Customize your Child's Special Education with Florida Personal Learning Accounts SB 5103

CS/SB 5103 
This Bill takes effect July 1st, 2014

Students with Disabilities; Establishes Florida Personal Learning Account Program to enable parents of students with disabilities to customize their child's education using wide range of instructional services; provides student eligibility, responsibilities for program participation, administration & funding of Florida Personal Learning Accounts, & DOE, nonprofit scholarship-funding organization, & school district obligations.

http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2014/5103/ByVersion

http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2014/5103/Analyses/h5103a.EDAS.PDF

PERSONAL LEARNING ACCOUNTS!
Down syndrome, Autism, Occupational Therapy, Medical Services, TUTORING, EDUCATIONAL CHOICES, Academic Services, Private Schooling. Thinking of HOMESCHOOLING? Are you already HOMESCHOOLING? Annual Evaluation, Educational Progress, HIGH ACCOUNTABILITY for how the Funds are spent! Cross Referenced with APD. Cross over with the McKay Funds. 

Watch and Hear some HEROIC MOMS provide PUBLIC TESTIMONY! 
Julie Kleffel ROCKED the House!! 
The Bill Passed!! 

This is GREAT NEWS that will mean FINANCIAL HELP to many parents raising Children with Special Needs!

*PASS IT ON SO THOSE INTERESTED KNOW ABOUT THIS EXCITING NEW BILL*
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/VideoPlayer.aspx?eventID=2443575804_2014031151&committeeID=2711 
CLICK HERE to view WARRIOR MOMS ADVOCATING FOR THEIR CHILDRENS' EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS IN SUPPORT OF PERSONAL LEARNING ACCOUNTS.

Nancy Linley-Harris Public Comment to Broward School Board members on June 11th, 2013

6/11/13 Nancy Linley-Harris 
     This is MY STORY and I have no reason to lie about what a craZy and stressful school year my daughter's Middle School had put me through! This is my speech and my Public Comment as to some of the main reasons WHY I felt my daughter would no longer be able to receive a "World Class Education" if she continued to attend a Broward County Public School.

Just 18 days prior to my speaking publicly before the school board on June 11th...I had officially withdrawn my daughter on May 24th, 2013 from Public Education in any Broward County Public School. This was not something I would have ever thought I would do. I feel I was FORCED to remove her from Broward Schools because enough was enough, there was no trust in the ESE Department anymore. I was also being forced to file a 2nd Due Process within a 7th month time period, Mariah's 6th grade school year. Personally, I believed nothing was ever going to be in Mariah's favor because of a corrupt Special Education Department, with the school based ESE Specialist probably being given permission or orders to keep moving forward with what the ESE District and/or ESE Legal staff 'wanted on Mariah's IEP'...so much had been taken away from my daughter's education via the "IEP Process."  She was forced off the regular diploma, and at each IEP meeting, school staff keep pointing the document in a direction that was leading to the most restrictive classroom placement and not including Mariah in regular classrooms any longer, except to continue to allow her to attend her STEM MAGNET Class time only in Gen ed. I told them they were nuts to think I would agree to that!! My daughter was part probably the first person with Down syndrome part of the STEM Magnet Program at Parkway Middle School in Lauderhill, Florida. 

I think the Parkway ESE staffers, (the ESE Specialist mainly) did all they (she) could to tear down my daughter's inclusive education, because they (she), I feel was given 'permission and the go-ahead' from the higher up ESE Department Administrators to do whatever they (she) could to STOP and prevent me from advocating for the Public education I thought was best for my daughter. My main concerns for my daughters Public education was that the district no longer was allowing her to be educated to earn a regular high school diploma and then Mariah was being forced out of being able to attend all regular general education classes. She has always been fully included and this school knew how important that was for me for my daughter, but none of them cared what I thought about anything pertaining to my own daughter's education. 

Mariah's READING & MATH IEP GOALS WERE  MALICIOUSLY REMOVED

Parkway Middle School can be a great school for some students especially if your Child is interested in the ARTS and loves dancing, acting or singing and if your child is Gifted and also if your Child would be suited for the STEM MAGNET Program. Parkway Middle is not a good school if your child has an IEP and needs Special Education and has Down syndrome. Especially if you're looking to have your Child fully included in with the general population of students, Parkway will hold so many IEP meetings and will make sure the IEP is not anything a parent wants by years end or sooner! 

The Intensive reading teacher and the math teacher assigned to my daughter were not teachers that should have ever been allowed to be my daughters teachers for longer than 6 weeks. Neither of them should have been allowed to have my daughter as long as they did in their classrooms! Those two teachers were more interested in showing that Mariah didn't fit in their classes and they just wanted to show my daughter as failing and telling the IEP team only negative. Those two teachers were not interested in teaching Mariah and certainly didn't care to teach her reading and math!! How disappointing to have to deal with teachers that didn't believe in your child or respect her as a wonderful student or her mother! To be honest, what a nightmare to even deal with such negative teachers not interested in helping a great student be successful in Math and Reading! It would be great if parents would be allowed to grade their children's teachers....the truth would be told about some really crappy teachers that are inflexible and closed minded to teaching diversity and teaching ALL students. What a shame they are allowed to pick and choose which students get educated or go to the 'expensive babysitting program' aka Special Education for some (MANY) ESE Students!

Parkway Middle School 'started out as a great school' for Mariah, because of the STEM Magnet Program she was in...too bad Mariah didn't get the kind of support she really needed to get more out of that program. The STEM Program is a really awesome program for ANY & ALL STUDENTS!

In my speech before Superintendent Runcie and the School board members on June 11th, 2013....I sound mad....because I was! I was mad for sure!!! I was so mad that my daughter had been pushed out of being allowed to be educated academically like I wanted for her. I was so mad at all the nonsense the ESE Specialist had put me through while my daughter attended that school. She was not a nice person to me and she was personally doing all she could to make Mariah's IEP document just the way SHE WANTED and was making sure each step of the way and each and every long drawn out IEP meeting after IEP meeting that my parent voice advocating for what I thought was right for my own child...she was a nightmare staff person without a doubt that I wouldn't wish on any parent to have to deal with!

With all the ESE Budget cut backs being talked about for the next 2013-2014 school year in Broward Public Schools, it would be my suggestion and in the best interest for students at Parkway if the ESE staff and a few teachers are hopefully those losing their jobs! They all have shone me that they absolutely do not care about students like my daughter....a student with Down syndrome. 

My daughter lost a years worth of academic education at Parkway Middle School because the ESE staff, the reading, math and language arts teachers sabotaged her legal IEP document to be written just the way they were wanted and "instructed to write it!"

This is MY STORY and I speak the truth of what happened to me and my daughter's Public education at Parkway Middle School in Lauderhill, Florida via the IEP "Process." Personally I feel what has happened to me this past school year is a form of bullying and retaliation by the corrupt ESE department very much including the school ESE staff and the Legal and Due Process Department employees.

Enough is Enough!! I WITHDREW MY DAUGHTER FROM BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ON MAY 24th, 2013 ~ This District doesn't care about teaching my daughter, teachers don't believe in her....she has Down syndrome. 

My Public Comment is MY STORY! 

Be Strong, Rock On ~ ANDREW

Nancy speaking before Broward School Board 4/23/13 pleading for help a month before withdrawing her from Public Education in Broward!

This is me speaking for the first time publically to Broward County School Board a month before I completely WITHDREW Mariah from Broward Public Education! In my speach you can see I was PLEADING for help to look into what was happening to me at Parkway Middle School via the IEP "PROCESS" here in Broward County! I also explain how Mariah wasn't even allowed to take the FCAT anymore and wasn't ever told by the schools ESE Specialist, Ms. Chiante Roundtree-Jones as to exactly when the ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT would be going on. (*the Special Needs FCAT testing) The schools ESE Specialist said, that Mariah wasn't in school on the day that the 'letter' was sent home. Instead weeks later, Mariah did bring home a letter informing us when the "regular" FCAT testing times would be going on. 

In Elementary school, Mariah had always taken the "regular" FCAT since the 3rd grade and twice in 5th grade, because I thought it would be good for Mariah to have a second year of 5th grade with the same wonderful teacher, Mr. Allagood. Mariah had always been taking the "regular" FCAT, a total of 4 times she took the FCAT before going off to 6th grade at Parkway Middle School. So this year in 6th grade, Mariah wasn't even allowed or was I ever informed when the Alternate Assessment testing dates would be given. I found out later that the Alternate to the FCAT is given to the ESE Students over a 3 week time period, whereas the regular FCAT is given over a shorter time period of just 2 weeks. Not once during the time for testing the Alternate Assessment was our family notified of this testing and it was going on for 3 whole weeks?! That in itself shows the lack of care to test and/or educate a wonderful student like Mariah! 

Mariah loves school and is a wonderful student any good teacher would be thrilled for the challenge of teaching her in a diversified classroom as they all should be today! Not all her teachers should have been chosen for her as there have been some really GREAT TEACHERS over the years and certainly Mariah has has some really lousy/rotten teachers too! More good teachers though, but the bad ones can really make life miserable for both student and parent! Her intensive reading teacher in 6th grade at Parkway Middle had no desire to really help Mariah continue with increasing her reading skills. An intensive reading teacher that only gives "F's" to a student with an IEP should be fired! Upsetting to say the least, because READING is one of the most important academic skills a student needs to learn to get an education! That reading teacher's only goal for Mariah was to show she wasn't making progress to push her into a NON-PHONICS BASED reading program the ESE Department was pushing on many of the Middle School Students, that I wanted no part of for my girl. This "curriculum" was not something I agreed to, if SB 1108 had been in place, I would have had to 'sign-off' yes or no to that curriculum. As of July 1st, 2013 that Senate Bill will be law! 

So this year, not only did my daugher, Mariah not get to take the "regular" FCAT, she also wasn't allowed to be tested the one given to Special Needs students, the Alternate Assessment to the regular FCAT. Why was this allowed to even happen to Mariah? Is it because both Mariah and I went up to testify before the Florida Senate in March on SB 1108? Is it because she has Down syndrome, is it because her mom is an outspoken Advocate for students with Down syndrome and other unique learning challenges? I would like to know how our public school district can get away with such nonsense!

Ultimately....one month later I decided to completely WITHDRAW my daughter from PUBLIC EDUCATION because I have experienced such a total lack of care to ACADEMICALLY EDUCATE my daughter as she gets older. Being in Middle School and being included in regular general education classes is NOT WHAT THIS DISTRICT WANTS FOR STUDENTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME and certainly they don't care to work collaboratively with their parents.

The new Senate Bill 1108 if it had been in place before this school year or before, I never would have had to go through the nonsense I was being forced to endure at the many (too many) IEP meetings Parkway Middle School put me through. 

Mariah and I going to the Florida Capitol a month previously on March 18th, 2013 to testify before the Florida Senate on why we thought this Bill is an absolute must to have in place to protect parents rights to help our children receive a "world class education"? That is what is advertised throughout our public school district, on their phone lines when we are put on hold and on the District website. A world class education is for those without disabilities I think is what they really mean.

In this video, Mariah had just spoken before me, the same exact speech she read to the Florida Senate Education Committee a month before on March 18th, 2013. I will post her first school board speech when I have a copy of it. This was Mariah's second time public speaking and she did fabulous job! She has told me she loves speaking in front of a people! So through it all, we both have become Public Speakers. Mariah and I both have now had parts of our Senate Education Committee testimony from the the Florida Capitol speech aired on National Public Radion-NPR. Mariah telling the Florida Senate that she wants a REAL HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA and that she wants to one day go to College. Her cute voice and her very first public speech has been aired and heard across the Country. I believe she speaks for many with Down syndrome and special needs education in general. 

Mariah you are on your way to becoming a National Speaker, getting on NPR is a start! I am so proud of my daughter for rising to the challenge of getting up and speaking before the public and having your voice heard! You speak for many like you! 

Please comment if things like this are or have been happening to your child's education, I would love to hear from my readers. Share my story too!

Little Children & Due Process

Today it's Aniah's day in COURT! Broward School District filed for a Due Process Hearing. Aniah's mother DID NOT AGREE WITH the content of the Psycho-Educational EVALUATION that the school Psychologist wrote up about her. Mom was in disagreement on several things, one mainly being that she was evaluated from the schools perspective as if she were a child with Autism and not a child with Down syndrome.

Mom disagreed with several inconsistencies pertaining to her daughters true academic abilities that the school psychologist had written into the report. So she disagreed with the PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL REPORT and the school district believes it was accurate. Therefore the School District takes the Parent to Due Process!

*Parent requested a second opinion or an IEE=Independent Educational Evaluation at PUBLIC EXPENSE. Parent Request was DENIED!

It has been a Roller-Coaster Ride of emotions and stress to say the least on the entire family. Not only that but a financial burden as well.

Today at the Due Process Hearing, mom took her daughter, Aniah with her to meet the ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE. Aniah was a perfect Angel during the entire proceedings that lasted a few hours. She finally was able to go ask him what his name was and snap a few photos when the Due Process Hearing was over.

Having a school district TAKE YOU TO DUE PROCESS is no fun, absolutely but the "process" is an amazing opportunity for parents & the entire family to learn just how "nasty" the schools legal department can make things on an involved parent, that is advocating for their Child's Education!

Outcome of this Particular Due Process Hearing: Our Children's Individual Educational Planning is NOT UP TO THE DISTRICTS LEGAL & DUE PROCESS DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES!! 

....for the record....we have THAT in writing via the COURT REPORTER on the TRANSCRIPTS from Aniah's Due Process Hearing!

Glad this chapter is over!

Just Like You! ~ Cool short video

THANK YOU Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City!! 
This is a PERFECTLY BEAUTIFUL short video especially for October being Down syndrome Awareness Month!! 

Placement, Short-and-Sweet ~ NICHCY resource

The National Dissemination Center

Who We Are

NICHCY is the center that provides information to the nation on:

• disabilities in children and youth;
• programs and services for infants, children, and youth with disabilities;
• IDEA, the nation’s special education law; and
• research-based information on effective practices for children with disabilities.

Placement, Short-and-Sweet

Click link below for complete article written by:

NICHCY = GOOD STUFF TO READ & KNOW!!

http://nichcy.org/schoolage/placement/overview

Mommie Prayer

Oh Dear Lord please forgive us involved & concerned Mommies for our having the thoughts we have towards those that PreJudge our Children's ABILITIES ....especially towards those in high positions! Forgive me Lord for I have sinned in thought. I pray a hedge of protection & grace around my Mommie friends raising & helping our beautiful children be successful and all they are meant to be. 
AMEN

by Nancy Linley-Harris
Special Ed Parent & Child Advocate
August 23, 2012

Utah Family Saves Ukraine Girl | Video - ABC News

Utah Family Saves Ukraine Girl | Video - ABC News
Click on above link to watch a very moving story about a family from Utah that goes to the Ukraine to adopt a little girl with Down syndrome.



Hidden Angels: Two Sisters, One Bright Future | Video - ABC News
Click on the above link to watch a second news clip on little MIA and her new family ~ she now has 3 sisters and lives in Utah, USA


Looking to expand your family? Interested in knowing more about adoption of a child with Down syndrome? 
Reece's Rainbow is the leader in making 
'Forever Family Dreams' come true! 
Thank you Reece's Rainbow for all you do for so many!  http://reecesrainbow.org/

‘Bloom’: One mom's struggle, joy with Down syndrome baby

‘Bloom’: One mom's struggle, joy with Down syndrome baby


Kelle's New Book ~ BLOOM Mom on Down syndrome surprise: ’Out of heartache comes happiness’ 
*click the lighter words above for the link.

Kelle Cryderman Hampton from Naples, Florida has a new book out called ~ BLOOM Finding Beauty in the Unexpected! Check out her interview with the TODAY Show. She has a blog called: Enjoying the Small Things - Kelle Hampton on Facebook.


Kelle is such an inspiration to many families raising a child with Down syndrome and is helping change the way society 'looks at' our little kiddo's with Down syndrome. 


Today the sky is the limit ~ Dreams really do come true!

Compass Learning Odyssey ACADEMIC help online. Have a student ID# from Broward County? Academic help on the computer at school & home.

Compass Learning Odyssey ACADEMIC help online.  Have a Broward County Student ID#?

Academic help on the computer a school & home. Check it out! Ask your school to assign homework & assignments via Odyssey.

http://compasslearningodyssey.broward.k12.fl.us/childu/index.html
CLICK ABOVE LINK  



FAVORITE & SAVE ~ 
BROWARD ESE ADVISORY.COM www.browardeseadvisory.com 
Look on the LEFT side LINKS in FEATURED LINKS for Compass Learning Odyssey for a QUICK LINK to this site and many other HOMEWORK & ACADEMIC HELP at HOME & SCHOOL. Use your student ID# in both windows to LOG-IN.
COMPASS LEARNING ODYSSEY 
http://compasslearningodyssey.broward.k12.fl.us/childu/index.html 
BROWARD ESE ADVISORY.COM  www.browardeseadvisory.com
~ Left & Right Side LINKS ~

Reece's Rainbow ~ to Forever Homes

Please take a moment to watch this powerful video! Share this video with your friends ~ it may just spark someone's interest in Adopting and becoming a Forever Family to a beautiful child with Down syndrome.

5 Tips for Raising a Child with Down Syndrome - Big Kids | SmartParenting.com.ph

5 Tips for Raising a Child with Down Syndrome

Here are a few resources and tips for parents blessed with a child who has Down Syndrome.

By Tina Santiago-Rodriguez

It would probably be safe to say that most parents only wish the best for their children, right from the very beginning, when the woman discovers that she is pregnant. From that time on, all they want is for their child to be completely healthy in all aspects.

How should one react then when one goes for a routine check-up, including an ultrasound and screening blood test, only to be told that the child you are carrying may have Down Syndrome (DS)? For many parents, the news could be quite shocking, and may even leave some afraid and unsure if they are capable of raising a child with such a condition. Sadly, some, especially those who are misled or misinformed, may even resort to the cruel act of aborting their babies, just because they have DS.
If you or someone you know are parents of children with DS, do not fear. Many parents who have come before you learned to accept and deal with their children’s conditions, and ended up raising functional, contributing members of society. (A few examples are Chris Hebein, Molly Bourke, Elyse Mundelein and Zach Wincent).

What is Down Syndrome (DS)?
According to the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Down Syndrome is a set of mental and physical symptoms brought about by having an extra copy of Chromosome 21. 

Under normal circumstances, a fertilized human egg has 23 pairs of chromosomes. However, most people with Down Syndrome have an extra copy of Chromosome 21 (also called trisomy 21 because there are three copies of this chromosome instead of two). The presence of trisomy 21 leads to changes in the body’s and brain’s normal development. DS is actually the most common chromosomal irregularity in humans.

5 Tips for Raising a Child with Down Syndrome - Big Kids | SmartParenting.com.ph:


'via Blog this'

Since Down Syndrome is an incurable condition, parents must make sure their children are assessed and given therapy as soon as possible, as early intervention has helped many kids with DS live productive lives all the way into adulthood. This usually involves speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and special education and attention in school.


Click the above link to read the FULL ARTICLE.


Love your child and enjoy the gift of life you have been given through him or her. 
Parenting in itself is a daunting task, so make sure you embrace your role with faith, hope and love. Many parents of kids with DS can testify that their kids are deeply affectionate and seem to approach life with great joy. You and your family and friends will realize how wonderful life is just by spending time with your child, or other people with DS. 


Tina Rodriguez, Contributor

Get updates from Tina:
http://trulyrichmom.com
http://teachermamatina.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/tinasrodriguez

Sources:
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/ 
http://www.downsyndrome.com

sadsin.blogspot.com  

Stop Aborting Down Syndrome Individuals Now

I am NOT going to be Bullied!

11th annual Inclusive Schools Week is Dec. 5-9, 2011!

11th annual Inclusive Schools Week is Dec. 5-9, 2011!
Inclusive Schools Week is an annual international event celebrated the first week in December. It is a time when schools and communities can begin or continue the journey toward providing a quality education to all children regardless of differences in ability, gender, ethnicity, language and health status. The Inclusive Schools Network offers Activities and Resources for Schools, Classrooms, and Families. Get your kit today!

http://inclusiveschools.org/files/116/ 

Family Hires Attorney After Police Scuffle With Special Needs Man

Family Hires Attorney After Police Scuffle With Special Needs Man

Gilberto Powell ~ 22 years old

I AM SO SORRY THIS HAS HAPPENED TO YOU!!!


You remind me of any number of my friends sons....all my friends have a son or daughter with Down syndrome just like you Gilberto.


I am so sad for you and your mom & dad and your entire family that all love you very much!


The police officers that did this to you, should be ashamed of themselves for BEATING you up and being POLICE BULLIES!!


I PRAY this will be a catalyst for not only the Miami-Police Department to make sure all their officers receive DISABILITY TRAINING but for us as a community that serves a large population of individuals with disabilities that ALL POLICE DEPARTMENTS provide DISABILITY SENSITIVITY TRAINING.

Gilberto............I am so sorry this happened to you!

HUGS-2-YOU~!!!

PODS Angels ~ Down syndrome family support

www.podsangels.org

The GreatSchools Blog

The GreatSchools Blog


This is a really great BLOG to read and follow. 
Enjoy!

Our school may not have the "program" YOUR Child needs.....

A parent with a young Child goes to enroll her very sweet little girl.....in her neighborhood school today....at SHUTTLE Elementary in Tamarac, Florida. (Not really the name of the school....) The office person that was there to help with registering new students was a nice lady I'm sure and just doing her job. My friend was asked about her 2 Children that she was registering today. She tells the nice lady behind the desk that her daughter has Down syndrome. Oh boy.....THAT was mommies first mistake because once you mention you are REGISTERING YOUR CHILD WITH DOWN SYNDROME, then things are handled differently for sure! The office person told my friend, "Have you had an IEP meeting with anyone from OUR school? OUR school might not have "the program" needed for your daughter.

My friend is a good Advocate for her two Children and moved to a new apartment over the summer just to make sure her Children would be in the boundry of that really NICE school! She also made sure this NICE school had what she knew her two Children needed and one is an ESE PreSchool Program for her little girl! Her little girl attends a Special Needs Developmental PreSchool now, called UCP in Fort Lauderdale.  UCP knows that her little girl would be transitioning onto that particular Elementary school, one that UCP has told this mommie yes that school does have the ESE PreSchool program or PLACE as it has been called in recent years. Seems our School District here wants to call our 3-5 year old Special Ed PreSchool Programs something different every year...just to confuse parents....and some school staff people even! Some of the 3-5 year old ESE PreSchool Programs are 'secretly' NOT for our little ones with Down syndrome it seems...........I said....it seems....let's get the DATA so we know. That would be nice to know for sure!

OK Folks.....What IS this particular PROGRAM all these people are always talking about....for OUR little kiddos with Down syndrome????

There is an ESE PreK Program at Shuttle Elementary in Tamarac (aka as the PLACE Program) and the little girl is absolutely ELIGIBLE to ATTEND that program because of her AGE and her ESE Eligibility! So what gives when they find out there is a student with DOWN SYNDROME wanting to enroll and attend the school that is down the street from the parents house?

This IS an ongoing problem here in Broward County and lots of places around the entire Country! I know for a fact this IS a very common problem with the MIND-SET and 'secret policy maybe' here in Broward Public Schools! This is not the first time a parent has contacted me and asked me for help and what to do. Parents are being told something that just isn't TRUE when it comes to enrolling their Child *with Down syndrome into their neighborhood schools!

What CAN BE DONE about this ongoing DISCRIMINATION that parents are being told......?

SEEKING ADVICE about this all too common problem here in Broward County!

Would be nice to find out where MOST students with Down syndrome are attending school and what sorts of classrooms they are being educated in. Is there a way to find out this information? Someone please help make this "situation" right.....it is just not right! How would YOU feel if you were told oh no your Child can't come to THIS SCHOOL.......we may not be able to "meet your Child's needs here."

Really......just want schools to ACCEPT our Children and TEACH THEM! Is that asking too much?

This annoys me more than a little................................

Have a delightful day!

*Become a FOLLOWER of this Blog and share it with others. Thanks!

Dad v. Autism: Dad v. Summer School

Dad v. Autism: Dad v. Summer School: "He probably could have been swimming... So Noah has gone to Summer School for the last three summers. It is paid for by the school system ..."


Thursday July 28, 2011         Dad v. Summer School

*Check out my cousin's blog....from Michigan before reading my post below.

I came to the same conclusion back when my little girl was in the 2nd grade! She took the 3rd grade FCAT and failed with flying colors! Because of that...she was 'entitled to attend' the 3rd grade READING CAMP for all 3rd graders that didn't pass the FCAT. That was a BLOG story I posted back then about when she was attending the Reading Camp. The Principal of the Summer ESY Program and the Reading Camp for 3rd graders, took one look at my daughter and very loudly (and unprofessionally) in front of the entire cafeteria filled with students and staff....told me that my daughter needed to 'go over to the OTHER SIDE' of the divider in the cafeteria where all the other ESY students were. She very rudely stated, that she needed to be in Mrs. SoInSo's classroom! I will find the date of that blog posting...it's a sad but true story of just how much PREJUDGMENT still goes on with people....especially Administrators that are 'in charge' of lots of our kiddo's! Here is the blog post from THAT wonderful experience!!
Blatant Socially Accepted Discrimination 3rd Grade Reading Camp? June 22 - July 24, 2009

ESY ~ Extended School Year for our Kiddo's that NEED the intensive help to gain academic skills so they don't LOOSE any of their academic progress over the summer time break is a great and wonderful program for students. ESY classrooms are filled with wonderful teachers and staff that work over the summer. ESY is NOT an INCLUSIVE General Education type classroom setting, the Children all have an IEP ~ Individual Education Plan/Program with the SUMMER TIME high priority academic and "educationally relevant" therapeutic needs to be worked on during the short and sweet time frame over the summer months.

I have personally gone and done OBSERVATIONS of her ESY classrooms on several occasions to each of the ESY school sites over the years from the time she just 3 years old till when she had just finished attending the 2nd grade. I personally meet her new Summer time ESY teachers, staff and principals at my daughters ESY schools. THIS IS A MANDATORY IN MY BOOK to do each year you send your kiddo off to ESY!! I tell parents all the time...give the ESY school site 3 days to 'get settled' and before the end of that very first week of ESY....make contact with the ESY office staff and set up an observation time. Once you have gotten a teeny tiny snap-shot of your kiddo's ESY day and a feel for the program, you will know without a doubt if ESY will be best for your kiddo! Sign up for it and attend....but do an observation and know more about what the ESY school day is really all about and meet and know who the teacher and staff are that will be responsible for your Kiddo!


Is there classwork and homework during the summer ESY program? Have you seen or not seen classwork coming home or notes from the teacher or staff?....do all you can to see and make sure it's going to be the BEST use of every ones time to have your Child continue into the 2nd week! You will know before the end of week 2 if it is going to be worth a darn. PS ...remember that observations are not the time to TALK or have big old long conversations about your Child with the teacher....it is an observation...and many times...not always a true snap-shot of how the 'academic' day really goes along. It might even be an observation of an ALL HANDS ON DECK type of situation...not real at all of how the day actually is.

Support staff....find out WHO ARE THEY? The main ESY teacher....WHO ARE THEY? What school do they teach at during the school year? What sort of classroom are they used to teaching and what types 'disabilities' do they have training and certification in to teach? It is just good practice as a parent sending your Child off to school, to KNOW the Certification their teachers hold. Here is the Teacher Certification LOOK-UP link for the Florida Department of Education: http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/public.asp  This link is something you should know how to use and be using on a regular basis for all teachers and staff! Mark it as a favorite and put it on the computer desk top for quick reference. Share it with other parents!! Know what all your teachers & staff are CERTIFIED IN to teach! Know the members of your IEP TEAM and what they are CERTIFIED IN TO TEACH! Make sure your IEP TEAM are the REQUIRED IEP TEAM MEMBERS and are CERTIFIED in what they say they are at the IEP meeting.

I am all for ESY ~ for students that need it! I am all for parents being INVOLVED AND ABLE TO SEE WITH THEIR OWN EYES WHO IS TEACHING OUR CHILDREN! I encourage everyone to make sure you get the first and last name of every single person that ever works with your Child. Look up their teacher certifications on the State Department of Education websites and know what they are certified in. I am NOT for taking hours and hours of total 'fluff' to determine ESY 'eligibility' and to also take hours to write an ESY IEP! I am all for DISAGREEING to anything you do and/or don't believe is what your Child needs from his/her ESY program.

Parents are taken on an EMOTIONAL ROLLER-COASTER RIDE of emotions over the IEP process as it is....why do 'they' put on such a show for the ESY ELIGIBILITY IEP meeting and waste so much time with what should be basically simple and easy to do for our kiddo's!! I have attended some ESY IEP meetings that turned into 4 hour Circus Acts and for what...for the fact 'the IEP determined' that the Child only 'qualified for 2 HOURS per week on a MONDAY!!! Really.....the Child has a MATRIX of 253-254 and would only NEED 2 HOURS PER WEEK ON A MONDAY?? That particular parent learned how to sign 2 different DUE PROCESS PAPERWORK THAT DAY! It did not go to Due Process and low and behold 'the right' amount of days and the right amount of time was provided to that Child for ESY that year!

ESY ~ It's a GREAT Program! It's the process of getting 'qualified & eligible' and the correct and needed amount of time the student will be able to attend the program for. Always remember it's 'the IEP TEAM that determines' how many weeks and how many days the student qualifies too attend for. Being told many times that, "the ESY Program is for the really BAD KIDS" or "it's for the REALLY INVOLVED kids"......(I have heard these similar type comments said way too many times when I attend IEP meetings with parents!) Getting it all written on the IEP document is all fine and dandy....but like any SPECIAL EDUCATION Supports & Services, YOU have to be part of the TEAM!!

ESY CAN BE WHAT YOU MAKE IT TO BE BY YOUR BEING INVOLVED!! Establish COMMUNICATION between home and ESY teacher and school. Ask for HOMEWORK and send it back to the ESY Teacher everyday. I had an ESY teacher that was so happy I wrote a daily note and said I was, "THE FIRST PARENT TO EVER DO THAT at ESY!!" (I really hope not!!) Do you know the Daily SCHEDULE and the OT, PT, ST person that will be seeing your Child and for how long and where? Do you know who the classroom assistant is and what they do during the regular school year and what school they work at? Do you know the age of the other classmates? Are they a lot older than your little one? What grade are most of the other classmates? Are they students with challenging behaviors that your Child doesn't have now and absolutely does NOT need to be 'watching n learning' from as well? THIS STUFF IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW! Our Children need a good classroom that is tailored to their needs, not tailored to the 'schools needs' or the 'teachers needs' or the Administrators needs....it IS about YOUR Child's needs! Be a confident advocate and do what is BEST for YOUR Child!

Raise the bar on EXPECTATIONS....from everyone! If you don't communicate to the ESY TEACHER & STAFF at which they probably did not attend the ESY IEP meeting or may not even ever see the IEP! Most ESY teachers are just meeting your Child for the first time and don't know your Child at all or may not have even laid eyes on your Child's IEP document or ever seen the ESY "PLAN".

Say YES 2 ESY! ~ Do YOUR part as a parent and go OBSERVE the classroom you are sending your Child to over the summer! MEET THE TEACHER & the ESYAdministrator!

Look for FUN over the summer.....HOME SCHOOL the ACADEMICS if you can....Create your own school work! YOU KNOW your Child BEST! Be the summer teacher....and have FUN with your Child!

School is around the corner....DUST OFF THOSE IEP's and start planning for the real goals that absolutely need to be mastered within 1 school year!

Have a FUN Summer!


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Down syndrome Inclusive Educational Strategies

Schools who let one criterion, such as a specific disability, automatically determine the placement are likely to be held in violation of federal law.

~ Supreme Court - Board of Education v. Rowley ~

"Inclusion is a right, not a special privilege for a select few".
~ Federal Court - Oberti v. Board of Education ~

"Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal"
~ Supreme Court - Brown v. Board of Education ~

All children with disabilities are to be educated to
the "maximum extent" with children who do not have disabilities.
~ Federal Law I.D.E.A. Sec. 612.5 (A) ~

Elementary & Secondary Education - What is Inclusion?
http://www.ndss.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=83&limitstart=3

Elementary & Secondary Education - Tips for Teaching Students with Down syndrome
http://www.ndss.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=83&limitstart=2