What exactly
does that mean and how does it apply to “typical” and “non-typical” peers?
IDEA requires the
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for a student to learn. That means for a child with disabilities it
allows them to be educated alongside their peers. Research shows that when students are able to
be in class with their non-disabled “typical” peers, not only does it benefit
the student socially, as well as connects them with their community, but it also
enhances academic achievement for students with disabilities.
I know in the
CASD, we see students who are disrupting the general education classroom, and we
think these students need to be out of the classroom and placed somewhere else. However, sometimes those placements are not the LRE. In determining the LRE, we have to look at the
student as a whole. If a student with
a disability is struggling to access his/her education with the right supports
in place, then it is time to look at a different placement for the
student. Often students with
challenging behaviors are the most difficult because we need to figure out the
why and the what that is causing the challenging behavior. More times then not, the public school will be
the LRE. The district must use determining
factors before a student can be placed in a different
placement or even a self-contained classroom such as Emotional Support,
Learning Support, etc. We want our
students with disabilities to be able to interact with their non-disabled peers
because this is how it is in the real world.
What about those students with challenging
behaviors and how they are disciplined? It can look like our students
with IEP’s are not disciplined; however, that isn’t
correct. You have heard the district
talking about PBIS. Similarly, many of our students with challenging behaviors have a PBSP (Positive Behavior Support Plan.) This plan is developed after an
assessment to determine why behaviors occur. I think what is difficult for people to
understand is that every behavior is going to be different with each student who
has challenging behaviors. They manifest
themselves differently.
Anecdotally, the behaviors we are most currently seeing are throwing chairs, cursing, hitting teachers, throwing objects. When these behaviors happen and a student is suspended, he/she can only be suspended a total of 10 days per school year. If he/she is to be suspended past 10 days, the district has to conduct a Manifestation Determination. Basically, it is a fancy way for the team to see if the behavior was a manifestation of the student’s disability. If it is determined to be a manifestation of the disability, it is critical to revise the plan or supports needed to help the student. When this happens the student is able to return to school. Thus, it seems parents feel that students are “protected” in a sense. If at the meeting, it is determined that the action was not a result of the students' disability, the student will either be suspended or the district may evaluate if a more appropriate placement is necessary.
What we need to understand that as Dr. Ross Greene states, a child “will do well if they can.” None of these children with challenging behaviors wake up each morning and think “Today, I am going to clear the classroom, or I am going to curse out a teacher. They have these behaviors because there is a lagging skill that needs to be identified and worked on.
Anecdotally, the behaviors we are most currently seeing are throwing chairs, cursing, hitting teachers, throwing objects. When these behaviors happen and a student is suspended, he/she can only be suspended a total of 10 days per school year. If he/she is to be suspended past 10 days, the district has to conduct a Manifestation Determination. Basically, it is a fancy way for the team to see if the behavior was a manifestation of the student’s disability. If it is determined to be a manifestation of the disability, it is critical to revise the plan or supports needed to help the student. When this happens the student is able to return to school. Thus, it seems parents feel that students are “protected” in a sense. If at the meeting, it is determined that the action was not a result of the students' disability, the student will either be suspended or the district may evaluate if a more appropriate placement is necessary.
What we need to understand that as Dr. Ross Greene states, a child “will do well if they can.” None of these children with challenging behaviors wake up each morning and think “Today, I am going to clear the classroom, or I am going to curse out a teacher. They have these behaviors because there is a lagging skill that needs to be identified and worked on.
Post By: Becky Harland