Apparently, a kindergarten teacher in Florida asked each of her young students to say what they didn’t like about their classmate 5-year old Alex Barton. Then the teacher asked the class to vote on Alex’s continued participation in class. By a 14 to 2 margin Alex was voted out. This morning’s bloggers and readers are outraged saying things like, ” I think that teacher should be fired on the spot.” “This is abuse, pure and simple.”
We should by outraged by this story. It’s a horrible story. BUT, let’s be honest here. Kids are voted out of the classroom all the time at something called an IEP meeting. At IEP meetings thousands and thousands of Alexes voted out every year. But, where’s the public outrage and concern when adults are the ones doing the voting?
Posted below is another mom’s story of how the votes went down at Jessica’s IEP meeting. BTW, an IEP meeting is a more sanitized and professionalized and successful method of exclusion than kindergarteners voting. Maybe we are lulled into believing that exclusion is somehow okay if the decision makers are wearing ties instead of t-shirts. But, its high time we woke up to the fact that kids are being voted out on a regular basis. This daily injustice IS also worthy of our outrage.
We had the meeting today and I feel like they threw every stinkin’ line at me: Mental retardation; we have to think of the other kids; we cannot expect a reg. ed. teacher to teach a special ed student-it’s not their job; you just want us to give in to you; mental retardation; She does not need an education in “inclusion”; she will be best served in self contained or resource; you are not being fair to your daughter; mental retardation, IQ. State testing, Mental Retardation.
Image Shown: The IEP Meeting,
by Candee Basford
4 Comments
May 28, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I understand your point. Kids on the spectrum (in addition to many other types of special ed kids) have been getting the short end of the stick in public school systems for years. That’s why this is such a big deal. For once, someone has picked up the story and this time, we’re not letting anyone get forgotten.
I couldn’t do anything to help myself when I was at the mercy of my peers and my teachers, but I can say something in regards to this little boy–and I can say it loudly. And maybe, through this one kid, we can set a precedent to make a difference. I’m adding you to my list.
May 28, 2008 at 9:57 pm
[...] Candy Basford’s Weblog [...]
June 20, 2008 at 4:02 pm
This story is highly bothersome, but you mentioned is not entirely unique. Additionally, I would venture to guess that his classmates have already ostracized him anyway, but the fact that the teacher condoned the behavior is disgusting.
My wife and I are currently “at war” with the school district to ensure that our almost five year old son, Jacob, receives the right “free and appropriate” education. Jacob received his diagnosis of Autism in August 2006 and since then has received hundreds of ABA hours and has just completed his second year in a special day pre-school program.
He is intellectually smart and moderate to high moderate as far as function goes, but he is not ready emotionally for kindergarten. But, since he is of “school age” (never mind that developmentally he is not of “school age”) the district initially offered to place him in a — big surprise — special day kindergarten program.
Not surprisingly, this is the same offer they made to every other child in Jacob’s class, regardless of their level of function or actual “individual” needs. He has classmates who can’t speak in his class to those who are more typical, but exhibit inappropriately violent behavior. Sure sounds like they all need the same “individualized” plan to me!
We feel Jacob needs another year in a pre-school environment so he can develop his social skills. We want him in a typical pre-school with a one-on-one aide (we would prefer one through our ABA agency, but would be fine with a district aide). But, since he is “school age” (but more likely since they get more funding if he is in kindergarten) they are really making us work for what Jacob really needs.
We will now likely have to engage the services of a special education lawyer at a minimum cost of $5,000 (for the retainer) so we can get Jacob the “free and appropriate” education he deserves!
June 21, 2008 at 9:31 am
Hi Matthew,
Thanks for writing. I’m so sorry to hear that the “fight” for Jacob’s education has begun so early. Also, I wouldn’t assume that the kids ostracized Alex prior to the teacher’s actions. In my experience, kids have a great sense of community, but in this case, the teacher interfered with that natural tendency and orchestrated Alex’s banishment.
BTW – are you familiar with Ari Ne’eman? He brings a refreshing voice to the medical model that pervades our culture. Worth checking out.