Carrie’s TEBlog

The article “D.C. Schools to Test New Special-Ed Rule” was interesting to me because I have not had much exposure to the special education programs in schools. A new proposal was passed that makes it the parent’s job to obtain proof for due-process hearings that challenge the special education plans for their children. The main reason this has switched over from being the school’s responsibility is to save money. I can understand both sides of how this could be bad and this could help. Honestly, if the parent is feeling that their special needs child is not getting the right kind of help in school, it should be their job to look into it and gain as much knowledge about what is actually going on. I think though that it is a problem because the special education programs in a lot of schools are lacking so much, that it is a bit ridiculous the school would not take responsibility for it. I mean to me for the school to be looking for ways to cut cost by placing responsibility on parents, when they are the ones who are not able to help the children, is backwards. The school should be working towards making the program better and helping the students. I do however agree that the parents need to be involved. It is their child, so they know them best. They should be the ones who are asking questions and seeing if the child seems to be progressing or not. I think it is a joint responsibility that should be settled outside courts. Now a day everyone just looks for a way to blame someone, which does not accomplish anything. I think the best idea would be for schools to be working with the parents to make the special education program more accommodating to their children.