Comments on: Educating Joseph – A New Chapter

By: David McDonald

David McDonald — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:42:09 +0000

Zarwen… we were awarded $19,000 dollars remedy for PPS failure to provide a “free appropriate public education” (FAPE), which we used to send Joseph to Sylvan Learning Center for over 1 and 1/2 years, so in that light we were extremely successful. Sadly, The whimpy ALJ failed to prosecute on her “perjury” warning, which in my mind will always remain a loss.

By: Zarwen

Zarwen — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:19:43 +0000

But, sadly, the success story has nothing to do with PPS. In fact, it sounds like they got off scot-free, since they never made good on the “remedy” that they were ordered to provide. That is why they keep screwing families over—because they get away with it every time.

Thank you, David, for letting us all know that there can be a happy ending—if we are willing to leave behind a failing system.

By: Carrie Adams

Carrie Adams — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:59:48 +0000

Aww David, don’t make me show my sensitive side. It could hurt my reputation. One of my greatest regrets as an activist is that we failed to celebrate our past successes. We need to take time to celebrate because it gives us the energy to move ahead. My faith and confidence in PPS has hit a new low so I’m in need of a success story. Your story has been inspirational. Thanks again for sharing.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:11:19 +0000

Oh dang I hope that isn’t the agency I work for

By: David McDonald

David McDonald — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:38:05 +0000

Stephanie… I don’t want to say who facilitated Joseph’s PCP here, because they belong to an agency that I believe to be a “fund sucker” of money for people with developmental disabilities in Oregon.

Carrie… Maybe we just didn’t know any better than to take on a school district in due process. Maybe our desire to see justice served outwieghed our fears. Or maybe… just maybe; I was doing something for my sister, who I loved a lot. She was never able to fight such a battle on her own. And when I told her I would help her son move from childhood to manhood, I meant it on a very deep level. With the help of a supportive life partner, we did just that.

Thank you Carrie for reprinting this on your blog. You are someone I’m honored to call my friend. I admire you for your work around school equity and other social causes.

By: Carrie Adams

Carrie Adams — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:17:57 +0000

David, thank you for sharing your story. I love that you and Suzanne persisted in making sure that Joseph was getting what he needed despite the incompetence and deception by PPS staff. That kind of parent involvement can be so exhausting and PPS staff know it. Sometimes it’s hard for people to believe that “professionals” can be so deceptive but give them a few years in the system and they’ll find out pretty quickly. I’m glad Joseph is doing well.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 06:20:42 +0000

Who did Joseph’s person centered plan? Aren’t they wonderful! I update my daughter’s person centered plan for every IEP and her teachers have said that this plan is more helpful than the IEP. My daughter attended Nike Summer Academy and after 4 days they called me having some troubles. Turned out that PPS did not send her IEP to the summer program that has the person centered plan attached to it. I sent it to her and she called me to tell me how much of a difference it made for them. I facilitated a plan for a child at our K-8 that was at risk for a self-contained placement and my fingers are still crossed but the feedback on the plan was really good. The SUN school teacher was by far the very best informant and it was so amazing to watch the collaboration happening. I sure do love a happy ending