested contact me at ajcocean01@hotmail.com I work with education and handeling everyday tasks [QUOTE=angelina1982]robin, i think she means more of the school administation. i know that how i feel about it not all spec ed teacher they try to help the kids, it the other administation that put a damper on the specail needs and they care more for other or sports then eduction the kids in ohio.[/QUOTE] My recent unhappiness with the school district that we live in is mainly with the administration. Clueless people. They should be forced to actually work in the class room to see what the teacher and students go through during the day. I think polticians should also. What people don't get is we all should get what will help us in school and daily life. Disqualify a person or not qualifying will not help that person in the long run at all. We all should get what help we need. The dx shouldn't really matter.Robin, as a special ed teacher, I totally agree. The problem doesn't lie with the sp ed teachers themselves (although i work with some who act like they got their degree at the local 7-11). But I have never, ever worked with one adminstrator who is able to "speak the sp ed language" like they can other educational issues. And, thus, leave it up to us, the sp ed teachers to try and get the regular ed teachers to work with us and the child. When the reg ed teacher knows they are gonna be backed by the adminstration on their teaching methods, and what they choose to do and not to do, then it creates a world of havoc for us. Administration leaves it up to the sp ed teachers to "train" the reg ed teachers in what is going on in sp ed, and since we are equals, we are usually just blowing hot air into a room when it comes to speaking to reg ed teachers and administrators about sp ed. Let me reiterate, not all sp ed and reg teachers would fall into this catergory. And as a whole, I think that regular ed teachers do what they can with the amount of training they have in the area of disabilities. But there are some of all of us who could put forth more effort. For those who have posted comments about affording the child an education so they will have an opportunity to be productive citizens of our American society, you hit the nail on the head. I see that as my primary job, to train my students in a way that will lead to a more productive, independent life. How productive and independent that life will be isn't manifested until sometimes years down the road. But why should we stop giving them the opportunity. For those of you who have posted comments about spending money on extra-curr programs and sports programs, you might as well save your breath. No school system is going to cut those things out, no matter what the issue is. I attended a high school that would, and still does, think that the sports program is what makes the school. Being from the south, nothing is going to change these peoples minds about a football program. Not saying that i don't agree that an excessive amount of money is spent in this area, but worrying and fretting about that issues is a total waste of time. I once had a conversation about sp ed and money with the superintendent of education in my county. I don't remember exact numbers. But he told me that our county received x amount of dollars per sp ed student and according to the services we provide our sp ed students, the money received only covers part of the cost fo educating a child with a disability. I would think that those statistics have to change from system to system. For whatver it's worth, those are my thoughts, my a sp ed teacher's point of view. Thanks for the opportunity to share!!! Around here, the minimum a school district spend per year on a TYPICAL child is $10,000. 90% of the school districts around here spend at least 50% more than that. The fundin the district gets for special education is supposed to fund costs above and beyond that. So, if educating a spec. ed. child costs $50,000/yr., the school is funded based on the EXTRA $35,000, not the total $50,000. I'm sure there must be a formula, but it is based basically on that premise. So special ed kids' educations are NOT fully paid for by the state. But neither is any other child's education. The states only fund the "excess costs." However, funding doesn't matter when it comes to creating an IEP, as I'm sure you know, Oscar. The school district CANNOT claim lack of funding. How they fund the services is up to them but they MUST fund services. In the years my son has been in school, I rarely have had anything to do with regular school administrators. I deal exclusively with the special ed dept. All the administrators there are educated in special education, by definition. If the principal has to become involved, I let THEM speak for my child. Back in 1996, when my son entered kindergarten, even the special ed adminstrators were not that informed about autism. Back then, it was 1 in 5,000 kids. Now it's 1 in 166. SO the spec. ed. dept. had to get up to speed quickly. An administrator with years of autism experience was hired and she got the district educated in autism. It's far from ideal, but at least there isn't total ignorance. One of the reasons the District hired this administrator was that they were tired of me knowing more than they did. Advocate, advocate, advocate and you CAN get more informed people in your schools. tzoya what state are you from? that really good your district does that but alot of small town schools district get a way with it and i have tried and i still fighting for my childs and getting non where, i work for these peole some know how to get a way unless you have the dough or a name your nothing in this town.The federal government provides the funding for special education- not the state government. The federal government won't pay for special education services until 2 years after the services have been provided. The school district "fronts" the money, and then is reimbursed by federal funds. That is why our special education paperwork, is so important. In our state, the number of students in special education is growing each year, and the funds we receive are for the services provided 2 years ago. This creates an ongoing deficit. IMO it could be fixed if anyone in administration would anticipate the growth, and budget anticipating not being reimbursed for 2 years, but so far that is not happening. SO, while it is true that the school cannot claim they don't have the money to provide services, the reality is that the school district has a finite amount of money and won't be reimbursed for the services for 2 more years. Since they are paying out of the general fund you can begin to understand why some people interpret this as "taking money away" from general education. How to fix this? Take your advocacy to the federal level. In our area the only opinions that count are those with money! If your not Natives kids they don't want you there anyhow. Outsiders are unwelcomed in this area unless you have money!This school here refuses to change at all. This was why we now have 2 kids in different schools. Countrey schools do not like outsiders at all. I just wish the federal govt. would change the whole education. I wish they would realize everyone needs a education that fits there own personal need as a individual need. Do you know there kids all attend private schooling! Politicians money then your a nobnody what state are you in?TX.If I had to do it again we would do private or home schooling. No parent should go thu what us parents are in the usa. All children should get a FAPE!i agree with youJust because a person is disabled doesn't mean that they won't be able to give back to society. There are plenty of abled bodied people who don't contribute. Every child has a right to a decent education. And I really don't think it costs that much more, to educate a special needs child. If it does, the money certainly isn't reaching the intended goal (someone must be skimming). Thank you T and Robin for responding to this.I'm thinking that maybe sometimes I'm getting overly-sensitive and hesitated to respond...but you both expressed my feelings exactly. Bober, your claims are BOGUS. Our school district does not spend close to that much on students. We have a high graduation rate. Personally, I have witnessed handicapped people giving back to the community more than a nt person. Your blog was filled with false claims and useless junk. BTW life is not fair. Do you think it is fair that people are handicapped to begin with? I do not. Let's treat this troll as we did all the others. I just reported him and then I plan on bumping him. This is simple harassment and doesn't deserve an answer or a place on page 1.Bober are you relayed to Sally Bober in Tx. she is a Great St . We love her and she has helped Daniel out a lot. If we respond here, this noxious post just pops back up to the top of the list. I won't spend anymore time bumping it and getting the spam messages if more people would like to post on this. IF not, can others here who find this offensive please bump it? I just spent a half hour doing that and can't spend anymore time. Thanks. I here many things at school and out of school that don't sit well with me either. I am simple looking for a educated response to give to the many critics of special education. Belive me I understand your anger when it comes to this, but rather than get upset about I want to try and get your input and be able to give an educated answer. ***Brent---sorry I am not http://autismhelper.blogspot.com/  Special Education As a special ed. teacher, I find it hard to believe that we spend that much money on each special ed. student. I know I certainly don't see it! I get a little discouraged with my big caseload, and wonder if I'm really as effective as I can be, but that doesn't mean that I think special ed. is unnecessary. I work my tail off to help my students be the best they can be. Another problem I see is a general lack of parental involvement - it's so great to see so many parents on this forum! Keep it up!
hi kar, yes i know alot of you spec ed teachers have alot put on you, i know alot of them and theyneed the extra help but you all dont get the credit but there alot of teacher they are some that dont care too.i see the site where the school put sports first that wrong. take care and i glad your a teacher that care for our kids good job!  I'm not sure what you mean exactly when you say you want an "educated response" but I would love to contribute. I am a mother. My 5 yr old has autism. Right now he speaks, interacts, plays, has relatively normal self help skills and is most definitely ready to enter Kindergarten from an academic standpoint. He has difficulty with attention, is hyperactive much of the time, is occasionally sensitive to loud noises and does have a mild-moderate expressive/receptive language delay. I am very realistic about my son's abilities at this given moment in time. How can anyone know what he will be able to do, how much he will be able to as you say "give back" until he has been given the opportunity to learn. If you asked me if my son would have ever been able to speak 2 1/2 yrs ago, I probably would have said "unlikely". Today I am overjoyed to hear him boss his sister around or tell us "ok mom, I will eat 4 more green beans but then I'm done" or ask "can we go to the pool today mom?" I guess the point I am trying to make is that we cannot know what a child's potential is until they are given the opportunities and support they need. I would not want to make the decision that any child was not worth educating. We cannot assign value to people based on what they can or can't do. Another point to consider is burden of care in adulthood. You have provided some interesting statistics on the cost of special education. How about the cost of custodial care for an adult per year (this could potentially be for 80 yrs depending on the lifespan of the individual). If we choose to not educate and train our youngest American citizens with special needs, we better be ready to provide lifelong custodial care. If there is any chance we can decrease burden of care in adulthood by training children to take care of themselves then we as a society should be investing our money there. And finally, I am a speech pathologist. I have worked with children who at age 3 did not tolerate any social contact, had little to no appropriate behaviors and no conventional means for communication. Many of these children are now completely mainstreamed in the public schools. Some are even no longer meeting the criteria for an autism diagnosis. I am amazed daily when "these kids" prove everybody wrong. Thanks for reading! slpmom  i give you a bg ten brent, i agreeI say a go at your own pace sytem is the best way. So what you finish at 22 instead of 18. At least you finished. Home school kids can finish at their own pace. I would homeschool except I would have to fight to keep therapy. He could do homeschool classes on Fridays here. Does this sound like a good plan forjr.high/highschool. [QUOTE=bober] I found an article from a Ohio newspaper about this topic. News Herald
...snip... The financial challenge is a result of a steady decrease in state special education funding and less support from the federal government for special education than was promised. ...snip... Write to your Senators and Representatives about this. Special Education |
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