For many parents and their children, the current condition within today’s schools often feels like buying shoes; one is trying to find the right fit or match. However, the greatest challenge comes in the form of a fascinating dynamic taking place: As schools move toward nationalized “Common Core” standards, increasing accountability assessments, and more complex teacher evaluation systems, with tighter controls and restrictive guidelines impacting the overall culture of American schools, our children are expressing a wider band-width of interests, talents, and challenges like never before. So on one-hand, the system is offering fewer options for students with more standards to follow; at the same time, our students are presenting an extraordinary set of needs, issues, and concerns requiring additional focus on relationship-building, meaning-centered instruction, and alternative educational models. Simply, we are asking more kids to walk within the context of one-size-fits all!
Nevertheless, there are options and in some situations, the best fit, or match, may be found outside of the traditional public school model. For example, numbers of students with an IEP (individualized education plan via Special Education) are able to access a private school education through their public school due to non-public agency placement. This is a fairly complex process. However, it happens more than most would imagine. Specifically, when the public school IEP (intervention) team determines that the services and supports offered within the public school program is not able to meet the needs of the student, the recommendation for non-public agency support is an option. For example, this past, year, one of my client’s children was placed at a private school with 35 total students. Due to her unique social and emotional profile, she is unable to attend a traditional Middle School due to the “fight or flight” natural response she experiences when she feels overwhelmed when she is in the midst of a large number of students and staff at the Middle School. As a result of this placement, with smaller class-size, her parents have seen an amazing transformation for their daughter is not having to experience the intensity of anxiety and the feeling of being overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Another family I worked with recently, who’s son was being suspended regularly for outburst-like behaviors, has been placed at a school known for one to one instructional systems. For a variety of reasons, he struggled with traditional programs including specialized behavior programs and classrooms. However, when he was placed in a private school, featuring relationship-centered programming through one to one instruction , the behaviors immediately went away. As a result, his overall personality has shifted for he is not having to live each day based upon “fight or flight” survival mode. His parents are grateful for this transformation.
These situations, like shoes, do not fit everyone. Nor are they appropriate for all. However, the intent here is to present the idea that there ARE OPTIONS and these alternative pathways are available if resources within the traditional program have been tried and discovered as unsuccessful. For more information, give us a call at 206 914 0975 and let’s see if we can assist you on this path.