End of (school) year woes

Yesterday I wrote on www.woodstockadvocate.com about problems two area mothers had with the son's schools. One student is in Special Education; the other is not. Neither is in Woodstock.

How did the school year go for your child? And for you?

Did you want your child in summer school to prevent regression over the summer? Did it happen? Is your child progressing in school or merely attending?

Thirteen months ago Woodstock District 200 surveyed parents of students in Special Education. Parents indicated that they wanted information, programs and training. Parents also wanted a Parent Advisory Council.

Not a Parent Support Group. They are different. Just ask the parents in Huntley. They have true input to the school system, rather than being force-fed "the line" and being expected to sit there and swallow it.

What happened to the survey and its results? Nothing. It must have gone in the round file or a dusty bottom drawer.

Parents want to be active participants in the education of their children. They want to be partners with the teachers. Yet too many school districts hold parents at a distance and prevent them from getting in contact with one another. It's too bad that this kind of segregation isn't unlawful.

A friend in Denver recently suggested that parents of Special Ed students could form a Meet-Up group. There are over 1,000 students in Special Education in Woodstock District 200. This means there are probably at least 700 parents from which a group might draw its attendance.

Interested?