My cyberbuddy Kim has a post up on the MOMformation blog: Why choose public school? I commented that the public schools are working hard to support each child but their biggest challenge is learning differences. Learning differences can effect everyone from the smart child that has social issues or may have trouble with conventional learning to the child that has academic challenges.
Teachers that have been out of school for years did not get specific training in learning differences. And there is a infrastructure for when kids have a specific diagnosis (IEP) – but most learning differences do not have a "diagnosis" that is IEP worthy. Even when a kid has an IEP in place, schools struggle to find a way to implement then. And insurance does not usually cover the type of diagnostics that parents need to help understand their child’s challenges (can you say "out of pocket"). Private schools are smaller and have more funding to deal with these issues, but I imagine they are also scrambling to put programs in place.
I feel the answer lies in the philosophies laid out by Mel Levine – who has a site and book called "All Kinds Of Minds". I commented on MOMinformation that I wish he was Secretary of Education… Nothing against the current Secretary – but I would like to see Mel Levine’s programs at every school, public or private.
Thanks for your comment and the mention. I watched one his videos a few years back. I can’t remember the specifics, but I do recall that it was very eye-opening. I’ll have to check out his site.
Having taught in public schools and worked at a private school….the biggest problems private schools face is that they don’t have to take a child with “issues” meaning IEP’s ,etc. Because of that they often don’t have people to deal with those issues meaning speech teachers etc.
I am not saying that public school have GOOD people to deal with it…far from it. It is such a catch 22 and I feel bad for parents who have to deal with trying to make it all work. It is a job in itself.
I went to private school, and my son goes to public school. From my experiences, public schools have more of a grasp on identifying and addressing learning problems. Just MHO
yes – public schools have a whole system set up for dealing with learning issues (SST, IEP). But I think they should get more support – with training on learning differences. Teachers are at the front lines so they should get all the support they need – public or private. The private schools don’t need to accept kids with learning differences but some private schools are hiring learning specialists…
That is why I mentioned Mel Levine – he has a training program called “schools attuned” which I would hope that all schools could have access to. Especially since many kids have learning issues these days (for some reason).
And when I say learning issues – I don’t mean academic issues. Some bright kids have learning issues ranging from writing to focusing on tasks they feel are boring. If they are mis-understood these bright kids can develop behavior issues.. Other kids may have dyslexia or “official” learning issues.