Sept 23, 2019, Chalkbeat: Here’s what we heard about special education in Newark after hearing from parents, advocates, and educators https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/newark/2019/09/23/listening-tour-2019/ Newark residents gathered Saturday to discuss one of the central issues facing the city’s schools: how to improve special education…. Another question that we posed to the group: “What are some of the challenges with special education in Newark?” Some said that not all teachers and classroom aides have been properly trained to serve students with special needs — especially when they’re placed in general-education classrooms. Others added that some schools lack the specialized personnel and other resources that certain students with disabilities require. Many of the participants said the way students’ special education plans are handled should be more transparent and efficient, and there should be a simpler way for parents to access information about special education.
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.
Loss of Brain Trust features over 9,000 news stories published worldwide since January, 2017
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