A contingent of Oak Glen Middle School teachers addressed the Hancock County Board of Education Monday night. Reading a statement that exceeded the five minute speaker allowance, the teachers each read a portion of the statement to have the entire statement read and on the record.
The teachers expressed concern about a proposed change to place students who previously needed smaller, separate special education settings into full-time general education classes. Fields noted that she had requested a meeting with central office administration, but was denied.
Fields said that experienced educators strongly support inclusive practices and believe that many students benefit from access to the general education environment, however there is concern that a full-time placement for separate setting students…….without careful consideration of individual needs, may not serve every child effectively.
“Students who have historically required required more structured, small settings often rely on specialized instruction, reduced distractions and targeted supports that may be difficult to consistently provide in a full-classroom environment, The goal isn’t inclusion vs. pullout – it’s appropriate instruction with the right level of intensity and support,” said Fields.
While inclusion is an important and valuable practice, educators believe it is important to acknowledge research shows 100 % inclusion alone will not close the learning gap for all students and if the change, if implemented broadly, may not align with the individualized approach required by each students educational plan,
The speakers noted that the county are currently in the IEP (individualized educational plan) writing season and wonder if the impending change had been shared with the parents of students who will be affected,
Brooke Haynes, 8th-grade math teacher, also said she requested a meeting with Mr. Saunders and Mrs. Sauer and was denied,
“I am speaking tonight to express my concern about removing separate setting classroom in the middle school level. One part of being a teacher is standing up and speaking for all students who are unable to do this for themselves.”
She cited an example of a situation educators are facing next year. Student A is currently working at approximately a first grade math level and enrolled in 7th grade, In a separate setting, this student can continue learning skills that match current ability and move forward through the standards, Without the separate setting support, the student will be placed in an eighth-grade classroom for the next school year with expectations that assume mastery of many years of prior context.
The group offered the analogy of building a house. A contractor begins with a foundation before building the roof, Removing the separate classroom is similar to skipping the foundation and expecting the structure to stand anyway, Students cannot build advanced skills without the supprt that comes first.
