Christmas time.

Merry Christmas, wishing you and yours hope, joy and peace in this season of love.

Welcome New Opportunities

As a new school year begins tomorrow, I welcome the opportunity to learn new things, meet new people, face new challenges and facilitate the learning of others.

Off to Assateague Island, Maryland

We are off to Assateague for our annual family camping trip. There will be quite a few of us: 23 Smyths, and a bunch of Lambert cousins...should be fun. It's a beautiful place.

KUDOS FOR AUGUST MARTIN HS

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April Showers

We are now ready for the homestretch. Time to redouble our efforts with those borderline kids, help them to achieve all that they can and move forward in the educational journey. I know I feel tired and unmotivated, but I need to muster my energy to encourage and assist those people I can to make a difference in the lives of those we meet. April Showers bring May Flowers.

Why Blogging?

Why Blogging?

The link above is a blog entry from Ann Davis on her rationale for blogging and the responses posted to the entry. I think this is a good entry point for our folks as we begin a study group around 21st century literacy this spring. Anne's blog is at http://anne.teachesme.com/

Taking advantage of Special Needs kids....again!!

I just read the latest federal update to Special Education law regarding de-certification of students receiving services. Check it out here:
http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/consent-fedregs-109.htm.
Basically, if a parent puts into writing that he/she no longer wishes that his/her child receives services, the providing agency will cease provision. No due process hearing, no impartial, no final IEP meeting. The school will simply put in writing that they will cease provision of said services.

In the perfect world, this seems logical. In the perfect world parents are the first teachers and in the perfect world parents always know what is best for their children. Unfortunately, I don't live in that world. I live in a world where the parents often look to the school to ensure that their child is being treated fairly and getting what he/she needs to be successful at school. I live in a world where parents face many many challenges themselves and despite their best intentions, can't always do what is best for their children. I live in a world where parents can be manipulated by authority figures to make decisions that may not be in the best interest of their children.

I feel that this is another attempt to take advantage of the most challenged members of our society. Once again, I believe it comes down to money. It's expensive to educate these kids who, have special needs. It's difficult to find instructional strategies that will benefit them. It's rough going working with these "crazy kids". Teaching is not for wimps.