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It not only varies from state to state, but from district to district! Our previous district had no such programs, but they also didn't have the number of students to make a program like this one possible.
Our district has magnet schools, where you can send students to another building in the district for various types of programs. Many of the students are bussed into this program (which is only 3 miles from our house, while our neighborhood school is about 1.5 miles) At first I was very resistant to the idea. But I had seen how full-time mainstreaming doesn't always work past 1st grade or so. Angela was fully included in preschool-1st grade, and did great. But there is a HUGE jump in academics in 2nd grade here, and she was just not able to do it. Even sitting through a 2nd grade science discussion about the solar system was far too much for her. But at the time we were in another district and in our building (I worked in the same building) she was the only student with significant needs other than just learning disabilities or Title I services.
So anyway, when we moved here she was on homebound services due to her medical issues at the time. The last 6 weeks of last year she went back only 1/2 days. For 3 months I had felt the district pushing the issue of sending her to the magnet school, which made me even more determined to send her to the neighborhood school instead. Finally I did a "day in the life of Angela" so I could see what her day would be like at school. OMG....I was bored to death and I'm an adult. I couldn't imagine putting her in there. Then, at the advice of the ST who I really liked, we visited the "other school". WOW! When we got there, the kids were sitting down having a group OT session. Angela walked in like she knew everyone, grabbed a chair and sat down, and announced, "Ok guys! Whatchya do'in?"
I have been thrilled to death with this program. There are small things I've had to correct, or ask of changes too. And last week I did see some things about her math program that REALLY need changing. But her staff is FANTASTIC and more than willing to work with me on whatever issue comes up. Maybe I'm lucky, I don't know. I just wish everyone's kid could get Angela's teachers. Her mainstream teacher is just as good, and Angela is included in everything that she can be. Sometimes she goes and it proves to be too frustrating for her, and she makes a quick exit.
Also, we weren't really given a "choice" about which room (MMI vs SPI ) to put her in. It's really based on the students functioning levels, etc. But the kids who are in the SPI rooms have MUCH more significant medical needs than Angela. Almost all are in wheelchairs, standers, etc, with little to no communication skills, traches, etc. I have no idea where the cognitive skills are, but I'm assuming pretty low.
Of the kids in Angela's class, I know 2 have Autism spectrum disorders, (both very verbal and very social) 1 has CP and some cognitive issues, 1 has Apraxia and is completely non-verbal but uses a dynovox, and a few more who's issues I'm not as familiar with. All the kids are ambulatory with the exception of one who uses a wheelchair when outside of the classroom. All function at or about the same level as Angela. I'd put her right about the middle of the class. But she's also the only 3rd grader, which makes her the youngest in the group. Next year 4 will move on, and new kids will be coming up from the younger room.
Our middle school is NOT set up the same way, and I'm already feeling nervous about how it will work. Only 2 more years...wow....
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~Leah~
mom to Noah 18, Tyler 17,Angela 9 (DS)
downcues.com
   
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03-04-2006 09:11 PM
