“GOT THINKING CAP?” 11-2-05

Is there a Thinking Cap in the House? In the Senate? In a Court? In the classroom? There seems to be a huge shortage of thinking caps in our area. My next question would have to be..... “Got Civil Rights?”

My son has Aspergers syndrome. It is affectionately called the “geek syndrome”. He has a raw IQ score of 122 and looks like any mainstream kid. That’s where he went wrong. Looking “disability free and having and IQ of 122”, just means we can “ignore your disability, if we want to”.

It does not matter to this TEXAS school district that he went to first grade twice, struggles in second, cannot read or write at grade level. They repeatedly insist there is “no educational need for change” and “no Aspergers syndrome”.

How could they know? The district alters grades, changes test scores, withholds evaluations (conducted by their own staff), tests kids without parental consent, (trying to get a diagnosis they liked-ignoring all the others) to save the district a few bucks. According to the school counselor and other admin officials “ our district just won’t recognize a fad diagnosis”. HUH? Their own staff diagnosed the symptoms of Aspergers before I knew my son had it. Why would they withhold that information from me?

Why would a Superintendent of Schools allow her assistant the authority to jump in her car, drive to my son’s elementary school and jerk my son’s file from my hands, refusing to let me see it? I am confused with the “strange attachment” to my son’s grades, state test scores and teacher notes, this district’s employees have. I have never seen adults act as like this. Ironically, I have chosen a career working in the administration at the collegiate level. It is rumored there could be “ a whole lotta ‘Texas Test’ cheating goin on”. I am concerned that the test they refuse to show me, was NOT my son’s handwriting. Does the TPRI test (official Test for the little kids) - buy grant dollars? Can we find out?

My son, Nicholas has been repeatedly denied a free and appropriate education, civil rights and basic human dignity. How does that happen in a wealthy district, in Texas, in the USA? The only single mom within miles of here (me) wants answers. Why have civil laws, educational codes and ethical standards when there is no one to enforce them?

They underestimated this single mom of modest means? The Northwest ISD assumed no one would care that I found so many outrageous and illegal practices? I have found people care about little citizens being mistreated. People are applauded that my son wet his pants and was “punished” by being required to wear girls “Capri” pants in school and home on the bus. People care that educational arrogance has allowed him to be bullied, ignored, and “left behind” twice.

The Northwest ISD still refuses to “accept” my son’s disability. Provide him services he needs, and allow me to view all of his records. (Even though the TEA ordered the records be delivered by police car to my home on 10-18-05. I still do not have everything.

Aspergers kids can lead productive lives, but the elementary school years are critical. I have trusted this school for two years and they abused that trust. For Two Years, the Northwest ISD has left my son, ethicical practices and basic human compassion, way behind.

I guess the US Dept of Education has taken an interest in this situation. I received a call on Monday, from a gentleman who seems to care and said he would be overseeing the investigation of my complaints. Maybe those fine folks have an extra “thinking cap” that will locate my 8 year old’s Civil Rights”.

“Got Ideas?” Please email me any comments/suggestions. We just need a little passion for education, the underdog, and a “zero tolerance for crap”. My son needs immediate help. I am the only “single mommy” for miles. I am live the smallest house in a very wealthy area, and the school district is turning a deaf ear to the underdog.

Melanie Watson * Mom of Nicholas * wildkardgirl@yahoo.com

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