SB 850 The year of the "PLSA's" ~ Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts & No More WORTHLESS High School Diplomas!

Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts

~The money is going to go to Parents who have REJECTED FAPE??? 
Are you kidding me? 
What most Parents of Students with Disabilities want IS FAPE!! Parents prepare as best they can to go to IEP meetings prepared to help their Child get the Support & Services they know their Child needs, then the FIGHT BEGINS!!! Parents have to learn how to Advocate and do a quick-study to be almost like a lawyer for their child at what begins the gut wrenching IEP meetings. Expecting and hoping to just get a well written IEP that MAKES SENSE!! Especially for our Children with the most significant learning challenges.

I WOULD NEVER REJECT A FREE AND APPROPRIATE EDUCATION for my Children!!!...but the District can FIGHT ME TOOTH AND NAIL at every meeting! Just t FIGHT ME in Due Process, State Complaints and OCR Complaints and say that these Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts will be going to those Parents that REJECTED FAPE at their Public School. 

Public Education for ESE across the State should stop playing the absolute pure nonsense games and trickery that goes on at too many "THE IEP TEAM" Meetings. Schools need to provide Parents and the students rights to IDEA....without so much fighting and fussin and going to court over...oh goodness this stuff makes me angry!

As an Advocate for 12 years, listening to way too many phone calls from hurt and frustrated parents calling to tell me what was or wasn't happening to their child and what is going on at their child's school

What happened to me personally, as a parent wanting to help my daughter get a good education.~
~ I didn't reject FAPE!!! 
~ I rejected the LOW EXPECTATIONS from staff and teachers at her new Middle School.
~ I rejected the BAD PLACEMENT the school wanted for my child.
~ I rejected the idea of EXCLUDING her from ever sitting in General Education Classroom again. 
~ I rejected DENYING her right to her STEM Class, which they all knew was her FAVORITE CLASS!
~ I rejected the schools out-dated practices.
~ I rejected the IEP TEAM that seemed to have the Districts Blessings to PUSH & BULLY me thru 10 IEP meeings in a 7 month time span! 
~ I rejected their idea to FORCE my child off receiving a Standard Diploma at Graduation!
~ I rejected the STRESS it was causing to our entire family.
~ I rejected the hurt it caused to my daughter.
~ I rejected the PURE NONSENSE and the unfriendly staff that was out to TAKE AWAY from my daughter's education.

It's really sad when families feel they are being forced out of the Public School System and "FAPE", because IDEA is NOT always provided! So if it's not being provided anyway...if a family decides to homeschool or enroll in a Private school, what are they walking away from...really? The McKay Scholarship has been a GIFT for us to find a school where we felt welcomed and my children feels VALUED & RESPECTED!

There are schools that provide a RICH QUALITY EDUCATION that provides for the Whole Child and that includes the Family too! Making families feel welcomed and including them in educational decisions shouldn't have to be a fight.  

If we hadn't filed for our INTENT to use the McKay Funds during a certain time period then the PLSA/Personal Learning Scholarship Account would be available. Not all Parents can access the McKay Funds for whatever reason. So the PLSA's are going to help those children.

Parents want to TRUST Schools & Teachers to do the right things and provide IDEA at the very least. 

Quoted from: 
JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK, TIMES STAFF WRITER
Blog: The Gradebook

Special education advocates offer different perspective on Florida voucher plan.

"However, on the last day, many of the terms recommended by CEES that had been included in the vastly different versions of this voucher bill for the entire Session evaporated in one amendment placed on a totally different bill. The new bill (SB 850) would greatly benefit some parents and students while potentially injuring the ability for others to receive the services they deserve and leading to predictable fraud and abuse. A total of $18.4 million was allocated to provide these new services, primarily to students whose parents had already rejected receiving FAPE through their public schools. More than six times the “new” money was allocated for these vouchers than was provided as an increase for the ESE Guaranteed Allocation."

http://www.tampabay.com/resources/documents
The organization had other concerns, not often heard, on issues including funding, diplomas and testing.~ Read the full summary here./2014/06/Final_CEES_2014_Session_Report__3_.pdf

SESSION OVERVIEW
http://www.tampabay.com/resources/documents/2014/06/Final_CEES_2014_Session_Report__3_.pdf

Inspire Inclusion By Dr. Julie Causton ~ VIDEO #2: Legal Aspects of Inclusive Education

Inspire Inclusion

Video #2: Legal Aspects of Inclusive Education Dr. Julie Causton 

http://www.inspireinclusion.com/video-2-legal-aspects-of-inclusive-education/ HERE

IDEA Supplementary Aides & Services Check List to take to IEP meetings! HERE

http://www.inspireinclusion.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/checklist_full.pdf HERE

I am thankful for and inspired to share with you one of the Top Experts in supporting Inclusion for ALL students into neighborhood schools & classrooms they would attend if they didn't have a disability! ~ Dr. Julie Causton

Her Video's and website are JAMMED PACKED with the tools needed to Advocate for our Children to be provided an Inclusive Education. Sign up to receive more useful resources Dr. Julie Causton provides!

This is the Meat & Potatoes!!!!
Have a Great Day!
Pass it on!! 

Nancy and Mariah
321 Fun ~ Mariah's Life!

* OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ~ A Due Process for an IEE in Broward County 5/21/14

Who wants to sit in on a Live DUE PROCESS HEARING to LEARN the "PROCESS" of a Due Process? A Due Process with a ALJ / Administrative Law Judge for an IEE / Independent Evaluation in Broward County. 

A Broward Mom has requested for it to be OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Let me know! Come and LEARN the "Process" of an IEE Due Process at 9AM - May 21st, 2014.

The Hearing site is on Commercial Blvd. South side of Commercial Blvd West of 95 at: 
1400 W. Commercial Blvd. Fort Lauderdale

This below address was not the correct place for today's meeting. 
(*The 'game played' on that is another blog story!) 
This below address is where Due Process Meetings could be held, so I am keeping the address listed on the blog for future reference.

Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims 
Building I 
Suite 200 (2nd Floor at top of the Stairs)
4500 N. State Rd. 7 
Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33319
(954) 714-3400 Ext. 111

Let me know if you will be there for the hearing!! 
Great Learning Opportunity to learn the PROCESS of a DUE PROCESS.

Is this the SB 1108 Parent Signature for DIPLOMA OPTION that Parents have to sign YES or NO?

Appendix C
Florida Department of Education 
Parental Consent Form/Prior Written Notice 
Instruction in the State Standards Access Points Curriculum and 
Florida Alternate Assessment Administration

SB 1108 Parent Signs off on DIPLOMA OPTION click here
http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/studentsupport/ese/PDF/ParentConsent%20FAA_AccessPoints_Eng.pdf

1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY ~ Student with Down syndrome found dead in the 'schools backyard' pond!

RIP Jenny!!!! Your Drowning on a Middle School Campus will not be in vain. Your Drowning in the 'pond' out in the backyard of your school will hopefully help lead the way to ACCOUNTABILITY for the SAFETY & WELL BEING OF ALL CHILDREN and TRAINING of all school staff! Prayers to your family, friends, classmates and teachers today! Click below highlighted link to the Tampa Bay News article:
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/school-in-shock-after-riverview-girls-drowning/1257915

I have written several blog posts about Jenny Caballero since her drowning this last year, because Jenny represents students with Down syndrome and Students with Disabilities across the entire State of Florida! TRAINING must take place to keep our children SAFE! 
http://www.ds-advocate.blogspot.com/2013/09/jennifer-caballero-you-drowning-in-pond.html

Jennifer Caballero ~ You drowning in the pond behind Rogers Middle School last October 2012 in Riverview, Florida will not be in vain!

Jennifer Caballero ~ You drowning in the pond behind Rogers Middle School last October 2012 in Riverview, Florida will not be in vain! Your beautiful LIFE was for a reason! God doesn't make mistakes! Was it to help get EVERYONE TALKING about ESE "ISSUES" ~ which are many throughout the entire State of Florida. Will your tragic and senseless drowning around this time last year, will it make better changes at how students like you are TREATED IN SCHOOL? Will your death help with getting QUALITY TRAINING for those hired to work as ESE 1:1 Para Professional Aides? I HOPE SO!! 

Jennifer Caballero ~ thinking of you and your family today!! Prayers to your mom & dad!!!

Oct 23, 2012 ... RIVERVIEW — An 11-year-old girl with Down syndrome who ... Jennifer Caballero, who went by Jenny and whose mother held her in her arms...http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/girl-with-down-syndrome-found-dead-near-riverview-school/1257809 Click to read full story.

Oct 24, 2012 ... RIVERVIEW Jennifer Caballero hid under the bleachers, away from her ... A teacher saw Jennifer — an 11-year-old girl with Down syndrome ...
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/school-in-shock-after-riverview-girls-drowning/1257915 
Click to read full story.

I live in Broward and if Hillsborough County Public Schools runs like Broward Public School District, you can bet NOBODY "downtown" wants to be accountable for actions that could and should have prevented the death of Jennifer, a little girl with Down syndrome. 

Are schools with WATER nearby....are the FENCES checked on a regular basis? I don't care what school district, what matters is the SAFETY OF ALL STUDENTS no matter what!!

I too am a parent to a wonderful daughter with Down syndrome and I know first hand that the support of a GOOD 1:1 Para "Professional" is everything!! TRAINING is everything when it comes to staff working with students with a disability, most are not trained or even 'collaborating' with the parents, who KNOW everything about the student they are HIRED to work with 5 days a week! ~ EVERYONE IS AT FAULT for Jenny's death! 

If the good character of the Brand New Assistant Principal, Mr. Livingston is what they are trying to point out, I can support that and all that he was overseeing...if it's true about his 'requests or CONCERNS' for things that needed to be done. Absolutely the DISTRICT Adminstrators and the different departments, the maintenance department that oversee that ALL the schools are SAFE!! That would include MAKING SURE FENCES SURROUNDING PONDS are secure and able to prevent children from DROWNING in those ponds that are within feet of the schools. Over the SUMMER Break....wouldn't it be safe to say that such SAFETY CHECKS would be ongoing without the school building Assistant Principal needing to even put in a 'request' for a full inspection of the campus for SAFETY of ALL STUDENTS! 

What is wrong with this that everyone wants to blame or ruin the full and future career of this one man, if he if found to be of good character and WAS CONCERNED with 'things' on his new campus. I would like to know more about Mr. Livingston as a leader and his background pertaining to ESE students, he sounds like her was chosen for his new position because he was what Rogers Middle School needed! 

I would like to know why the heck any and all 1:1 Para Professional Aides are not doing their jobs with caring for the individuals they are hired and receiving a pay check each week to KEEP SAFE and like Mr. Livingston said, ...."the aides need to be ENGAGED with their students"......absolutely....the teacher should have demanded that the ESE Aides DO THEIR JOBS of working with the students they were assigned to work with! 

Mr. Livingston, I am sorry you are caught in the crossfire when those that work "downtown" should be on the stand with you and held accountable for so many things, training of the Aides, fences being in good repair, teachers making sure the ESE Aides are ENGAGING with the student they are assigned to keep safe!!! 

The Building Maintenance department...what do their logs and records have about the repairs needed at that school to keep ALL STUDENTS SAFE?!!! 

Jennifer Caballero ~ Your death will not be forgotten or in vain! Because of your senseless drowning out behind your new Middle School...I am praying that ESE students like you are treated with RESPECT and Educated with School Staff that ENGAGE with their student and that all Public School Employees make sure to keep all students safe!

Listed below are a few news articles;

Aug 6, 2013 ... The assistant principal of Rodgers Middle School, fired in the aftermath of the death of a special-needs student, was before the Hillsborough ...
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/rodgers-middle-school-firing-is-revisited/2135022

Gov. Scott to sign bill that improves special needs education, allows ...
Jun 28, 2013 ... Gov. Rick Scott is set to sign a bill making big changes to the way special education is run in Florida.
http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_tampa/gov-scott-to-sign-bill-that-improves-special-needs-education-allows-parents-to-be-more-involved

Steve Moyer: Broward County School Board's top priority must be the kids

Steve Moyer: Broward County School Board's top priority must be the kids

"...the dysfunction that exists in the Exceptional Student Education Department, and the legal department that supports them. While the district has an anti-bully policy regarding students, the ESE and legal department has free rein to bully the families of ESE students at will. The department uses the district's well-oiled and taxpayer-funded inhouse legal firm to support the denial of mandated services, trample civil rights and take the path of least resistance in what, for some students, is little better than babysitting."

"The School Board refuses to see this failure and supports the status quo as the path of least resistance. They may address problems individually, but refuse to act systemically citing "school-based management" as an excuse for their inability to take action."

"The ESE Department continues their habit of quoting non-existent policy or factual inaccuracies in the hope that repetition will make them correct, all the while forgetting that they exist only to serve the students."


READ FULL ARTICLE by clicking on this link: 
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/fl-readers-view-school-board-20130221,0,1615516.story#tugs_story_display


BROWARD SCHOOL BOARD LEGAL DEPARTMENT ARE THE BULLIES AND DON'T CARE ABOUT EDUCATION OF STUDENTS! 

The legal department takes advantage of GOOD PARENTS trying to make sure their child is being EDUCATED. Then the school doesn't talk to you, because your Child's IEP Document is now in a "STAY-PUT." Teachers give minimal collaboration in the first place, but certainly ONCE A PARENT FILES for a DUE PROCESS or FILES A COMPLAINT.....any collaboration that was barely there in the first place stops! 

Broward schools is only interested in taking our Children's ESE MATRIX FUNDS! EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY THEIR CHILD "BRINGS INTO THE DISTRICT"....so they know how much our Children are being taken advantage of not only by NOT EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN, but by STEALING THE FUNDS THAT ARE MEANT TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN!

Go on VIRTUAL COUNSELOR and be sure to know what your Child's MATRIX NUMBER IS, that number correlates to a DOLLAR AMOUNT....a good amount  chunk of change $$dollar$$ amount! 

Parents should know and find out what the MATIX FUND dollar $$ amount is WORTH for your Child! Those MATRIX FUNDS, the District USES and then DENIES ESE SERVICES & SUPPORT to our Children that need it.

It is Disgusting to me the amount of LIES so many PROFESSIONALS will do, just to keep their JOBS! It's not about education anymore, it's absolutely about STEALING THE MATRIX FUNDING OUR ESE STUDENTS BRING INTO A DISTRICT! 

BROWARD HAS GOT TO BE THE LEADER IN WASTEFUL ESE MATRIX FUND SPENDING!

The ESE Department does NOT CARE ABOUT THE ESE STUDENTS EDUCATION and absolutely does not care about the ESE parents 'voice!' The ESE Department is glad, in fact ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO FILE, they "dare you to file!!"...and then when parents "FILE", then their "partners" aka the LEGAL DEPARTMENT takes over the ESE Parent BULLYING!! 

The ESE Department and the Legal Department in Broward Schools need a complete transformation of employees! They all cover each others backs, they all want to keep their jobs....on the backs of many many deserving students needing Exceptional Student Education SERVICES & SUPORTS!

My recommendation to ESE PARENTS ~ FILE FILE FILE help make it be known that your child is not getting ESE Services & Supports that you as a parent know your child needs and should be getting at the Public School your child attends.

ESE PARENTS

Just Do It!

FILE A COMPLAINT!

FILE FOR A DUE PROCESS!

READ FULL ARTICLE by clicking on this link: 
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/fl-readers-view-school-board-20130221,0,1615516.story#tugs_story_display

As My ESE World Turns in Broward Public Schools

As My ESE World Turns 

in Broward Public Schools

My Daughter's CIVIL RIGHTS ARE BEING VIOLATED and her Public School Education has become what the ESE Department & the LEGAL Department of our Broward Public School District wants it to be!

I am amazed at how much EVERYONE LIES!! Those that work for Broward County Public Schools have taught or are teaching my daughter! Teachers that I thought cared, care more about keeping their steady paycheck instead of telling the truth under oath! District level Program Specialist who's only real job duty today is...to make sure the "IEP TEAM" does what the ESE Department Administrators want to have happen at a particular IEP 'team' meeting. 

It does not amaze me about ESE Specialist and what they do, cause they have always done whatever they were told to do...they are the Tiny Robots just doing what they are programmed to do...they do as they are instructed! They are the good workers of parent manipulation! The ESE Specialist are the ones doing what they are told to do, they can't help it...they love their jobs! They need that paycheck!! They are the best at being robot like when dealing with ESE Parents! They are good at it too!! I have only met ONE that was 'human' and seemed to care....and that was only because she was new at her job! I don't care how 'nice' an ESE Specialist acts, they are the ones that have to carry out what the ESE Department instructs and demands of them to do!....if they want to keep their jobs!

Do you have AREA PROGRAM SPECIALISTS or now called DISTRICT PROGRAM SPECIALISTS attending and sitting in at everyone of your IEP meetings? It is hoped that this person should know IDEA and the State & Local Laws very well. I have found there are some really Intelligent & Smart Program Specialist that can really be helpful with knowing the Laws and the implications when something is about to change during an IEP meeting. Now it seems there are sometimes two Program Specialist attending our IEP meetings. I have had the pleasure of working with one of the most amazing Program Specialist during my daughter's elementary school years. Definitely needs to be more of the 'good ones' attending our Children's IEP meetings. When one is 'sent' by the ESE Department, a switch out of the one that normally attends your IEP meetings, that almost always smells of trouble on the horizon! Program Specialist can make or break your good intentions when putting together a quality IEP for your Child....because they have the 'final say-so' at the table.  

PARENT LIAISONS ~ Ever heard of a Parent Liaison that was ACTUALLY FOR THE PARENTS CONCERNS? Not in Broward County Florida! That job is given to the one that has the most hardened heart of them all. That person in no way acts in anyway for the parent but most certainly is the final ax when it comes to anything a Parent is trying to add to or help their Child's Individual Education Plan via the IEP 'team' process. This person can do much of their work via a few emails without anyone really noticing, they are also doing what their 'job' requires them to do. Get the job done no matter what!...oh and as an added bonus to their job status, go ahead and piss the parents off as much as you possibly can! "What a Job!" 

I am amaZed at the Total Disregard for the Educational Rights of our Children Today! It's all about how much $$MONEY$$ they 'gleen' from our babies and then not provide a REAL EDUCATION that leads to an Academic Diploma aka the High School Diploma ~ Academic Track. It doesn't amaze me today how bad it has become in not being able to have our Children's IEP Documents written in such a way that even the parent would fully agree to what has been written into their Child's IEP. Instead today it's about the District by way of ESE Support Robots...they attend IEP meeting to do what the District is trying to shove down our throat this time. 

*ESE Parents..."the LESS THAN 1%" out there not happy with 'things'...y'all need to FILL THE ROOM at the KC Wright School Board Building downtown. The mirrored glass building across from the County Courthouse. Starting tog on the corner of SE 3rd Ave. and SE 6th St tomorrow...and continuing to attend the School Board Meetings on a regular basis. Our Voice needs to be hear...in numbers. Not just the same couple of parents, but all of us! 

OUR SCHOOLBOARD MEMBERS ~ They were ALL VOTED IN their positions! When I hear a few of them Speak....I am sickened by how much they have changed so quickly after being VOTED into their positions. They can just as quickly be VOTED OUT!

I am an ESE Parent Not Happy with How Things are Going ~ I Am the Less Than 1%

It is time to stand up for what is right!

2/5/13 Broward School Board Meeting ~ ESE Parents Speaking Out

BECON-TV Video
M_02-05-2013 

Entire Broward Public School Board Meeting held on Tuesday Feb. 5th, 2013. Several ESE Parents Speaking out at the 2/5/13 School board meeting starts at 116. on the video. 

ESE REFORM is needed now!

Please share this video!

Steps 4 Change is needed now!

https://becon223.eduvision.tv/Default.aspx?q=IsahXh4JBPSXSCmY0VGDVg%253d%253d#

"NEW ESE THINGS" ~ Can District ESE Departments really do these?

My post today is to inform and educate ESE PARENTS and the Public on things.....today it's about a few of the "NEW ESE THINGS" that are of great concern to me....and should be a concern to others as well!!

Excerpt taken from:
Exceptional Student Education
ESE Advisory Council
Report to DAC - District Advisory Council
October 10th, 2012

To read the entire report click on this link:
http://www.browardadvisory.org/agendas-minutes
Look at the top of the list for: 
121114 DAC Nov Agenda Packet.pdf

The Advisory is currently examining the changes in the IEP documentaion: namely closing out the IEP goals prior to the meeting of the Annual IEP, elimination of signatures on the IEP document, elimination of the names of participants at the IEP, the elimination of the Title "Advocate": on the IEP document. Titles of participants still appear on the IEP. ESE parents have expressed concerns that these changes do not help the collaborative process between the parents and the schools and that the general population of ESE parents were not 
informed of these changes.

The ESE Parent Exit Survey has been drafted by the Advisory Committee is currently being reviewed by the Department of Research and Evaluation for future distribution to ESE parents at the end of their child's IEP. Data will be examined to review any areas of the IEP process that may need improvement or reform.

.....I'm just curious WILL THE ESE PARENTS be "manning this EXIT Survey?" Will it be anonymous? 

Excerpt taken from:
Report to School Board Meeting
ESE Advisory Council Meetings
School Board of Broward County
November 7th, 2012
K.C.Wright Building, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Parents have expressed great concerns and disagreed with the changes to the IEP that was put into place without proper notification to our ESE parents. 

These changes include the following:

a.) Elimination of any IEP team discussion with the parent concerning the mastery of goals, unless the parent "requests" such a discussion for a given goal at their Annual IEP. Parents will not be afforded the opportunity at the Annual IEP to review current data that supports any decision concerning the mastery or revision of goals on the previous IEP.
b.) Elimination of names and signatures of attendees at the IEP's
c.) Elimination of the title "Advocate" as a category for an invited person to the IEP.

While these changes may be legal, the question to ask is will it promote collaboration between a school and a parent when such changes only create further questions of school accountability. 

Click here for direct link to website with this public information. Click this link to the District Advisory Council aka DAC website for Broward Schools, click her to read the entire report click:

http://www.browardadvisory.org/agendas-minutes

Look at the top of the list for:

12114 DAC Nov Agenda Packet.pdf

Are these ESE Parental Concerns something that the general population really even cares about? Probably not. Unless you are an ESE Parent on the receiving end of some of these "NEW ESE THINGS" that are being presented at the ESE Advisory Council and reported about at the District School Board meetings, these "NEW ESE THINGS" can and do go quietly UNNOTICED by the General Population of "parents & school board members".!! UNLESS as I said, you are an ESE Parent or Student on the receiving end of some of these NEW & IMPROVED way that the "NEW ESE THINGS" are being done here in our school district.

Just wanted to inform and educate the general population that the "NEW ESE THINGS" that are NOW taking place. I believe this is all WRONG anyway you look at it!!

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My Due Process Final Orders Online ~ 12-3961E Filed 12.12.12

My DUE PROCESS Final Orders online!
http://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7675/urlt/0069820-12-3961.pdf

Want to read about a few DUE PROCESS Final Orders received in Florida? 
January - June 2013 on the FDOE website.
Case Number                 District Order Date
12-3961E (PDF, 234KB) Broward February 28, 2013

12-3961E is my DUE PROCESS Final Orders, that are now PUBLIC! I will be posting the TRANSCRIPTS too!

To read other DUE PROCESS Final Orders between Jan.-June 2013 in Florida click this link:
http://www.fldoe.org/academics/exceptional-student-edu/dispute-resolution/due-process-hearing-orders/2013.stml
This is the OLD DEAD LINK that was listed on the FDOE website that is now a dead link. I think the FDOE does this every so often to create dead links to documents. http://www.fldoe.org/ese/due-order.asp

In order to fully understand what all the original issues and concerns were and my reason for filing such a long laundry list of IEP/ESE concerns and ultimately led to my filing for a due process in the first place, you may want to read my original email sent to Broward County School Superintendent Robert Runcie in my previous blog post. 

It has been an absolute nightmare navigating the IEP "Process" as it is now operating in Broward Public School District today! 

Parents have had NO VOICE OR SAY-SO in the educational decisions being made for our Children at these often times, contentious and confrontational IEP meetings for our Children.

SB 1108 will create some good changes for parents at the IEP tables in Florida.

Hillsborough County School District ~ Student with Down syndrome found dead after walking off campus.

Click here for full story about JENNY in Riverview  
"Jennifer had been at the school for about six weeks, Cobbe said. She had very limited verbal skills and could speak only Spanish. Earlier in the day, she had hidden beneath the bleachers and had to be coaxed out by the physical education teacher, Cobbe said. The girl often would run away and hide when she heard strange voices so the sheriff's office had Jennifer's mother walk with searchers, calling out her daughter's name through a bullhorn. The father called other friends and relatives to make sure none had picked up the girl from school." 

She was in a class with 20 Special Needs Students with 6 (SIX) AIDES and the little girls classmates TOLD them that they saw that 'Jenny' walked away....and the SIX....1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 adult aides there to WATCH 20 STUDENTS and not one of them was WATCHING Jenny leave the area as well? Someone should have been paying better attention so they could have at least RUN AFTER HER!!!?? I can't stress enough to those that DON'T HAVE A BEAUTIFUL CHILD WITH DOWN SYNDROME HOW MUCH YOU HAVE TO WATCH our precious children 24/7! I guess with the 1:3 RATIO for that class of 20 still wasn't enough eyes for Miss Jenny!!

I have sat in on many IEP meetings for families with a child with Down syndrome, having much discussion about the need for an aide for our kiddo's. Parents concerns seem to be viewed as being overly protective or something other than a real concern of our parents for their child's safety while at school. The "IEP team professionals" that work for public school districts more often than not, want to disregard parents pleas for help to make sure their son or daughter is watched more closely because the parents KNOW their child WANDERS OFF and RUNS QUICKLY when they do wander off. Parents KNOW their child the best, parents are the EXPERTS on their child at IEP meetings. IEP meetings many times end without the parents knowing exactly who will be responsible for the safety or our children once they come to school. Many times parents are not allowed to talk or communicate with the child's aide....if they do finally get one. Parents concerns need to be taken seriously. Our children's lives depend on Adults keeping them safe!

Attending advocacy trainings with speakers telling us to make sure you get it written on the IEP about needing an Aide, but for whatever reason our Public School Districts are getting very clever to make sure parents are not able to get 'it written into the IEP document' that their child needs the support of their own aide. This is real folks, safety of ALL students when they leave home to attend school everyday is a real issue more and more today! When certain individuals with certain types of 'special needs' like Autism and Down syndrome, they are more likely to WANDER OFF or LEAVE a classroom or the school campus.

Having had to call the police on a couple of occasions myself because my sweet little girl with Down syndrome was 'missing' for more than 6 minutes was the most helpless feeling a parent should ever have to go thru. I know how blessed and lucky we were that my girl was found, but in this most recent case in Riverview, Florida with Miss Jenny....her parents worst nightmare came true.

I am so sad and so sorry for her parents, family and friends to know that Jenny will not be coming home from school today! 

Prayers to Jenny's family!! 
{{oxoxox}}

Click here for full Bay News 9 article on: Answers sought in Down syndrome girl's death

ANOTHER Broward special ed teacher probed = GOOD!!!!!

Broward special ed teacher probed
If any of this is may POSSIBLY happen and go on inside a particular SPECIAL ED CLASS just once....and we only KNOW ABOUT IT because she got caught!!! Curious to know how many times 'co-workers' told the Principal about it. You can TRUST THAT THIS SORT OF THING IS HAPPENING MORE THAN ANY OF US WOULD EVER WANT TO IMAGINE OR BELIEVE!! 

How easy is it for PARENTS of students sitting in CLUSTER CLASSROOMS to have an opportunity to come in and visit, observe, VOLUNTEER in our Children's Cluster Classrooms? Hmmmmm this would be good data to see IF ANY or HOW MANY ESE Parents are ever visiting or volunteering in Cluster or Resource Classrooms. Maybe this would help some of those teachers that are getting OLD and need to go.....those that are showing signs of verbal and physical abuse on ESE Students.

Time for our Children to have CAMERA'S IN ALL SPECIAL ED CLASSROOMS!!!

Click the link above to read the full article. 
POST A COMMENT ~ What to YOU think? 

Read the full article and tell me this allowed every day "OUR CHILDREN" go to school and we TRUST OUR SCHOOLS TO EDUCATE OUR SPECIAL ED CHILDREN IN CLUSTERS??? Get our children into MAINSTREAM classrooms and INCUDE them into REGULAR Classrooms where it's the real world...and not a 'special ed world' that this sort of nonsense goes on more than many want to admit! Parents ....pay attention and inquire, ask, request, continue to ask your Child's teacher(s)....WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION! Get daily notes home that satisify YOU, don't be satisified with the "BEHAVIOR NOTES" the schools want to provide...but request what is your Child doing ACADEMICALLY each day. Make sure you recieve daily notes home pertaining to WHAT your Child did in school that day.


"According to the administrative complaint filed in July, Cohen used "inappropriate restraints to control or manage autistic and exceptional education students" while teaching last year.

The complaint alleges Cohen told one of her students, "you're the cripple, what are you going to do, beat up the retard," referring to a student in a wheelchair.

In another instance, Cohen apparently had the class mock a student who was twirling her hair, the complaint states.

She is also accused of calling a student a "brat" for needing to use the toilet and unplugging the battery cord to a student's wheelchair and then saying, "Who has the power now? I'm the queen of this class and I have the power over you."

IEP "Teams" with NO NAMES!

Great ANOTHER THING Broward ESE Department comes up with to be Parent Friendly & it certainly seems more COLLABORATIVE during the IEP PROCESS!! NOT!!

I would HOPE now with being able to NOT HAVE TO LIST the "school district" side of our parent friendly IEP Teams Via the Parent Participation Forms aka PPF's that PARENTS also will NOT HAVE TO let them know WHO WE WILL BE BRINGING!!! ....like the Newspaper reporter friend of mine or the CAMERA MAN from any number of TV STATIONS with their RECORDING NEWS CREWS!! This could be very good for parents as well cause we too wouldn't have to put OUR NAMES ON THE PPF EITHER!!

Well this just goes to show how COMBATIVE & UNCOOPERATIVE it has become just to hold an IEP Meeting to ensure our children are EDUCATED!

Hmmmm.... will we be able to get PARENT SIGNATURES on our IEP's then?? That has always bothered me that Parents don't have to sign the IEP!! So now will we be able to get the signatures of ALL that attend? What about the EXCUSAL FORM? How do we excuse "NO NAME" IEP Team Member? This is such nonsense!!

Bet this was the brainchild from a corner office on the 9th floor of the KCW Building...always coming up with yet another way to BLOCK ESE PARENTS from having collaborative IEP Meetings. This may be another of a list of BEST PRACTICE POLICIES that can't be produced in writing to us.

BROWARD ESE DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO STOP THE UNDER-HANDED SNEAKY NONSENSE!!

How do they go to "work" day after day collecting their paychecks just to keep on keeping on with all their nonsense they "come up with" to keep THE DOORS CLOSED TIGHT ON SO MANY ESE PARENTS-FAMILIES & STUDENTS!!?

Time 4 CHANGE! The Time is NOW!!!
Time to get rid of a FLOOR full of ESE ADMINISTRATORS &amp and some of those Nasty PROGRAM SPECIALIST!!! Most are trained to FIGHT with the Parents!! Nasty some of them are for sure! 

Tell me it isn't true...that Broward ESE Department is going to get away with this......because...why...because "they can~!!?"

BE SURE & CLICK TO READ THE REPLIES & COMMENTS BELOW 

WON'T YOU POST A COMMENT TO MY BLOG POST YOU JUST READ?

Interesting reading from my followers! 

Parenting Special Needs Magazine ~ Pete & Pam Wright = WRIGHTSLAW

Great Magazine with lots of information for all of us!
Read this BIO on Pete & Pam Wright aka WRIGHTSLAW
click on the highlighted link below here:
Bios | Parenting Special Needs Magazine

Florida State Complaints Reports ~ Great Summer Read!

Here's a web link for interesting Summer time reading on all the different State Complaints from all the different Public School Districts in this wonderful Sunshine State of Florida! This one in particular is a good one, because it involves 5 students! Broward schools ESE Department is now onto other things they do to make life difficult for good parents with wonderful children! But read this one first so you know that they DO HAVE TO DO  CORRECTIVE ACTIONS every now and again like in this complaint.  Click here to read about the November 25th 2008 - February 15th, 2009 State and Federal Complaints filed on behalf of FIVE (5) students in Broward County!! click on this highlighted link: http:www.fldoe.org/ese/complaints/pdf/2009-008-RES.pdf  


STATE COMPLAINTS FILED in FLORIDA over the years
Here is the web-link to the Florida Department of Education website so you can read for yourself from school-year-to-school-year all the different State & Federal Complaints that parents file on throughout the entire State of Florida. Interesting reading for sure! What I find amazing is how our Districts 'get away' with so much nonsense complaint after complaint after complaint! click on this highlighted link:
http://www.fldoe.org/ese/complaints/default.asp


Read for yourself and tell me what you think.............


DUE PROCESS FILINGS ACROSS THE STATE of Florida
If you enjoyed reading about the different State Complaints coming out of the different Florida School Districts you will enjoy reading about the different DUE PROCESSES filed as well. Here is the direct link to all of the Due Processes filed up to the school year Jan.-June 2011. click on this highlighted link:
http://www.fldoe.org/ese/due-order.asp

Critical Shortage in Teacher Certifications LOOK SEE!

http://www.fldoe.org/arm/pdf/ctsa1213.pdf
I found this interesting information pertaining to teacher certifications. Check it out!

Florida End Of Course (EOC) Exams RESOURCE LINK

http://fcat.fldoe.org/eoc/
Got Questions about the End Of Course Exams? (EOC) 
This is the FDOE webpage to guide you so you know what's up! Enjoy!

Florida Department of Education / FAMILIES / PARENT INVOLVEMENT Resources

Great Resource link to the Florida Department of Ed for Families to be Involved in their Children's Education.
It's about INDIVIDUALIZED Education for each Child who have their own Unique Educational Needs.
Be sure to SAVE the page and research all the great links on the left and right of FLDOE.org/Families webpage. Good stuff to know!
http://www.fldoe.org/families/

~ IEP TidBit ~ GET IT IN WRITING !!!!

Thanks to Steve Moyer for this helpful "IEP TIDBIT" 

Original by Steve Moyer:

"Any time something is denied you in an IEP meeting, have the district memorialize what you asked for. Have them make it clear that they refused it and have them state the reason why they refused. Make them be very specific." 

"Get it in writing!!"

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tou6wjf3necOvo0qNKMtLwytN0flkO-FhbPrdWYjKjM/edit?pli=1

modelform2_Prior_Written_Notice.pdf 

Google Docs

docs.google.com

....and I am going to suggest you make copies of this form and take  this document  to your meetings to have 'on hand'.

Share this folks ~ with your friends that are part of IEP meetings and the 'whole IEP process'. 

DS Advocate

www.dsadvocate.com