It’s such an honor to be featured on Paula Kluth’s website! http://www.paulakluth.com/2012/09/12/website-wednesday-emilies-blog/
But it’s difficult too, because my daughter’s current education is such a mess. Here is my reply to Paula. If you’re looking for information that Paula mentioned, I recommend using the search feature on this blog.
Thanks for the shout out Paula! How exciting. You’ve always been an inspiration.
Sadly, I have to share that my wonderful daughter, after being fully included from kindergarten through 8th grade, is only able to attend school for 90 minutes a day (part of study hall and gym class).
Our district (Blissfield Community Schools, in Michigan) has decided to send Maddie to a segregated program in a different school district half an hour from our house. I’m supposed to be excited that she has the opportunity to be a slave, doing janitorial work and “mandatory volunteer” experiences. There is no specific math or reading program used. There is no access to the curriculum, the program has their own “Life Skills Cognitive Impairment Curriculum.”
The district refuses to consider multiple evaluations and independent evaluations, the law, parent input, best practices, the student’s wishes, the student’s long term goals, the student’s job interests, the student’s motivation and interests, etc.
I have pursued the complaint process through the state of Michigan, and the district and Intermediate School District have been found out-of-compliance multiple times. But the district has yet to comply with any of the corrective action plans issued by the Michigan Department of Education. At our last state-ordered IEP meeting, the district did not bring an IEP form to write on. Clearly, their “draft” was to be reviewed, not discussed.
The district’s frequent comment is “If you don’t like it, go to due process.” The right to due process only exists for parents who can afford $40,000 in attorney fees. Of course, the district has an attorney paid for by my tax dollars.
Blissfield is a great community, we love our home and have great neighbors. It’s confusing that the town is an open and welcoming community and the school district and administrators segregate, bully, and discriminate. It’s sickening.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.