The teachers have had it

 The Teachers Have Had it!

The teachers have had it and they are not taking it anymore!   There is a new law in Iowa that goes into effect at the start of this school year.  From now on, if a child is suspended, the classroom teacher has to agree to take that child back into his/her classroom.   If the teacher refuses, the school has to find another space for the child.  That provision is particularly onerous since it was put into place allegedly because of bad behavior on the part of children with special needs.  So where might these kids go?

According to administrators, student behaviors among special ed students mainly violence and aggression are causing teachers to leave their positions.  Two years ago, there were 200 special ed vacancies at the end of the school year.   This past year, there were over 600!   The bad behaviors, according to teachers, are impacting not only teachers but other students who are trying to learn.

One teacher testified before the legislature that one student’s bad behavior can disrupt not only the class but the whole school.  The new law (and it is a law, not just a school regulation) also gives teachers three days of paid leave if they are assaulted by a child.  

It is probably fair to wonder why, if the kids are receiving an education appropriate to their needs as required by federal law, they are having so many behavioral issues.  

That question is probably answered in another requirement of the law-TEACHERS ARE REQUIRED TO READ THE STUDENTS’ IEP.  And we thought that was already a requirement. Hmmm, might be an answer in there somewhere.