Quote:
Originally Posted by deafdyke
OceanBreeze THANK YOU!!!!!
I'm not saying that specialized schools are some wonderful utopia. Just pointing out that the mainstream really does have HUGE downsides, that tend to be swept under the rug by pro-mainstreamers. Oh, and I remember vividly being pulled out for things like: speech, OT,and PT.....To this day I have NO clue how I managed to fit all that in. But I do remember wishing that I could have attended a school where all those extra services were built into the school day.
I think Meggie might be saying that her family couldn't afford a lawyer to fight for a really good placement and accomondations. Remember, a mainstream school CAN legally provide minimal accomondations, and still be within legal rights.
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I will qualify my statement above by saying this ...
I graduated HS in 1987. At the time, the shift towards full inclusion into the mainstream was beginning to really take hold. Many of the orthopedic units that I had known during my schooling were being closed down, and the self contained classes were being phased out. This was in a public school district in Maryland, where I'm originally from. I have no idea what it's like now, but I can only imagine it being a dog eat, dog world now.
There are people who thrive in a mainstream, and because of that, I think a parent should consider it as an option, and place there child according to his or her ability, but the moment the child starts to struggle, pull them and place them in another environment.
Also, if you place your child is in the mainstream setting, make SURE that child
has the appropriate accomondations. Don't settle for JUST peferential seating. If the child needs more services, provide them those services!