There were also concerns about inadequate technology support for special education, and a lack of receptiveness among some administrators to new ideas for improving special education programs at schools.ĭuring the meeting, Freund also laid out issues that should be addressed, including absenteeism among professional staff, the effectiveness of the district's inclusionary model and the availability of general education programs to special education students. Other parents are worried about a lack of trained staff and instructional support, saying that specialized teachers known as monitors and their assistants are stretched too thin with heavy caseloads. There is no communication between the two planets," said Jensen, whose son receives special services as a senior at GHS. "The process of producing an IEP, it's like it takes place on one planet, and the implementation of the IEP takes place on a different planet. GHS father Carsten Jensen said there is often a disconnect between the services recommended on the IEP and the programs carried out in the classroom. "I know people who read this, and they can't make heads or tails of what the (educational) outcome is supposed to be." "The basic IEP format that the town uses is so confusing," one mother said. Some critics at the meeting said the district's Individualized Education Plans, known as IEPs, which outline an educational program for each child with a disability, should be far more comprehensive for parents.
Legal disputes and communication difficulties were not the only issues raised by parents at the meeting. "We need to make sure we are listening, and we are hearing all of this." "It's very important to listen, listen, and listen well," he said. with an advocate and your own assessment that you're not going to get what you need for your child, then that immediately puts us in an adversarial relationship."Īnderson, the school board chair, said responsiveness to parents' concerns will be key. "If the first approach that parents have (is that) unless you come in. "I'm interested in partnering with parents," Freund said, though he added that "communication and collaboration doesn't always mean saying `yes.' "ĭeveloping this closer partnership is difficult, however, if parents are quick to resort to litigation to resolve disputes, Freund said. In many instances, the cases are settled through mediation or other means of negotiation.įreund said one of his top priorities is improving communication with parents to tackle systemic problems. Trying to secure the proper services from the school district "is like working with an insurance company," she later said.įamilies who disagree with the way the school district is handling their child's special education can request a due process hearing. "I don't care what you call my son, but he's just not getting the services that he needs," Ginsberg said. Teresa Ginsberg said her 11-year-old son has been short-changed on services by a school district that discounted outside evaluations by specialists who say her son has autism-spectrum disorders. Eleven percent of students in Greenwich public schools receive special education services. Director of Pupil Personnel Service Mary Forde and Greenwich High School Headmaster Chris Winters were also in attendance. More than 50 parents turned out at Town Hall to sound off to Board of Education Chairman Steve Anderson and Superintendent of Schools Sidney Freund about their concerns. "We need to make changes from the top down." "The fish stinks at the head first," Torock said.