No one said Texas was on the cutting-edge of anything, but executions and road building. Texas gave Dubya the governor's chair which from there he stole 2 elections. So why would you expect that Texas would care for less than perfect children? A big "christian" state or so they say.

sorry Thomas the forum won't let me post the BB codes for a quote.

Thomas More August 10th, 2008 12:29 pm
hman August 9th, 2008 11:59 pm

I hope my response above didn't lead you to think that I support the current state of affairs in Texas. The stereotyping by people that have the same or far worse problems in their own states just irritates me.

No Thomas, I do not think that you would support this kind of problem. I hope that by talking and asking for more input from these web forums that more and more people will come to understand that the educational goals that have been highly advocated by (sigh!)...some dead guys that wrote a lot of important stuff..., will understand that when these programs are mentioned in their own State Legislatures the best result would be to speak out loudly and frequently until the problems are exposed and corrected.
I can give you some better news in that the failing of the Schools to meet mandatory testing will cause these legislators to adopt more methods until the answer is found.
I have discovered a study by Dr. Joseph Levine (Source needed) that will lead to the next model for our school development. Listen carefully here, this is the most important part. Dr. Levine is a pediatrician working in South Carolina and his study of how the adolescent mind develops has been read, lobbied for and requested by the American Education Association groups as the most important understanding of new education methods in 50 years.
Please look-up and read his book entitled [u]one Mind At A Time[/u].
The model for schools is changing and the tired State Boards are out of their element. They won't admit it but the only way we can fix the model is if we quit relying on their state levels for education and start to fix the problem ourselves.
hman

Oh Thomas Moore----you ARE a proud Texan---
(you once bragged to me in one of your other posting that "we stole our state fair and square")

And the "History of your State", should be one as an example for those who read History and those who wish to learn from History, as one of absolute "naked aggression", absolute state sanctioned double standards and exclusion of anyone who does not sing the songs of TEXAS----in key----and with "Heartfelt True Love"---and most importantly a history that overall will be considered one of absolute "Negative Example"

Of all of the States of the United States, Texas is the largest, with the most widely diversified geography, a current population that exceeds by at least 4 million, (not including those Spanish Speaking slaves YA'LL CALL--"guest workers") the population of Australia, (that's a country far far away)

Texas most likely has the lowest ranking lower education system in the country, or at least can show through test results that they can show the lowest test results. And the irony is that many Texans are proud of that status, or at least not willing to do much to change it. Most of them would just as soon keep things the way they are, until "Jesus gets back this way and then we can take Texas on to heaven with us".

I was born in Texas----I was raised in Texas and Okla, and was an educator in Texas until I could no longer stand the politically dominated education system and could not leave fast enough. That has not changed much in the last twenty years, with one exception.
All of the written material used in the "testing" initiated by "GW's" administration---is provided by a company owned solely by friends of the Bushes----now that's the way they do things in TEXAS--

To coin a phrase from someone who "knew"----
Tom Horn, the Army Scout who is credited with talking Geronimo into surrendering---
"Texans they're the worst form of white man there is"........things have changed little since that was originally said in 1882.

And if you are Disabled, and a child in Texas, you're pretty much on your own.

If your a "guest worker" stay in touch, we'll let you know where we put those "holes in that wall we're a buildin down there on the border--- so you can git back in when we need ya"--OK, Jose'?

And never forget---in Texas, the plural for
"Yall" is "all yall"..

The mean spirited, social Darwinist, elitist Christian right has sacrificed the most vulnerable on its altar of Mammon. The rich get big tax breaks, subsidies, no-bid cost-plus war contracts with immunity from fraud prosecution and other emoluments, and the poor get screwed. Then they go to church and teach their kids to sing about how Jesus loves the little children.

"First, God created idiots. That was just for practice. Then He created school boards." - Mark Twain

hman August 9th, 2008 11:59 pm

I hope my response above didn't lead you to think that I support the current state of affairs in Texas. The stereotyping by people that have the same or far worse problems in their own states just irritates me.

The Texas Board of Education is a disgrace to our great state. As near as I can determine, your assesment of their status is correct. Ant the Teachers unions here are pretty much like other states it seems. More concerned with their own circumstances and agendas than your problems.

I wish you luck and when the legislature goes back into session nexrt year, be sure you give them an earfull.

Anything your fwellow Texans could do to materially help you?

I reread my message. To understand it better…when I said prey on….I meant... If children are not nurtured well, if they are not fed well, then brains do not function well, and they do not learn to read or write or communicate well, then they are at the mercy of the system.

If left unattended, they are unable to compete, to get a job, to make money, and to feed and clothe themselves. They will not just disappear go away and starve to death.

By any other means, they will survive. You cannot lock everyone up. Those that survive will be those that rob, steal, and murder so that they can continue to exist. Can you blame a soul that this is trying to stay alive. Is this what we want in America?

If we do not help children…all children, our children, "their" children, good children, bad children, black and brown children, green and pink children....these children will grow up and be preying on your children. If they are helped now…then we all have a future. Help is as simple as writing a letter of concern. Turning the other way because it is too painful or too much trouble puts us all at risk.

Of course the worse abuse is in TEXAS. That is where Shrub is from.

-------------------

I sent the above message to my friends. No doubt, I will hear back from them. Some will say that it is too much to think about, and that they think it is very sad but there is nothing they can do about it. Some will condemn me for send them such trash. What do you do with people that cannot see past their noses?

I have a high school-aged daughter who is currently being "left behind", by Texas' avoidance of the issue being discussed here.

When my wife and I were first told that the state of Texas wants to be responsive to the needs of disabled and mentally ill children, we were allowed to Homeschool our daughter.
That was 6 years ago while our daughter attended a public primary school, she excelled at Science and had already told us that she wanted to study at a college to become a Veterinary Doctor.
After beginning public High School 2 years ago the Educational requirements for students with disabilities changed.
Gone are the special needs classes for my daughter.
The rationale that is being used is that Texas students need to be able to compete in the real world for jobs and since the real world won't provide any differences for students with special needs then the School system shouldn't have to provide a separate or different education program for those students.
I don't have any special education in the study of law but I can certainly understand the problem being discussed by a State Education system that will accept Federal assistance for students attending a public school that need more attention than students who are not as challenged emotionally or physically and then decide not to provide any special programs or funds.
This is called corruption. I don't mean to define this conflict as a misunderstanding of the facts or maybe a misconception of the problem by well meaning state legislators that believe they should support the Texas Board of Education. A corrupt system is by nature one that accepts the responsibility of power and then makes a new plan without the approval of the citizens to implement that plan.

My case is not any different than when a problem of representation by an elected official is determined in a meeting that is held in a state office by state officials who decide to ignore the Federal recommendations about Teacher versus student hiring levels, Teacher education requirements for students with special needs and Teacher training levels for students with special needs.
Accepting an education program that puts both teachers and students at risk is not the role of a state organization.
In Texas the role of educational development is moderated by a private company of professionals like the Texas Teachers Association to determine the achievement levels for graduation and to devise a plan to to get from point A to point B.

The strong word that I applied lies in the decision to err on the side of ignorance by deciding that we don't know how to treat the problem without spending the funds for special needs students and we would like to have access to these funds for other educational needs instead.

The history of correcting this inadequate educational program depends on the resources of the parents each and every time by suing the local school board for in effect and in toto "giving up", on the student named as a victim in a civil process.

I would respectfully ask each one of you if this is a rationale that means anything different than corruption.
I have read some news and information that suggests that every state has this kind of problem.
The reasoning behind this always gets explained by an overworked system that cannot be responsive to the needs of the individual. If I needed a textbook description of what "insanity", is I would suggest that this model for the lowest bidder type of education at the expense of our children is by nature corrupt and designed to produce the worst kind of result.

Yes, I know that there are exceptions to this rule. I accept and congratulate the successes that this kind of adversity can produce but when the subject of education is such a personal one to me I don't have any more patience than what it takes to read up and lobby my elected official to once again go to the State Board and default in my trust in him or her by repeating the same mistakes over and over again.
Disgustedly, hman

jclientelle August 9th, 2008 7:54 pm

Very kind of you to point that out. The stereotyping really wears on me sometimes.

Intolerence, racism asnd bigotry always fry my bacon!

As you say, it is the New York Times....lets see now, who was it they endorsed for President?????

As I said, its very kind of you to take the time to say "cool your jets", much appreciated.

Pax

Thomas More - don't get too touchy. The New York Times has always been quick to point out deficiencies in the South before those in their own back yard. The article could easily have been about Brooklyn, where I live.

Prisons and the army are our final answer to mis-education, mental retardation, mental health, emotional problems and substance abuse among those who are not wealthy. Some of these kids have parents who are not up to the task. The kids are neglected by parents and by the education system until they get in trouble. Then the juvenile justice system and the military step in to pick up the pieces.

Parents with more time, money, determination or intellectual awareness fight hard to get private help for their kids.

Another article on CD talked about the military aptitude tests that are given in HS to help recruiting. Instead we need to test kids throughout school to see how to help them to learn. Health, eyes and hearing should be tested. Reading problems that do not solve themselves should suggest testing for dyslexia. Kids should be given a wide range of opportunities to help them find and develop their interests. Goal should be happy, useful, peaceful life and work and living by the best that is in them.

goldengirl - Where I live each learning disabled child is theoretically entitled to an individualized program in the public schools. We have witnessed the actuality with two of our friends and found that the plan is on paper only. The children in question, well-behaved kids who had been diagnosed with dyslexia which makes reading difficult, were assigned to classes that are a conglomeration of disabled learners, emotionally disturbed children, violent children and those with physical/neurological problems. Needless to say the teachers are stretched very thin and, from what I have seen, the best and kindest teachers try to get through the day with safety and without completely destroying the self-esteem of the kids, but not necessarily with educational progress.

Parents have to fight a hard and tiring batlle to get the help the kids need, which is more expensive than a normal program. Only parents with determination and resources can possibly succeed.

My spouse and I have been witnesses at a fair hearing in which our friend was trying to prove how the program her child was in was not appropriate. A more Alice in Wonderland forum cannot be imagined. The social worker, with wild eyes and bright red hair sticking our in points, was either a moron or deliberatedly following orders to prevent a more costly solution to the child's problem. Soooo frustrating.

Eventually after a long battle that mother forced the Bd. of Ed. to pay for private school. In the other situation the parents gave up, skimped on everything else and paid out of pocket - hired daily tutors and sent their child to private support programs for years. Both children have learned to work hard and are doing very well now.

As a Texan I would like to advise some here to quit advertising their bigotry and their obvious ignorance about our State and history.

Can't say that this surprises me. The New York Times is a dollar short and 8 years too late. Bush bullocksed up Houston real good with his educatin programs. Bush cut taxes to his richest friends and basically left the property owners like myself to pick up the tab for them. Then his buddy Rod (Coca Cola front man) Paige who just dumped failing kis on the street. Now Houston Independent School District is knocking on the doors of those dropouts to get them back in school so they can get there dimplomas. Houston and the rest of Texas is recovering from the Bush sunami.

As for my son he was in a different school district in a school for children with learning disabilites but they were just baby sitting these kids. His progress under them went into reverse. We found out they were doing much worse so we pulled him out of there and he's in private school now for 5 years where my wife and I are hoping can catch up to what he has lost. Progress is measured in milimeters but he is going forward.

Yes, all people have disabilities and abilities, however there are many who have such significant issues, they need help & people.... who try to understand what each individual wants. Some people can't live and compete in our country on their own. They and their families need paid and also non-paid support from their families, friends, and community members. Belonging somewhere is essential. Our country is so wonderful in many ways but there is room for growth.... we do not have all the answers nor do we all agree on possible solutions. People with little or no voice are very vulnerable and they need caring people around them. The bottom line: we must find ways to help them.

What many parents dont know is that it is free to have your child tested through the school districts at any time, including when they are even just two years old, preschool age. Professionals will assess your child and make any recommendations and then those resources are made available. Our child was assessed at 2 and we had speech and physical therapists assigned to come to our house twice a week for 4 weeks. Sometimes I think in other areas this is not *advertised*. If more kids got tested early alot of pain and suffering could be avoided. A teacher(for 30 yrs.) is who told us of this free resource.

This article confirms what I have observed just personally, tho the numbers are more staggering than I knew! More than 40% are disabled kids among the "students in custody".!!!

Regrettably whatfools, we hack up Mozarts for breakfast, Einsteins for lunch, and young potential Stephen Hawkings for dinner. Not enough melanin deficiency perhaps, or the wrong social class, or they are physically not pleasing, something. This IS a society based on exclusion after all. That IS one of the only things good americans will die for. Sorry. We kill billions for sport here, billions more we torture for the simple pleasure of their agonized mortal screams....didn't know that humans can croak like frogs before they die? Especially the children who never know why. Why? Because we like it that way, and nobody can make us stop....so there...tell it to the Lakota or the Cheyenne or the Arapaho or the Dene. Tejas? Tejas got to be Texas because white slave holders wanted to extend their plantation society into Mexican territory and Mexico had already outlawed human slavery as an abomination. Remember the Alamo. You better. The Slavers won. They're still winning.

Disabled? Everyman is both disabled and gifted in some way. What seems to help people the most is one-on-one caring. Anyone can be a Mentor, working for the greater good without desire for personal reward or fear of failure.
Disabled? I knew of a man with Aspergers Syndrome named Albert Einstein. Stephen Hawking contributes to mankind in spite of his disability. We never know except that everyman contributes to the Devine as Emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote many centuries ago.

Maybe we'll become a third world country state by state.

Just eat them. Texas will barbecue them later anyway. Besides, the PIC needs and requires a steady stream of human flesh to feed the Profit Machine and we love our victims blood rare with a little A-1. Get'em when they're young. It's the American Way. Better them than you, right?

What do you expect?
It's the bigot belt. And the state from which Dubyal Boobsh and Phil Graham come from. It is the mentality they have about everything.

It would be interesting to find out how many of these kids in the special ed system are minorities, and how many are poor, or both.

Texas is the ultimate Me Myself I state, and is likely to remain so for the next fifty years. That is their outlook and their culture.

As Hubert H. Humphrey (1911-1978) Said:

"The moral test of government is
how that government treats
those who are in the dawn of life,
the children;
those who are in twilight of life,
the elderly;
and those in the shadows of life,
the sick, the needy and the handicapped."

Do F's (for Failed) across the board sound about right?

I think that Texas is a special case in many ways, especially regarding executions. But let's not get too self-righteous here in the north. We dress things up in more sophisticated clothes here, we hide our flaws better, but a lot is about the same.

From the overt orders by George Washington that mandated American Indians to move westward from the Finger Lakes or face extermination, to the way we push minority and poor children out of the school system, we are more similar than we would like to admit.