William Hughes
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Collier Parents Seeking ESE Reform
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Promises Exceptional Student Education?"The District School Board of Collier County is committed to providing high quality educational experiences enabling all students to achieve their maximum potential in a safe, positive environment that develops good character and respect for diversity." "The mission of Exceptional Student Education in Collier County Public Schools is to maintain the expectation that each student will reach their highest level of achievement. A collaborative, child-centered team consisting of Collier County Public School staff members, families, agencies, and other support professionals will enable all Exceptional Students to realize their full potential." Despite the promises implied by these Mission Statements, it is disturbingly clear that Collier County Schools are failing the most vulnerable of our children. Recent news reports have profiled the most egregious (but certainly not unusual) cases. Furthermore, Superintendent Dennis Thompson's Consolidated Plan is already implementing devastating cuts to the Exceptional Student Education Program. The guaranteed results? Increased numbers of ESE students will not receive the support and assistance they need and are entitled to under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, and Most assuredly, there will be countless more violations of Federal Civil and Educational laws with the associated litigation and liability costs to the District. There is a growing community of families enmeshed in battle with this notorious bureaucracy, and on the wrong end of an elected government that values The Three P's of Life: Pork, Politics, and PR - far more than the health and welfare of our most precious and vulnerable citizens. We began our individual voyages through the Collier morass, thinking of the educational system as equally concerned partners in our children's welfare. We know better now. Through the election process, the community bestows the District with certain powers and entrusts that those powers will not be abused or misused against the community (parents and students). It is time to neutralize this abuse of power. We must work together to effect much needed changes that create a partnership between the The District School Board of Collier County/Exceptional Student Education Program and parents, rather than the current attitude of antagonism and intimidation the District employs by default. The curtain of secrecy and intimidation has begun to fall. The District School Board of Collier County/Exceptional Student Education Program has been able to maintain the status quo because each family has been standing alone against them. We believe in action through partnership when important community issues arise. Networking, organizing, and working together can result in extraordinary accomplishments. We are inviting parents and caregivers of children who are (or have been) short-changed by the District School Board of Collier County/ Exceptional Student Education Program to complete the Contact and Consent Form available on this site. In this way, we can join together in a united front, and no one will have to stand alone again. Thank you. Sincerely,
Collier County Parents Seeking ESE Reform © 2006 |
