Charles Beams On (07 Sep 96) was overheard to say to All
 I know you are only passing this on Chuck but this is one of the
 times that I think Shanker really has his head up his arse
 CB> The changes the House made today in the Individuals with Disabilities
 CB> Education Act (IDEA) will begin to untie teachers hands.
 The changes made will help school districts to further degrade
 services to disabled children - has nothing to do with what classroom
 teachers can or can not do.
 CB> legislation promises teachers the help they need to deal with disabled
 CB> students who are chronically disruptive, violent, or who bring drugs
 CB> or weapons to school.
 And what help would that be....going to force the admins to do their
 jobs??  And...I strongly resent, as I'm sure many others do, his
 imputation that only disabled students are chronically disruptive etc
 etc.  If that was not his intent then he's a lousy communicator!
 CB> It also includes an important provision that
 CB> would permit general education teachers to participate in each childs
 CB> IEP, or individualized education plan. Teacher input is crucial when
 CB> deciding the most appropriate placement and services  for disabled
 CB> students.
 If a child is receiving services from a general ed teacher, that
 teacher has always been a member of the IEP committee - it's been the
 law since 94-142 was passed in 1974.  If the child is NOT in a
 general ed class for any part of the school day then what possible
 input can a general ed teacher have???  I wonder if any of the
 general ed folks here feel qualified to provide meaningful input to the
 IEP process for a SPH/SPD child..
 CB> The AFT is pleased that the bill also eliminates some of the current
 CB> incentives to litigate disputes unnecessarily.
 Protections for children with disabilities are being gutted in the
 name of the almighty dollar!
 CB> Teachers, parents and the American public want high standards for
 CB> achievement and discipline.  The reauthorization of  IDEA will help
 CB> that goal become a reality by making it a more flexible and fairer law
 CB> for all children in public schools.
 What Albert doesn't seem to understand AT ALL is that IDEA does not,
 never did, and was not intended to apply to _all_ children in public
 schools!
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