Copyright 2000 Plain Dealer Publishing Co.
The
Plain Dealer
April 29, 2000 Saturday, FINAL / ALL
SECTION: EDITORIALS & FORUM; Pg. 10B
LENGTH: 293 words
HEADLINE:
SEVERELY DISABLED STUDENTS NEED MORE THAN MAINSTREAMING
BYLINE: by MARY CONROY
DATELINE: WESTLAKE
BODY:
Regarding "Teachers lack skills to instruct many students with disabilities"
(April 12):
Why do school districts continue to place handicapped
children in schools that are not functional? I wonder if the public realizes
that because of the Individuals With Disabilities Education
Act, as far as educating disabled children is concerned, we are taking
a giant step back 30 years. School districts are placing all but the severely
disabled in "regular" schools not equipped to handle the majority of these
children. The U.S. Department of Education has just stated that few teachers are
trained to instruct students with disabilities.
Because of the increased
enrollment of the disabled in the public schools, the Cuyahoga County Board of
Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities is beginning to close its
schools for clients 6 through 21 years old. In June 2003, the Westlake
Developmental Center is scheduled to close its classrooms. As enrollment
continues to plummet, I'm sure at least one of the remaining two schools will
close also. Where are the advocates for our children? They certainly are not at
the Cuyahoga County board, among the county commissioners or in Ohio's
legislature. I have written to them all.
The students who can
communicate, eventually be on their own and have jobs and friends definitely are
entitled to a public education with their peers. But what about the others? They
need more than socialization.
My son is a student at the Westlake
Developmental Center. I shudder to think of how his life would be if he were
placed in a Cleveland public school (the district in which we lived until he was
12 years old). I thank God for the people who realize the need for special
schools for such special children.
COLUMN: LETTERS
LOAD-DATE: April 30, 2000 
