June 15, 2017, WHEC News (NY): Rochester schools seek new direction, outside help, for special education http://www.whec.com/news/rochester-special-education-outside-help-new-direction/4515098/
Rochester school system leaders declared the district has begun reforms to its special education programs after an independent report that documented widespread inadequacies. …
Rochester Schools’ referral rate for special education has increased sharply (93%) in the past three years but 36% of the students referred in 2015-2016 were found ineligible.
Rochester schools identifies students with disabilities, emotional disturbance and “other health impairment” at a rate well above the national average, 55%, 38% and 233% respectively.
Black students were disproportionately likely to be suspended, and categorized as “other health impairment.”
The district doesn’t have sufficient systems to identify students at risk, or to deal with students of multiple races and ethnicities.
A lack of services results in students being moved from school to school to receive special education, or moved out of the Rochester school system altogether to other agencies. …
Deane-Williams also predicted more training for educators, …
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.