Palm Beach County clusters-Inclusion- and Budget Cuts

[Guest guest]

It appears as thought Palm Beach County is pushing ESE students out of the clusters into the regular Kindergarten class with limitted ESE support. They refuse to offer anyone a shadow and they will not committ to how many ESE students will be in this kindergarten inclusion class. I presume this is a cost saving tactic and the parents are elated to know their children will not remain in a cluster. I am afraid that my child will not get the necessary support to aid in a successful kindergarten and that I will have to fight again for support. Atleast in a cluster the classes are small and your child will get the individual attention. Any recommendations would be helpful.

From: Heifferon <gary00001msn (DOT) com>Subject: RE: Clusters and Budget CutsTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comDate: Monday, April 26, 2010, 4:53 PM

Liz,

And what happened to the cluster classes? Have students been moved? Can a gen ed teacher be demoted to an autism coach?

From: sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of LizzieSent: Monday, April 26, 2010 1:15 AMTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comSubject: Clusters and Budget Cuts

Hi,there are around 30 autism coaches in Broward, one for each cluster, and one for each center school (Bright and Quest). Most of them have five or more years as coaches and most of them have a Masters degree. Some are certified behavioralists as well. The majority have more than five years as autism teachers before they were hired as coaches. The coaches provide training and support for the cluster teachers, their paras, and the gen ed teachers. They also work closely with the ESE specialist, counselors, OT, PT, outside agencies, the school psychologist and the administration. The coaches have to attend monthly meetings with representatives from the district to receive info related to the cluster. This involves training in curriculum and instruction, assessment, ESE policies and recent research. This is also a forum for discussions related to their responsibilities.I think it is important to discuss these

issues because parents should know their teachers' and coaches' educational background. If you happen to have a coach whose background is questionable, you should meet with the school's principal to address it. The principal should absolutely be held accountable for who he or she chooses to hire in the cluster.Although this is a great discussion, I think it is taking place at the wrong time. Last week many cluster teachers and paras were laid off, and there is more to come. One school lost an entire cluster classroom. Cluster teachers have been told that there will be fewer teachers and therefore more students in each classroom. This will have a devastating effect on our children's progress. In this day and age, we need to embrace the educators and request that the principals stop laying off cluster teachers and paras. We also need to stop schools from laying off ESE specialist, especially at schools with clusters. I urge everybody to contact

local and state politicians and ask that they "save" the cluster educators. This is the issue we need to focus on now. Liz

[Guest guest]

It almost sounds like they are trying to prove the child belongs

in the cluster. Without the proper supports for the ESE student, nobody learns

and the teacher has a real problem class. That arrangement can't last too long.

 

From: sList

[mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010 12:14 PM

To: sList

Subject: Palm Beach County clusters-Inclusion- and Budget

Cuts

It appears as thought Palm Beach County is pushing ESE

students out of the clusters into the regular Kindergarten class with

limitted ESE support. They refuse to offer anyone a shadow and

they will not committ to how many ESE students will be in this kindergarten

inclusion class. I presume this is a cost saving tactic and the parents are

elated to know their children will not remain in a cluster. I am afraid that

my child will not get the necessary support to aid in a successful

kindergarten and that I will have to fight again for support. Atleast

in a cluster the classes are small and your child will get the individual

attention. Any recommendations would be helpful

..

From: Heifferon <gary00001msn (DOT) com>

Subject: RE: Clusters and Budget Cuts

To: sList@ yahoogroups. com

Date: Monday, April 26, 2010, 4:53 PM

Liz,

And what happened to

the cluster classes? Have students been moved?

Can a gen ed teacher

be demoted to an autism coach?

From: sList@ yahoogroups. com

[mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Lizzie

Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 1:15 AM

To: sList@ yahoogroups. com

Subject: Clusters and Budget Cuts

Hi,

there are around 30 autism coaches in Broward, one for each cluster, and

one for each center school (Bright and Quest). Most of them have five or

more years as coaches and most of them have a Masters degree. Some are

certified behavioralists as well. The majority have more than five years

as autism teachers before they were hired as coaches.

The coaches provide training and support for the cluster teachers, their

paras, and the gen ed teachers. They also work closely with the ESE

specialist, counselors, OT, PT, outside agencies, the school psychologist

and the administration. The coaches have to attend monthly meetings with

representatives from the district to receive info related to the cluster.

This involves training in curriculum and instruction, assessment, ESE

policies and recent research. This is also a forum for discussions

related to their responsibilities.

I think it is important to discuss these issues because parents should

know their teachers' and coaches' educational background. If you happen

to have a coach whose background is questionable, you should meet with

the school's principal to address it. The principal should absolutely be

held accountable for who he or she chooses to hire in the cluster.

Although this is a great discussion, I think it is taking place at the

wrong time. Last week many cluster teachers and paras were laid off, and

there is more to come. One school lost an entire cluster classroom.

Cluster teachers have been told that there will be fewer teachers and

therefore more students in each classroom. This will have a devastating

effect on our children's progress. In this day and age, we need to

embrace the educators and request that the principals stop laying off

cluster teachers and paras. We also need to stop schools from laying off

ESE specialist, especially at schools with clusters. I urge everybody to

contact local and state politicians and ask that they " save "

the cluster educators. This is the issue we need to focus on now.

Liz

[Guest guest]

It almost sounds like they are trying to prove the child belongs

in the cluster. Without the proper supports for the ESE student, nobody learns

and the teacher has a real problem class. That arrangement can't last too long.

 

From: sList

[mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010 12:14 PM

To: sList

Subject: Palm Beach County clusters-Inclusion- and Budget

Cuts

It appears as thought Palm Beach County is pushing ESE

students out of the clusters into the regular Kindergarten class with

limitted ESE support. They refuse to offer anyone a shadow and

they will not committ to how many ESE students will be in this kindergarten

inclusion class. I presume this is a cost saving tactic and the parents are

elated to know their children will not remain in a cluster. I am afraid that

my child will not get the necessary support to aid in a successful

kindergarten and that I will have to fight again for support. Atleast

in a cluster the classes are small and your child will get the individual

attention. Any recommendations would be helpful

..

From: Heifferon <gary00001msn (DOT) com>

Subject: RE: Clusters and Budget Cuts

To: sList@ yahoogroups. com

Date: Monday, April 26, 2010, 4:53 PM

Liz,

And what happened to

the cluster classes? Have students been moved?

Can a gen ed teacher

be demoted to an autism coach?

From: sList@ yahoogroups. com

[mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Lizzie

Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 1:15 AM

To: sList@ yahoogroups. com

Subject: Clusters and Budget Cuts

Hi,

there are around 30 autism coaches in Broward, one for each cluster, and

one for each center school (Bright and Quest). Most of them have five or

more years as coaches and most of them have a Masters degree. Some are

certified behavioralists as well. The majority have more than five years

as autism teachers before they were hired as coaches.

The coaches provide training and support for the cluster teachers, their

paras, and the gen ed teachers. They also work closely with the ESE

specialist, counselors, OT, PT, outside agencies, the school psychologist

and the administration. The coaches have to attend monthly meetings with

representatives from the district to receive info related to the cluster.

This involves training in curriculum and instruction, assessment, ESE

policies and recent research. This is also a forum for discussions

related to their responsibilities.

I think it is important to discuss these issues because parents should

know their teachers' and coaches' educational background. If you happen

to have a coach whose background is questionable, you should meet with

the school's principal to address it. The principal should absolutely be

held accountable for who he or she chooses to hire in the cluster.

Although this is a great discussion, I think it is taking place at the

wrong time. Last week many cluster teachers and paras were laid off, and

there is more to come. One school lost an entire cluster classroom.

Cluster teachers have been told that there will be fewer teachers and

therefore more students in each classroom. This will have a devastating

effect on our children's progress. In this day and age, we need to

embrace the educators and request that the principals stop laying off

cluster teachers and paras. We also need to stop schools from laying off

ESE specialist, especially at schools with clusters. I urge everybody to

contact local and state politicians and ask that they " save "

the cluster educators. This is the issue we need to focus on now.

Liz

[Guest guest]

It almost sounds like they are trying to prove the child belongs

in the cluster. Without the proper supports for the ESE student, nobody learns

and the teacher has a real problem class. That arrangement can't last too long.

 

From: sList

[mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010 12:14 PM

To: sList

Subject: Palm Beach County clusters-Inclusion- and Budget

Cuts

It appears as thought Palm Beach County is pushing ESE

students out of the clusters into the regular Kindergarten class with

limitted ESE support. They refuse to offer anyone a shadow and

they will not committ to how many ESE students will be in this kindergarten

inclusion class. I presume this is a cost saving tactic and the parents are

elated to know their children will not remain in a cluster. I am afraid that

my child will not get the necessary support to aid in a successful

kindergarten and that I will have to fight again for support. Atleast

in a cluster the classes are small and your child will get the individual

attention. Any recommendations would be helpful

..

From: Heifferon <gary00001msn (DOT) com>

Subject: RE: Clusters and Budget Cuts

To: sList@ yahoogroups. com

Date: Monday, April 26, 2010, 4:53 PM

Liz,

And what happened to

the cluster classes? Have students been moved?

Can a gen ed teacher

be demoted to an autism coach?

From: sList@ yahoogroups. com

[mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Lizzie

Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 1:15 AM

To: sList@ yahoogroups. com

Subject: Clusters and Budget Cuts

Hi,

there are around 30 autism coaches in Broward, one for each cluster, and

one for each center school (Bright and Quest). Most of them have five or

more years as coaches and most of them have a Masters degree. Some are

certified behavioralists as well. The majority have more than five years

as autism teachers before they were hired as coaches.

The coaches provide training and support for the cluster teachers, their

paras, and the gen ed teachers. They also work closely with the ESE

specialist, counselors, OT, PT, outside agencies, the school psychologist

and the administration. The coaches have to attend monthly meetings with

representatives from the district to receive info related to the cluster.

This involves training in curriculum and instruction, assessment, ESE

policies and recent research. This is also a forum for discussions

related to their responsibilities.

I think it is important to discuss these issues because parents should

know their teachers' and coaches' educational background. If you happen

to have a coach whose background is questionable, you should meet with

the school's principal to address it. The principal should absolutely be

held accountable for who he or she chooses to hire in the cluster.

Although this is a great discussion, I think it is taking place at the

wrong time. Last week many cluster teachers and paras were laid off, and

there is more to come. One school lost an entire cluster classroom.

Cluster teachers have been told that there will be fewer teachers and

therefore more students in each classroom. This will have a devastating

effect on our children's progress. In this day and age, we need to

embrace the educators and request that the principals stop laying off

cluster teachers and paras. We also need to stop schools from laying off

ESE specialist, especially at schools with clusters. I urge everybody to

contact local and state politicians and ask that they " save "

the cluster educators. This is the issue we need to focus on now.

Liz