Scary stuff-parents, you need to be paying attention

[Vertnut]

Yeah sure Ill do the math, because its obvious that you're a little un-educated, especially when it comes to the demographics in the state of Texas. The little city of LaJoya serves more than just 'La Joya', it's the school district for about 5 little towns and also serves the western part of Mission. If you did a little more research instead of opening your mouth about something you clearly don't know anything about. You do know that most of the produce, cotton, beef, come from this area of Texas right? If you did know that, you would also know that these farms are operated by people (legal citizens) and their kids have to go to school somewhere right? Do a little more research about something before you pick a border town to spew your nonsense.

LOL! You trying to school me? Haha! I researched it quite well. It covers a large area, but the tax base is still not even CLOSE to covering the costs' tax-wise. California has the same issues on a larger scale. It was a simple (though too much for you to understand!) illustration of how there's too little money to go around to educate all the kids they serve. Asshole.

Did I call you an asshole? Just checking.

I said nothing racial.

[centexchick]

Third...Stop letting every lazy ass parent that lives off the already broke system from registering their child with a "learning disability" so they can collect some extra greenbacks from the state. Stigmatize the child as a dumbass from the get go so that you can buy some more cigs on me!

ok...not all of us are lazy or anything else for that matter. My son is in my opinion exceptionally smart. However, he may have dyslexia and dysgraphia. Which are real issues. Stigmatizing my kid as a dumbass would be calling Einstien incompetent. Sorry, but that just ain't gonna fly with me.

[Vertnut]

ok...not all of us are lazy or anything else for that matter. My son is in my opinion exceptionally smart. However, he may have dyslexia and dysgraphia. Which are real issues. Stigmatizing my kid as a dumbass would be calling Einstien incompetent. Sorry, but that just ain't gonna fly with me.

You mean "Einstein"? A little irony there... ;-)

[centexchick]

You mean "Einstein"? A little irony there... ;-)

[Leah]

ok...not all of us are lazy or anything else for that matter. My son is in my opinion exceptionally smart. However, he may have dyslexia and dysgraphia. Which are real issues. Stigmatizing my kid as a dumbass would be calling Einstien incompetent. Sorry, but that just ain't gonna fly with me.

I understand your position and there are many more kids that receive special services that truly do need it, than the ones who are using the system. However, as a special education teacher, there are a great number of students in special ed with nothing other than an ADD diagnosis just because (some) parents want to bleed the system dry, don't want to have to monetarily be responsible for helping their child get the help they need and/or are just plain lazy. They want someone else to 'fix' their kid instead of being a parent to begin with.

My son is a POSTERCHILD for ADHD. Without medication, he can't finish a flipping sentence, much less stay focused on a task. He is also very bright and in Pre-AP classes because WE as parents make sure he gets what he needs to be successful. He would qualify for special ed services like extra tutoring, one on one help, modifications, etc., but I don't want someone else in control of what my son is doing or limiting what he can/can't do. That's MY job as a parent and I will do whatever it takes. Unfortunately, not all parents feel the same way.

We spend more money than you can imagine on students in special ed on services like OT (occupational therapy), PT (physical therapy), Vision, Hearing, etc...for students who don't need it, but parents yell and scream that their kid deserves to receive them so the schools cave. Lawsuits and threats from parents have seriously changed the way schools operate.

*just to be clear-I know you have been a very active and involved parent and I do not want you to interpret this as me saying you are one of 'those' parents. I absolutely do not think you are.

[46Tbird]

I'm not trying to come across as a jerk here...

But I think that students that cannot concentrate in a normal classroom (aka ADD / ADHD) should not be there. They are disruptive to other students that want to learn, and teachers have to devote most of their attention to the kids that are least likely to be able to learn in that setting.

I think we need a new concept for educating ADD/ADHD students. Trying to cram book knowledge in those kids is a frustrating, futile experience for all involved.

[Vertnut]

I'm not trying to come across as a jerk here...

But I think that students that cannot concentrate in a normal classroom (aka ADD / ADHD) should not be there. They are disruptive to other students that want to learn, and teachers have to devote most of their attention to the kids that are least likely to be able to learn in that setting.

I think we need a new concept for educating ADD/ADHD students. Trying to cram book knowledge in those kids is a frustrating, futile experience for all involved.

You're not a jerk. Just one disruptive kid can affect the entire classroom. Most of the time, it's the same kid. It's not fair to either party. The kid with the issues does need extra help and attention.

[Silverback]

Danny, you've to separate ADD from ADD with Hyperactivity.

ADD kids, like I was can learn, i made AB honor roll, graduated with honors, etc. I just had a hard time focusing and keeping up with my work. But I got through it, by learning how to study, even if it was 5 min before a test, etc.

Hyperactivity is disruptive, not just being ADD

[Leah]

Danny, you've to separate ADD from ADD with Hyperactivity.

ADD kids, like I was can learn, i made AB honor roll, graduated with honors, etc. I just had a hard time focusing and keeping up with my work. But I got through it, by learning how to study, even if it was 5 min before a test, etc.

Hyperactivity is disruptive, not just being ADD

Agreed...to an extent. It depends on the kids ability to self regulate. You were able to compensate and cope without it affecting others. Some are too immature and/or lack the coping skills to moderate or regulate themselves. (Even just ADD kids) If they are unable to recognize that even though they aren't able to pay attention, it doesn't mean that they can disrupt others, then they too have the propensity to be a distraction in class.

I'm not disagreeing with you, but it really is dependent on each individual kid. Of course, this goes to ALL kids-not just those with ADD/ADHD.

[midnight]

Parents aren't the only ones paying for children to go to school. Looked at your property taxes lately? I get to pay over 3k a year towards school funding and I don't even have kids.

Same here. Doesn't seem fair.

[aggie97]

So the public sector is just now going through what private industry has been enduring for a few years now huh? Why does every "higher up" in the school system need a secretary? Why haven't pay and benefits been slashed across the board sooner? Why are there not performance based wages?

I feel for you on the possibility of losing your job Leah, but after seeing every business owner I know having to lay off countless employees, struggle to pay the bills, and have to restructure their entire organization in the past years, I find it hard to empathize.

Yep. Public sector is about to tank and fill the unemployment lines. USPS is about to cut 25% of EAS and PCES employees across the board. Then on to craft employees and closing 2000 PO's...I have a list of the first 140 and they aren't all small offices. I fully expect to lose my gig by end of April...

Look at state of Wisconsin, and then the rest of the public sectors as sales and property taxes are tanking due to the private sector not spending money or paying taxes on homes getting foreclosed. It's the domino effect. We have yet to hit rock bottom but it's a comin'!

[Lone Sailor]

I saw on the news that they had a public meeting in Arlington last night about this.

[Leah]

I saw on the news that they had a public meeting in Arlington last night about this.

Yeah-the board meeting was last night. I haven't found any info yet, though.

[runin90lx]

my wife is supposed to start student teaching next year. hopefully being from a small town she wont have a problem getting in. if so..guess she can use her degree to sell pharmaceutical drugs haha

[GT Fanatic]

Texas is slowly turning into Mexico.