July 31, 2018, Louisville (KY) Courier—Journal: Here are the 8 things JCPS would give up to avoid a state takeover https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/education/2018/07/31/jcps-takeover-deal-what-district-would-give-up-kentucky-education/874153002/ The state's offer for Jefferson County Public Schools to avoid a full takeover would require the district to cede control over how students are assigned to schools and early childhood education, according to a copy of the proposal obtained by the Courier Journal on Tuesday The offer, dated July 16, also would give the state "enhanced oversight and responsibility" over special education, restraint and seclusion of students, transportation, staffing at low-performing schools, building maintenance, and career and technical education…. In his recommendation, Lewis cited a month long state audit that noted concerns that included physical restraint of students, poor achievement results and issues with the student-assignment plan. … Lewis said in an interview that aired on KET in June that "nothing short of state management" of the district "will ensure the children in that district are protected and served well." … Kennedy said he'd urge both sides to get clarity on exactly what the agreement would look like. For instance, he said, what if there is an issue that could be seen as a special-education issue but also as an issue that does not fall into the "enhanced oversight" areas?...
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Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.
Anne Dachel, Media editor, Age of Autism
http://www.ageofautism.com/media/
(John Dachel, Tech. assist.)
What will happen in another 4 years? How can we go on like this? This is a national (and international) problem of monumental proportions. We have an entire new class of children who cannot be accommodated by the system: many are manifestly neurologically impaired. Meanwhile, the government and the medical profession sleep on regardless.
John Stone,
UK media editor, Age of Autism
The generation of American children born after 1990 are arguably the sickest generation in the history of our country.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
It seemed to me that with rising autism prevalence, you’d also see rising autism costs to society, and it turns out, the costs are catastrophic.
They calculated that in 2015 autism cost the United States $268 billion and they projected that if autism continues at its current rate, we’re looking at one trillion dollars a year in autism costs by 2025, so within five years.
Toby Rogers, PhD, Political economist
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