02 Sep 2021 Disability and Public School

 

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There is a lot more to discuss! I spoke mainly about schools in the USA but am open to discussing school in an international context. Here is what I found in two hours of my livestream:

What is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?

https://www.understood.org/articles/en/individuals-with-disabilities-education-act-idea-what-you-need-to-know

5 Most Common Learning Disabilities

https://www.masters-in-special-education.com/lists/5-most-common-learning-disabilities/

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Facts For Families Guide

https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/Layout/FFF_Guide-01.aspx?hkey=c2dc89fb-aac1-4308-9297-eedfe7755b92

This resource has a wealth of info on various topics. The ones I talked about tonight are:

School Services for Children with Special Needs: Know Your Rights

No. 83; September 2016

https://www.aacap.org/aacap/families_and_youth/facts_for_families/fff-guide/Services-In-School-For-Children-With-Special-Needs-What-Parents-Need-To-Know-083.aspx

Chronic Illness and Children

No. 19; Updated October 2015

https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/The-Child-With-A-Long-Term-Illness-019.aspx

Talking To Kids About Mental Illnesses

No. 84; July 2017

https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Talking-To-Kids-About-Mental-Illnesses-084.aspx

Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth

No. 122; May 2017

https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/transgender-and-gender-diverse-youth-122.aspx

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I think schools should:

- Allow students at least a 30 minute lunch. My older daughter had 15 minutes for lunch in 5th grade. I know because I ate with her on special occasions.

- Allow students recess twice per school day. I think all high schools should have parks where students can walk, jog or swing at recess, to blow off steam.

- All school systems should integrate mental health care in-school. They should have online therapy available during school hours. 

- All school systems should have a no-bullying policy, on or off campus. This should include colleges and universities. Bullying is abuse. Abuse of any kind should not be tolerated.

- Class sizes should be reduced. Teacher burnout is a sign that classes are too large and paperwork is too much. Reduce homework and reduce teacher workload. 

- Do less testing. Research shows that standardized testing is biased against ethnic groups. Many students suffer from test anxiety.

- Emphasize socialization and working together. Don't tolerate hate speech, name-calling, or making fun of people. Teach students to stand up to this in heathy ways. Have a therapist teach groups about positive communication.

- Make more partnerships between the psychological community and the education community. Child psychologists can show teachers more healthy ways to gain class cooperation.

- Students should have a Bill of Human Rights. Every student deserves a healthy school environment, free of bullying, discrimination, and public health threats. If a school cannot provide a safe environment, students should have a choice to attend remotely.

- Dannis Cole