Dec 28, 2018, Twin Falls (ID) Magic Valley: The Twin Falls School District helps special education students stay in class with their peers https://magicvalley.com/news/local/education/the-twin-falls-school-district-helps-special-education-students-stay/article_ec8aa317-6943-5a29-92f4-29c666031495.html
… The Twin Falls School District special education officials want children who have special needs to have as much interaction with their peers in general education classrooms as possible, while still receiving the interventions they need. Educators say it helps boost students’ confidence and academic performance and provides social benefits.
Instead of pulling students out of class frequently to receive special education services, the school district keeps students — including Amy — in their general education classroom by “pushing in” special education teachers and paraeducators to help them. …
The special education “push-in” model is a big change for Twin Falls’ elementary schools, but that kind of integration was already happening in middle and high schools. The new emphasis at elementary schools started last school year, but a couple of schools are just now transitioning. It’s a model some other south-central Idaho school districts are already using. …
The push-in model isn’t used with students who have severe needs and spend their entire day in an extended resource classroom. But some go to elective classes….
At Oregon Trail Elementary, there are two special education teachers — Kristen Russell for kindergarten through second grades and Holcomb for third through fifth grades — due to a large number of students who qualify for services. …

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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