leadership in high schools

Alternative Education really is General Education based on the Part 100 regulations that govern education.  General Education includes alternative education and students with 504 plans and IEPs.  Did you know that some of the most creative, imaginative, artistic and hands on learners are Alternative Learners?  Read the Education Re-Imagined page which contains notes on Michael Dell, founder of Dell computer, Ecko, founder of the Ecko t-shirt logo, Bill Gates etc who all dropped out of high school because it was to rudimentary and confined.  These students then went on to do great things for society.  

 Alternative Education teachers may have been alternative learners but there is no doubt that they trained as general education specialists.  Integration of Special Needs students into general education programs has forced these teachers to accept the student with a 504 or IEP as a matter of law not of choice.  Is there still a bias out there that is maintained by general education teachers regarding the “level playing field” in student assessment ref. gen. ed. students and students with accomodations?  You bet ya! . 

I believe that one of America’s greatest aspects of its democracy is the emphasis placed on the Special Needs Student.  The fact that we are financially committed to this population speaks volumes about our morality and humanity.  In most other societies, this population is hidden, ignored or disposed of.  Debates can ensue about how much we as a nation spend on special education versus general education – student cost ratios in public schools, however that is not the subject of this blog entry. 

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