What do you think school will be like in the fall? UPDATE page 29 for Mass.

[DisneyJamieCA]

Just read the Dis.

I do. That doesn’t change my experience being different.

Both require specialized attention and neither should get the shaft. But that DOES include gifted children.

 

[Colleen27]

I find it disturbing that there is often so much support for making sure gifted and honors-level students get the specialized instruction they are entitled to, while at the same time there is often so little support for making sure special ed students get the support they are legally entitled to.

I think that is, in part, a reaction to the fact that there are legal mandates that ensure (or attempt to ensure) that special ed kids get the support they need, while programs serving gifted and honors-level students are not legally required in most places and therefore tend to be first on the chopping block (along with the arts) whenever the schools are under stress.

 

[barkley]

Not right now... but part of the whole 5G cellular/wireless project is the ability to bring high speed internet to rural areas. This is what they tell the FCC anyway. Won't be for a year or more probably...but just saying there are plans to get high speed data to them.

i will be fascinated to see how this is accomplished.

i'm rural. because of existing decades old contracts between government agencies with then landline phone companies to plow hundreds of thousands into providing landlines-i only have one option for internet which is lacking at best. i can't complain too much though, at least i have access. my neighbors who have bought/built since about 7 years ago can't get landline or internet through the same company (not cost effective on the company's part to extend the lines) which is a legal sole monopoly. cell providers (cell service is spotty at best here) charge hundreds upon hundreds of dollars a month for internet hot spot services (only neighbors who opt in are those whose employers pay for it).

if the 5g providers can figure out some way to get around the mountain terrain that blocks cell signals and the rock base terrain that prevents in ground lines-awesome b/c i would love to receive so much as more than 1 bar of cellular service anywhere within 3 miles of my home.

 

[godisney14]

Delete

 

[CarolAnn856]

I do. That doesn’t change my experience being different.

Both require specialized attention and neither should get the shaft. But that DOES include gifted children.

I absolutely agree. I just find that many people think it’s perfectly fine for kids in special ed to get left behind in this at-home situation, but the minute taking away opportunities for gifted kids comes up (it shouldn’t, no argument there), that’s what gets people riled up. BOTH deserve the education that’s appropriate for them. It just often seems like usually only teachers and parents of special ed kids defend special ed, whereas a wider range of people defend gifted / honors.

 

[CarolAnn856]

I think that is, in part, a reaction to the fact that there are legal mandates that ensure (or attempt to ensure) that special ed kids get the support they need, while programs serving gifted and honors-level students are not legally required in most places and therefore tend to be first on the chopping block (along with the arts) whenever the schools are under stress.

True, but I also have often seen people refuse to acknowledge that kids in special ed have a right to what they need. It’s inherently an issue of a lack of proper funding for the needs of ALL students.

I don’t know if you are aware, but gifted kids are often entitled to what is commonly called a Gifted IEP, laying the legal foundation for an appropriate education for them. I wish thus was taken advantage of more frequently.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I absolutely agree. I just find that many people think it’s perfectly fine for kids in special ed to get left behind in this at-home situation, but the minute taking away opportunities for gifted kids comes up (it shouldn’t, no argument there), that’s what gets people riled up. BOTH deserve the education that’s appropriate for them. It just often seems like usually only teachers and parents of special ed kids defend special ed, whereas a wider range of people defend gifted / honors.

Fair enough. I will say there were plenty of us on here though who were horrified by the discussion of “centers” for special ed kids.

I will admit to my personal experience guiding my comment. Our elementary school has a wonderful SDC program, so I get to see how it can work when done right. On the flip side, GATE is only 4/5/6, half day, one day a week, one semester and they’re bused off-site for it. There is zero support in the classroom for that. In my area (not just my school), it seems to be forgotten that gifted kids are still on the “extra needs” spectrum.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

True, but I also have often seen people refuse to acknowledge that kids in special ed have a right to what they need. It’s inherently an issue of a lack of proper funding for the needs of ALL students.

I don’t know if you are aware, but gifted kids are often entitled to what is commonly called a Gifted IEP, laying the legal foundation for an appropriate education for them. I wish thus was taken advantage of more frequently.

Because I actually hadn’t heard of this, I just checked. It isn’t in my state. Gifted programs are not required and only partially state funded. So when districts won’t cover the cost, you get what it looks like for us. Too bad because I absolutely would have pushed for that.

 

[CarolAnn856]

I’m so sorry for everyone who has to fight for their child’s appropriate education. It simply should not be that way.

 

[godisney14]

A little off topic from the recent academic discussion. But, I’ve read in the local social media that one private school and a gym are saying that they will by using germicidal UV light wands to disinfect high touch common areas. Just as a FYI to everyone who has thought about this form of disinfectant, know that briefly going over areas with a portable small UVC light is insufficient.
You need very high wattage UV lamps set on for an extended period of time to be effective.
And UV light does not penetrate layers of grease/dirt, nor does it disinfect hidden areas.

 

[dismom58]

True, but I also have often seen people refuse to acknowledge that kids in special ed have a right to what they need. It’s inherently an issue of a lack of proper funding for the needs of ALL students.

I don’t know if you are aware, but gifted kids are often entitled to what is commonly called a Gifted IEP, laying the legal foundation for an appropriate education for them. I wish thus was taken advantage of more frequently.

I am just curious about your comment, I work at a middle school in s fla and we happen to be a 5 core gifted center and a see center for asd both are required by our district to have an iron for see or ep for gifted on file and renewed regularly! I was under the impression this is the law federally! Your school doesn’t do gifted ep’s with parent meetings support and goals?

 

[dismom58]

I am just curious about your comment, I work at a middle school in s fla and we happen to be a 5 core gifted center and a see center for asd both are required by our district to have an iron for see or ep for gifted on file and renewed regularly! I was under the impression this is the law federally! Your school doesn’t do gifted ep’s with parent meetings support and goals?

Let me clarify auto correct makes me nuts sorry we are a exceptional student education center for autism and those students each have an individual education plan! (Hopefully my above comments make sense now)

 

[daisy2013]

True, but I also have often seen people refuse to acknowledge that kids in special ed have a right to what they need. It’s inherently an issue of a lack of proper funding for the needs of ALL students.

I don’t know if you are aware, but gifted kids are often entitled to what is commonly called a Gifted IEP, laying the legal foundation for an appropriate education for them. I wish thus was taken advantage of more frequently.

gift education plans may be a state level law but it is not federal and not in all states. I am and education/special education lawyer and it is not available in the states I am licensed. There are students who are twice exceptional in that they are gifted but also have a learning or other disability that prevents them from accessing their education. They can have an iep but because of the disability and not the gifted side.

 

[daisy2013]

Let me clarify auto correct makes me nuts sorry we are a exceptional student education center for autism and those students each have an individual education plan! (Hopefully my above comments make sense now)

They have ieps because they have autism not because they are gifted. Idea and section 504 are the usual federal laws in play for ieps or 504 plans depending on the needs of the individual kid.

 

[dismom58]

gift education plans may be a state level law but it is not federal and not in all states. I am and education/special education lawyer and it is not available in the states I am licensed. There are students who are twice exceptional in that they are gifted but also have a learning or other disability that prevents them from accessing their education. They can have an iep but because of the disability and not the gifted side.

Thank you for the explanation is state level my ese coordinator always says it’s the law so I presumed federal since that is where our grants are from! And yes we also have dual students our asd kids have truly remarkable almost savant singular abilities in some areas! I understand the needs seem conflicted but except for the very low functioning non verbal most of our students are in regular classes with support, either para or some of our slp carry teacher license and do support by co teaching

 

[mjkacmom]

It might be necessary to eliminate the various tracks for the short term. Advanced students could be given extra work to do on their own.

But what about older kids? My kids are going to be seniors, applying to colleges. Is my daughter supposed to teach herself AP BC calculus herself? AP microeconomics (which she knows nothing about). AP Spanish literature (her 6th year of Spanish)? In high school there are several age groups in some classes. Kids take algebra in 7th, or 8th, or 9th, or 10th. Keep in mind that scoring 4’s or 5’s on AP exams usually count as college credit, even if just electives, saving thousands of dollars. Classes would have to be taught on the lowest level, many have passed that level years ago.

 

[piccolopat]

That is great for you. Truly. But I'm going to say that talking to friends across the country, you are in the minority here. We have all made the best of it. That isn't the same as working. Yeah, that won't work. Nor should it. Punishing gifted/above grade level students isn't fair. They spend most of their elementary years that way.

I agree but know that many school districts eliminated a separate honors track years ago in favor of mainstreaming everyone into the same class. Other than some AP classes, there is no honors program in our schools here in upstate NY. At a school district in NJ where my sister taught, everyone was in one class including special ed kids that required personal aides for other than physical disabilities. I personally believe that separating kids by ability is a better practice. I was only suggesting this as a temporary measure as it might help with the social distancing problem that having kids change classes in crowded hallways creates.

 

[piccolopat]

But what about older kids? My kids are going to be seniors, applying to colleges. Is my daughter supposed to teach herself AP BC calculus herself? AP microeconomics (which she knows nothing about). AP Spanish literature (her 6th year of Spanish)? In high school there are several age groups in some classes. Kids take algebra in 7th, or 8th, or 9th, or 10th. Keep in mind that scoring 4’s or 5’s on AP exams usually count as college credit, even if just electives, saving thousands of dollars. Classes would have to be taught on the lowest level, many have passed that level years ago.

Perhaps those AP classes can be done remotely for the time being. As I indicated to another PP, this was a suggestion to keep kids out of crowded hallways during period changes when we need to promote social distancing. It is not ideal and certainly not for the long term.

 

[kymom99]

For students with both IEPs and health issues that would prevent them from returning to school right away, could teachers be deployed to their homes? My mom is still receiving her PT at home and has a home health aide at night since both are considered essential services. Could we do the same with any willing teachers? Of course they would need some special training and PPE.

Under normal circumstances, yes. But I wouldn’t go to someone’s home during a pandemic.

 

[mom2rtk]

I find it disturbing that there is often so much support for making sure gifted and honors-level students get the specialized instruction they are entitled to, while at the same time there is often so little support for making sure special ed students get the support they are legally entitled to.

Then you don't really understand the issues the truly gifted kids are dealing with. It's not just about them being smart. Their minds are wired differently and have a unique set of needs and challenges. Gifted kids don't just sail through class with parents demanding separate classes for their little genius to outshine everyone else. Many gifted kids flounder without trained, understanding staff to help them succeed in a school setting.