For thousands of kids, summer officially ends in the next few weeks as a new school year begins. My own grandchildren, like many others, are out buying new school supplies, book bags, and just the right outfits for that first day of school. And now as an adult I realize how important those first weeks of school are to students. Our schools actually become homes away from homes where children meet new people and learn new ideas and skills that will impact the rest of their lives. What happens to them in schools plays a significant role in who they become, and that is why it is so important for parents to choose the best schools for their children, especially children with disabilities.
When I grew up, there were just a few options: the local/neighborhood community school or one of the parochial schools scattered around the city, but now multiple options are available to parents. Students can still attend the local community schools, parochial schools, charter schools, private schools, home-school, or they can study on-line. The choices can be overwhelming and it will take time to research them all because what works for one student does not work for all. Because CORE is about working with families and individuals with disabilities, I want to highlight what may be important for them.
First, it’s important for parents to know if a school offers the services to meet the needs of their child’s disability. Unfortunately, this can be tricky because all state funded community schools must be ADA compliant with full accessibility for wheelchairs or other modifications. Community schools must also provide and follow 504 plans and IEPs for students with emotional and learning disabilities. According to www.understood.org any private school which accepts federal funding must comply with federal laws which require specific modifications for students with disabilities. However, parochial (religious schools) which do not receive federal funding, do not need to make these accommodations. It is really important for families to sit down to review what services your child will receive at any given school.
Once a family navigates what accommodations will be made at a school, it is also helpful to research and to talk to people about the school. Many schools post their grades on the website which measure them according to how they meet certain state requirements like test scores, attendance, etc. the previous year. If families cannot find this information, ask. Also, families should check about extras. For example,I have a nephew with learning disabilities who is a genius with robotics. He hates school but he knows he must keep his grades up to be on the robotic club. Sometimes these extras are what keep students engaged.
Next, it is important for families with children with disabilities to maintain contact with the school by attending back to school night, going to student conferences, joining the PTSA, or attending any other school functions. This gives families an opportunity to get to know the people who have direct contact with their children everyday and also a voice in their childrens’ education.
We at CORE are excited for all the students who will be starting a new school year. We hope you have all the success you deserve, and for the students with disabilities, we will keep advocating for you to find success outside the classroom.
