The Halton District School Board (HDSB) has offered some relief to the 700 children waiting on their backlog assessment testing list after the Ministry of Education reported to the Toronto Star that ‘Halton must treat its special education students fairly and fix its two year wait list’. Many in the community believe that it was only after public outcry from community members demanding action and the forced response that our most vulnerable had a partial solution presented.
Although trustees told the public last night that they were ‘proactively’ managing education issues, many feel it is too little too late.
The board has allocated $340,000 to assess 260 children before September. That still leaves far too many of our most needy children waiting but the community does feel empowered by what they say is their new sense of responsibility demanding accountability and action by the HDSB.
Although the board now states it is looking at a longer term strategy moving forward, the emphasis on delivering a new Primary Gifted program has pitted community members against each other.
Experts state that early identification is extremely important but debate still exists about when is early too early for spec ed identification as well as the fact that this philosophy would be more honourable if the same board had not left needy children on lists for years who continue to academically suffer while younger children jump the queue.
We hoped that the public outrage and press coverage resulting in the Ministry of Education finally speaking on the issue would force a revised method of delivering education for our community. Unfortunately after witnessing nothing short of a ‘love fest’ amongst trustees and a public scolding regarding the media coverage and praises amongst themselves regarding their proactive approach, one can only question how basic logic and math seems to have escaped the group.
Proactive
The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 |
pro·ac·tive / prōˈaktiv/ • adj. (of a person, policy, or action) creating or controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than responding to it after it has happened: be proactive in identifying and preventing potential problems.
Considering many of our spec ed children have waited excessive times on wait lists just to have their assessments done (we are not even talking about providing services) while this same board takes vast amounts of money out of the budget for other optional programming needs, etc….and that this year we have a wait list of approximately 700, last year approximately 650 and so on…..solving this after it went ‘viral’ seems anything but proactive.
So when they pat themselves on the back for doing such a good job, request reports for kids in crisis (only grade 1 and 2s), and inform us again that their new Primary Gifted testing activity and its impact has nothing to do with Spec Ed assessment testing wait time backlog, we can only conclude….why let the facts get in the way of good ‘spin’.
If nothing else, they need to stop sabotaging the efforts of those trying to solve the issues and fund the solutions in order to get good news out to the community. Instead, they let arrogance and ego rule the day.
“Proactively manageing education issues” ? Seriously ? Is that what our professional trustees said!
Here’s a word for them;
Irresponsible
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003
Pronunciation,
ɪˈɹəˈspαˈnsəˈbəˈl
Adjective
1. showing lack of care for consequences; “behaved like an irresponsible idiot”; “hasty and irresponsible action”
And to think my tax dollars pays their salaries just angers me…
Sadly the HDSB’s response to the problem of 700+ children waiting years for assessments was exactly as expected. Here is my perspective of the meeting at the HDSB on Wed. March 2nd.
The Trustees spent a tremendous amount of effort trying to convince the Media and parents in the gallery of what a wonderful job they are doing and what a fabulously progressive board we have. After sitting through a nauseating round of effusive self congratulations and patting each other on the back we were subjected to a condescending speech by Don Vrooman. In essence his message was: ‘thanks folks for bringing this to our attention, now, go away, keep quiet, play nice, don’t fight amongst yourselves, let us take care of things’. The fact that the Board’s decision to bump hundreds of children to give preferential treatment to a selected group is responsible for pitting one group of parents against the other was conveniently overlooked.
Kathryn Bateman-Olmstead demonstrated a complete lack of sensitivity by espousing the merits of early intervention then asking for a report to identify how many children on the list are in grade 1 or 2, and in what priority the wait list would be handled. Anyone with empathy can imagine what message that sent to parents in the gallery with children in grade 3 and up who have been on the list for over 3 years. (Yes folks, 3 years and more). In reality, as pointed out at the meeting, some children who were identified in early years were not actually put on the assessment list until grade 3, apparently a little bit of information they neglected to share with families, leaving parents with the impression that they have been on the list for far longer than 2 years.
It seems that Equity, Responsibility, Compassion, Sensitivity and Respect are not words or concepts which have a lot of meaning to Trustees. But then what would you expect from a group that puts a band-aid on a gaping wound that has been festering for years, after receiving unflattering attention from the media, Queens Park, the Ministry of Education and angry parents, and refers to it as being ‘Proactive’? That meeting was all about saving face and had nothing to do with taking responsibility and doing the right thing for the most vulnerable children they are supposed to represent. It seems business as usual.
FYI, I am not the parent of a Special Education child, however, I am an Oakville parent who is disgusted with the HDSB’s elitist system of education. There are many parents who feel as I do and who have no faith in this Board and Trustees
Thanks Tina and Maria for commenting. Maria, your observations were shared by many that we talked to following the meeting. The ‘scolding’ and ‘praising each other’ section and being told how proactive the board was regarding handling the matter facing the community hit a particularly offensive note for those who attended the meeting. Proactive was brought up enough that it seemed so ridiculous to many in light of where we are today that it almost provided comical relief. Sometimes you have to really laugh hard when the situation is either so sad or so stressful. It was so ridiculous to many in the audience that to be honest they acknowledged they started tuning the conversation out a bit. When parent either have kids so affected by the decisions made at the board (either not having their child’s serious learning issues address, experience the devastating emotional/academic consequences or have their child affected as the classroom and teaching staff wrangle with the burden of lack of support) the arrogance and isolation of the trustee decisions, many quite frankly find it nothing short of outrageous and disgusting. What struck so many I talked to both immediately after the meeting and the next day was how desperate the board’s conversation really was and the level of ‘grandstanding’ that evening as it was evident they had and were being reported on (and that is not even about Oakville Chit Chat but the other reporters in the paper. The overall comments from those leaving were that they felt like they had been scolded like children and that we as residents just really did not understand……
The sad part for them is that if they had been able to control their ego and stop the ‘damage control spin’ both in their compliments but even in what they requested trying to emphasize their ‘concern’ they could have actually gotten more support that even if late and too much that some compromise for at least testing had been reached. I along with others went truly believing that the entire backlog would be cleared up but we still very much were grateful for the children being served.
They did a great disservice to a new Director who seemed to try to come up with some solution (could be argued all this happened after so much debate) but the arrogance was evident and it even ruined the moment for the board themselves.
The comment as well to produce yet more documents with data covering only grade 1 and 2 was shocking. I actually had to confirm it with the other reporters. Did not go unnoticed by any of us reporting on it. Realizing later that this ‘early intervention’ spin may be tied to, it just seemed to many to once again be leaving children behind because they only focus on the youngest.
I just received an email this evening from a resident who met with a teacher in another board who stated it was ridiculous to be testing in SK for gifted. We have heard this so often ….but the spin is now only on the crisis of the young.
Early intervention is great but….with what 400 or so kids still left on a list, do they not deserve to be tested at some point soon. Because they are now in grade 3, 4, 5 onward where bullying, social stigma etc. becomes so bad for children who don’t fit in …the age obsession is obscene for many including some educators and doctors. All I could think of during the meeting was they need to go to a youth crisis centre to see the casualties of those who fell through the cracks from an education system that caters only to those now entering school. As someone said to me “When you throw crumbs to a starving crowd ….they will claw each others eyes out just to survive.’ That is how many now feel.
Their policies and decision have pitted need against need as we justify why we should be treated equal and have a right to be treated that way”. Sad day indeed….
Our board thinks we look progressive but we are hearing from some even in the US now following our story, we look ridiculous and immoral. Not something any of us really feel proud of…..sad …sad ….sad.
Thank you Maria. We have to agree with your observations. The same observations were noted by everyone we talked to for comment following the meeting. Could not agree more.
I am angry,its hurting to know what these so called directors doing for special need kids waiting to get psy assessment and the board do have much budget?where the hack then my tax dollars going
in the drain…..
oops sorry meant to write ‘do not have much budget’
I think this is making other communities take a closer look at what the wait lists are like in their Boards. Have you read what is going on in Ottawa? Teachers there are told NOT to even put more students on the list! Don’t let us ever get to the point! Were people asleep? The Board moving under the radar? http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Four+year+wait+special+assessments/4291567/story.html
If the Minister of Education spoke up and told Halton to wake up at the wheel, what are the citizens of Ottawa thinking? Will our government address this province wide issue now?
Someone commented that even after you get an assessment that does not even guarantee delivery of service. Great – then what? I know first hand how it all works. I would also venture a guess that the numbers of students in our Board who need spec ed are not accurately represented by that 700 number. We have many more students who need spec ed services. How many of us say forget it and bypass the line altogether – go private. At not a small cost either. We were not willing to risk missing out on early intervention and so made some big sacrifices to get our child tested. Then it doesn’t get a whole let easier or better – just because you have an IEP. Do you know how many IEP’s your school SERT (Spec Ed Resource Teacher) has?? It’s crazy. We are doing a disservice to our students. Who can make changes in those numbers??
What is the solution?
You are right, we went private TWICE, we paid hundred of dollars bringing the psychologist to the school to explain the assessments to the principle and teachers. NOTHING HAPPENED. The IEP was made, not followed. Teachers do not know what to do. Do not understand differences of learning styles.There are no services for my child.
I can not accept my child is the only one in need of caring and educated teachers, who are capable to identify and implement a proffessional individual plan. The problem in the Halton District school Boards is very serious. The problem starts from the top, and it has a ripple effect. If the top doesn’t see the importance of “equal education rights to all”, why would the priciples and teachers…
How do we make them accountable? How do we get the media involved? Is the Oakville Beaver interested in writing important articles and confront real issues in the community?
How does CBC learns about this???
What is the solution??
I read in Additude about similar problem,the mom decided to put her child into semi private school for special children,she has to meet with school personnel to tell the reasons of child transfer and the school has to provide funding for the child in semi private school,it happens in America
the only thing is how can people like us get united as a team or group to actually stand up and speak out,we all need to say something about it to schools,until we don’t do meetings with school they won’t do,we have to email our concerns to Special Education Advisory Committee together
We all have to fight for our kids Right to learn!
Sorry. I didn’t explain my self well. What I meant to say was that twice, we had a psychological assessment done privately instead of waiting for the school to put us on the wait list. The wait list at the time was 2 years old.(I was told)
In fact, the teachers insisted there was nothing wrong with my child, they labeled my child”s disabilities and emotional situation: laziness. This was to me an indication of how teachers and even resource teachers sometimes, were badly trained to identify their students needs. This is why we ALSO hired the psychologist to come into the school and meet with personnel to explain the result of the assessment to them. This was very expensive and unfortunately, school didn’t seem to “get it”. (Money not well spent.)
And, you are right. People can make “noise” but if it’s not “organize noise” and if we can’t find a way to make them accountable, nothing will change.
What is the solution? Which organization will listen? Do you think it’s the SEAC?
Why aren’t the school councils working side by side with the parents on this? It’s entirely within the role of a good school council to advocate for parents.
This backlog didn’t just happen – it took a long time to reach the level it has. I wouldn’t be surprised if at this point the trustees are only telling you what they’re being fed by their administrative masters.
They seem to have lost all concept of who they’re there for and to who they are accountable.
School councils have tried to work on these issues but the power lies with the board and/or trustees. It has been a real education as to how much power the trustees have even above the director it seems. The entire process and who has what power needs to be reviewed and changed to ensure standardized education is provided, abuse does not occur at the trustee level and we are suggesting term limits for trustees (max 2 terms). In theory it is wonderful that local communities offer programs but lets face it…communism in theory is great too…in practice it is a nightmare. An oversight board should be formed with an ombusman (with real power) should be put in place. No local schools should be taken for optional programming especially where a community needs the school, busing should be reduced, etc. Halton’s educational decisions are not proactive or impressive. For many they are creating the have’s and have nots streaming the best and brightest out of the classroom. Oversight and government control needs to be ensured. In addition, conflict of interest must also be changed to not just include actually receiving money. The entire system needs radical changes at a minimum provincial wide. The new Coalition for Quality Education (not part of any union) is a new formed movement that will be going after political changes that are real…..
Pleae tell me more about the “Coalition for Quality Education”
Thank you
The Coalition is a movement of parents and adults who want political change in education to better serve our children. In public education, as taxpayers we have the right to expect accountability, accessibility and fairness not just for a select group but for all children. If you are a special interest group wanting something different at the cost of others than we believe that is the role of private education. In many areas across Canada and the US, the system has inept political rules allowing the power in the select hands that do not necessarily represent the majority any longer or there is no accountability or area to go such as an ombusman to seek change and/or resolution. In Ontario, for instance, standardization of education (e.g. French) does not exist, community schools are taken away, trustees vote on programming without proper oversight by Ministry, etc. Complaints have gone unheard or headed as politicians run for cover from the real issue. Our children, how they are taught, what the are taught and where is hijacked without oversight re: decisions. Budgets are issues as busing is increased, enrollment is not protected in dual schools, etc. Our most vulnerable children are left without services or testing while millions are spent on busing communities everywhere. For many common sense has left the building while only select groups are serviced. Change needs to now occur at the grass roots level forcing the many levels of government that have hid and not addressed issues. Fundamental changes re: length of terms re: boards, conflict of interest rules reviewed etc. It needs to be run more like a business where those in charge are accountable for what they deliver. The Coalition is not affiliated with any government or union. It is a movement for the people by the people. Information and a website will be coming shortly and social media (e.g Facebook, Twitter, etc. will follow). Now across the globe people are standing up for basic human dignity and rights – why should our children be any different.
Is there any way I can Coalition movement contact details?Is in oakville…
It is a Coalition for Canadians but they are starting with information initially based in Ontario and Halton and expanding as they go. Their site is about to be launched and when that happens we will run an article and link to it. It should be happening this week or next.