this evening's ongoing debate

[Guest guest]

I have to make a few comments here (I'm on digest version so some of

these are delayed):

On a lighter note, if we can't beat them, join them. Create a TAKS

test for social skills; they'll bend over backwards to teach to the

test.

As for football and drill teams and all sports, I'm counting on my

middle son getting a basketball scholarship; that leaves more money

at home to make up for what is lacking in services once they become

adults. And at the public high school my son just graduated from,

they have the Dream Team, which is open to any student who qualifies

for special ed and they participate with everything the football team

does. They are support for the trainers, the coaches, and the

players. They attend practices, ride the bus with the team to all

games, both home and away, and they also had to go out and work for

the money to purchase their state championship rings. They are a

part of that community. Because of Special Olympics, my son earned a

letter jacket. It was presented to him at a pep rally by the

football team and he sat on the floor with the entire team. He never

chose to participate in the Dream Team, but a lot of his friends

did. And when they print the state championship t-shirts, the dream

team is listed right along with everyone else. The coach won't have

it any other way. And this is the team that is ranked as the #1 high

school team in the nation; it would be very easy to stop that program

and focus on all the national attention they're getting, but the

coach won't allow it. In this case, it's a learning situation for

everyone involved. In every situation, it all goes back to the

people in charge.

As for vouchers, I have no opinion one way or another. I can see

both sides of the argument. Perhaps a mandate that an ISD must

spend less on attorneys to fight parents than they spend on training

for teachers, staff, and administrators would be a consideration.

And please, be civil here. I can get enough grief in person without

reading it here.

Okay, I got that off my chest; , a whopper of a thank you to

you for everything you do for this board.

Trisha Rice