Hold on to your special needs child’s IEP because what I’m about to tell you is going to blow you away.
It’s not a rumor. It’s not about distorting lies.
It’s about you knowing the truth.
I’m getting many complaints from teachers all over Miami Dade County Public Schools who are fed up with administrators pulling out inclusion teachers from inclusion classes with special needs students.
Turns out that this problem isn’t only in MDCPS.
What’s with the total disregard to the students who need an inclusion teacher?
Why is it happening?
Disregard for an IEP
I know several teachers who teach children in the ESE program (exceptional student education) and who are also the inclusion teacher in classrooms with ESE students.
When I teach my inclusion class, I teach students who are able to be in the mainstream classroom but need an inclusion teacher as well. These students should be able to perform at the same level as the other children as long as an IEP is implemented.
Having an inclusion teacher helps the students stay on target.
But what if the inclusion teacher is hardly there?
What if the inclusion teacher is never there?
Better yet, why isn’t the inclusion teacher there?
Where is the inclusion teacher?
You are not going to like the answer. You’re going to get mad.
Where is the inclusion teacher?
In some instances, the inclusion teacher is covering for another teacher’s classroom. It’s cheaper than hiring a substitute.
In some instances, the inclusion teacher is proctoring standardized exams. It’s cheaper than..oh I don’t know what! But it’s cheaper.
In some instances, the inclusion teacher is in meetings which are scheduled at the same time as the inclusion times. Why? Ohhhh…I don’t know.
Bottom line: administrations use inclusion teachers to do many things which they aren’t required to do but do it anyway.
Inclusion teachers have their hands tied.
I’m sure you’re asking: where’s the union on this?
Where’s UTD?
That’s a good question. I can’t give you an answer.
I hear that the union with the highest paying dues are “looking into it” and “fighting it on fronts” but are they?
Fighting this situation is a waste of time and money. Nothing has been resolved. I spoke about it years ago at a school board meeting in Miami Dade. Now I’m still hearing from other teachers who tell me that this situation hasn’t been resolved.
This problem has been going on for several years all over Miami Dade County Public Schools and it continues.
This is probably a dumb question but why are the leaders of Miami Dade County Public Schools allowing this situation to take place?
Is it because it’s cheaper to use the inclusion teacher to do everything except their job as an inclusion teacher?
Is it because they realize that the union is so weak that filling out grievances isn’t a big deal as long as they can save money?
Is it because they don’t care about the students who need the inclusion teacher?
How can you get the inclusion teacher back into the classroom?
Are you mad enough to do something about it? If so, read on.
If not, ok. You can stop reading here and never think twice about laws being broken and total disregard for the students. Enjoy your day. But remember that these students will one day need a job. If we can’t give them the best education, who can?
For those of you who are mad and aren’t going to take it anymore, there is good news.
You can do something to get the inclusion teacher back into the classroom.
As a parent, you can raise hell! Speak to the administration. Let them know that you know their actions are wrong. Then you go and speak to the people in charge. You let them know as well.
Leave emails. Certified letters. Document everything.
Every time your child doesn’t have an inclusion teacher in the room, document it.
Don’t complain and do nothing. Take action.
Just so everyone is clear on this, there aren’t any inclusion teachers in other classes except math and english. That’s material for another topic.
Inclusion teachers, Stand Up!
Yes, I’m aware it’s my personality to speak up. But this time it’s not about my rights, it’s about the kids. There are students who need an inclusion teacher and sit lost in a classroom. If they are in high school, they might be in a classroom with over 35 students. Imagine how intimidating that must feel for an ESE student.
Inclusion teachers, it’s not your fault that the administration asks you to do things when you should be in the inclusion class.
But you need to speak up. Staying quiet hurts everyone.
What’s your take on this?
What are you going to do about it?