| ACAT/MACAT; XYZ--This is for YOU | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Dec 29 2005, 03:54 PM (4,412 Views) | |
| foodforthought | Dec 30 2005, 03:11 PM Post #16 |
|
1st Grade
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
THIS POST IS BY EDFORALL, USING A DIFFERENT SCREEN NAME
I just joined and this is a tough one. I need to think about this one. <_< these are great programs and the kids are gifted and just teriffic! THIS POST IS BY EDFORALL, USING A DIFFERENT SCREEN NAME |
![]() |
|
| livoniarecall | Dec 30 2005, 06:27 PM Post #17 |
|
Principal
|
Special education was not defined by ADA. Signed in 1990, with Title II effective January 1992, ADA (Title II) covers all programs of a school or college, including academics, extracurricular, and athletics. Also, the law applies to the activities of a school or college that occur off campus. 'Individuals with Disabilities Education Act' (IDEA), signed in 1997, was intended to resolve several shortcomings of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. According to IDEA'97, "Special education” means specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique educational needs of the student with a disability and to develop the student’s maximum potential. Special education includes instructional services defined in R 340.1701b(a) and related services." http://www.michigan.gov/documents/2002-07-...es)_35296_7.pdf On the other hand, the American Heritage Dictionary defines it as: "special education" n. Classroom or private instruction involving techniques, exercises, and subject matter designed for students whose learning needs cannot be met by a standard school curriculum. Another definition from Wikipedia: Special education (Also known as Special ed, SPED or defectology) refers to the teaching of students with a learning disability, a Developmental disability or a behavioral problem, or to that of gifted children. Not last and not least, the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) most certainly considers Gifted students as part of their fort. http://www.naset.org/giftedandtalented.0.html And how about this factoid? The Department Head at EMU for Teacher Education, Alane J. Starko, holds a Ph.D. in Special Education with emphasis in Education of the Gifted. I keep running across this tidbit: INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA) The Senate-passed version of the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) includes a provision that adds gifted and talented students who are disabled to the groups of students whose needs have priority in grants made by the U.S. Department of Education that are part of a comprehensive plan to guide research personnel preparation and technical assistance. If this language is retained in the final version of IDEA, it will be the first time that IDEA addresses the needs of twice-exceptional children. |
![]() |
|
| Anna Krome | Dec 30 2005, 06:27 PM Post #18 |
|
Principal
|
moveon: Wow. I meant no offense--in any way. I am really trying to have a dialog w/you, but you seem so very angry. What have I done to deserve this treatment? My question to you is: What do you like about LI? But, yes, MACAT/ACAT is spec. ed. And, yes, the program is funded by money from the state. Why shouldn't it be? And, yes, the instructors have advanced degrees in spec. ed. training of these types of kids. Our programs are exemplars of the nation in this field of special ed. We have a unique drawing point for Livonia. My energies are spent on this forum to stop LI, because I feel it is bad for my kids, other kids, and the community. I have stated numerous times what I do not like about LI. Again, what do you like about LI? Anna Krome PS: And thanks for the backhanded comment. |
![]() |
|
| livoniarecall | Dec 31 2005, 02:12 PM Post #19 |
|
Principal
|
President Bush Wipes Out Vocational and Gifted Education; Gives Special Education Short Shrift CEC is outraged that President Bush has eliminated funding for vocational and gifted and talented education. Equally as egregious is the paltry sum allocated for special education, which not only fails to address the growing population of students with disabilities but also makes full funding unattainable. ARLINGTON, VA, FEBRUARY 10, 2005 -- President Bush's 2006 proposed budget shows a callous disregard for students with special needs, says the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). While the monies available for students with disabilities is woefully inadequate, scrapping funding for vocational and gifted education will also leave thousands of students without appropriate educational programs. The proposed $508M increase, which does not even equal the $14.6B authorized by Congress under the new Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, shows that President Bush has no plans to fully fund special education. Lack of funds for special education results in inadequate materials for students with disabilities and a chronic shortage of special education teachers, which means children with disabilities may not receive the education they need - and deserve - to succeed in school and in life. Furthermore, by shortchanging special education, schools and districts are strained as they scramble to find funds to pay the balance of special education costs. Other areas for which funding is far below what is needed include preschool, infants, and toddlers and research-each of which receives no additional funding or was cut for 2006. "CEC is outraged that our nation's leaders continue to make special education funding a low priority," says CEC President Jim McCormick. "It is impossible to provide high quality educational services unless teachers and schools have the resources they need for their students. Without full funding for IDEA, we place the nation's most vulnerable children at risk." Assistive technology is another area that has been cut. The new budget proposes to end funding for the newly reauthorized Assistive Technology Act despite evidence that the programs have benefited communities, the economy, businesses, and individuals with disabilities. Eliminating funding for vocational education further harms the nation's children and their education. It will deprive students with disabilities, as well as many non-disabled students, of vital training and work experience that leads to productive, full-time employment. CEC also opposes eliminating funding for students with gifts and talents. This will shut down thousands gifted and talented programs, doing irreparable harm to students with gifts and talents. Contrary to popular belief, it is crucial to provide appropriate educational programs to these students. Without appropriate educational programs, not only do students with gifts and talents fail to achieve their potential, they are also prone to behavioral or emotional problems. "This anti-education budget will immeasurably harm the quality of education we provide to children with special needs," says McCormick. "Under this budget, our children with disabilities and our children with gifts and talents will be left behind." To read CEC's funding recommendations, go to www.cec.sped.org. The Council for Exceptional Children is the premiere association for special educators. CEC works to improve the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts. |
![]() |
|
| Bluebird | Dec 31 2005, 04:06 PM Post #20 |
|
1st Grade
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
ACAT/MACAT is not considered special education and does not receive extra funding. Federal law does not require or fund advanced instruction in public schools. It is up to states and local school systems to determine policy and provide funding. Many other states consider programs for the gifted "special education", however Michigan does not. In these states, gifted children have iep's (individualized education plans), much like students with disabilities have, here in Michigan (identifying them as gifted students). Teachers are responsible for meeting the unique needs of these students, as stated in the iep (contract). In Livonia, some gifted students do have iep's, though. Students with hearing difficulties and high intelligence, for instance, may have iep's. There is discretionary funding for gifted programs in MI, though not "special education" money; many require matching funds from districts. To my knowledge, Webster and Frost do not receive any additional funds. Students are simply identified as gifted and if the family chooses, the child can be a part of the program. |
![]() |
|
| Anna Krome | Dec 31 2005, 06:23 PM Post #21 |
|
Principal
|
livoniarecall posted on this very topic a few quotes up. It is really interesting. Check it out. I guess my point is that ACAT/MACAT kids do not like spending their afternoons on buses or changing schools more than necessary. LI is wrong for Livonia. Anna Krome |
![]() |
|
| edforall | Jan 1 2006, 09:58 AM Post #22 |
|
Principal
|
I agree. Please anyone check out this site of who Michigan considers Special Education in Michigan. I have been watching all of you talk about this. Please take special care when getting your facts about this one. Unless you teach in Special Ed or have a child in it you may not know as much as you think even if you are trying to look things up. Some have been doing this for years. This is said with no ill will. Please do not take it as such and jump all over me as you do others. I have been living this for 16 years. As for the ADA...anyone with a disabiliy is coverd under it and protected. Maybe that is what they were trying to say. Certain laws and provisions have to be met within those laws. Please read your ADA and understand what that means. Some of it is for adults but it covers ALL young and old in the end maybe that is what the point was. Just my take. Again. Don't jump all over me. Thanks. This is the link www.bridges4kids.org/disabilities/MIlabels. One more thing to note. I have also had a ACAT/MACT student. So I understand where they money comes from with that also. It does not come from the special ed. Thanks again. |
![]() |
|
| NFarquharson | Jan 1 2006, 10:24 AM Post #23 |
|
Principal
|
My 2 cents on this as an Employee & Lbor Relations Specialist who works with ADA in the workplace: In order to be covered under the ADA, the person must have a disability or permanent condition that interferes with his/her ability to perform activities of daily living (i.e. walking, talking, washing, etc.) He/she must take advantage of all normal means to correct problems, such as a person with bad eyesight must wear glasses to correct if possible. Not all disabilities are covered under the ADA. For example, many people might say that if I had a couple of fingers missing I am disabled, but I would not be covered under ADA, because I can adjust easily and perform all my normal activities. Clearly gifted and talented kids are special, but not covered under ADA unless they also have something that qualifies as above. Whether they are entitled by any law to special educational programs aimed at them under any state or federal law is out of my scope of knowledge, but it is clearly the right thing to do. |
![]() |
|
| edforall | Jan 1 2006, 10:59 AM Post #24 |
|
Principal
|
I have done a search on several college sites this morning and have come up with no certification that you can recive on talented and gifted children. Maybe what you are talking about is the special certifications that secondary teachers obtain to teach english,sceince,math etc...If you have a certification to teach "special education" you get one in an area such as autism,hearing impariment,emotional impairment etc...talented and gifted is not in the special education schools of education programs at the universities. I am sorry. I am not trying to fight on this one. Just giving the facts. I think that we should ask your 4 teachers of MACAT if they have special ed degrees. I agree that they are a drawing point for Livonia but did you know that Plymouth canton also has a TAG program in their middle school,no it is not as great as ours but it is one just the same. I am sure that I will get jumped on when I say this but I will say it just the same. You don't back down when you see that you maybe might not be right. You seem to be one of those people that will not accept anything but your truth. Maybe that is what some people have taken issue with you on. No it is not always right that they do,but you can be rude yourself. I don't think that you always open your mind to what others are saying. Like this very issue. You are offending others by calling ACAT/MACAT/MSC special ed. They do not fall under that area in Livonia public schools on the web site or in their program of studies. The children in this area have no extra para-pro support or one on one help as in special ed programs. In Michigan they do not fall under that area. I think that if someone is telling you this maybe you should just call them the talented and gifed or ACAT/MACAT/MSC or avanced academics and call it a day. I know several people who look at this site who don't comment on here who are for not putting the LI thru and you uset them with the special ed comment. Please just think about that. Is is always so great to push your small fight when there is a bigger one out there? |
![]() |
|
| edforall | Jan 1 2006, 11:07 AM Post #25 |
|
Principal
|
Thank you for seeing that you may not know all that their is to know about the ADA. I do admit that I still don't know EVERYTHING but I am covered myself so I know something about it. Gifted and talented would be covered if they had a physical or mental disability. The ADA protects people with such needs. |
![]() |
|
| edforall | Jan 1 2006, 11:12 AM Post #26 |
|
Principal
|
I am not sure how the finger thing would work.....I know that for example someone with bi-polar would be coverd. I know that it would seem from the outside it would seem that such a person could perform tasks of everyday life but they are covered because they need special accomidations for work start and stop times due to medications...at times they may need to be in the hospital and some days they may have a hard time going to work....I am sure that this one is hard to understand but this is an example. |
![]() |
|
| NFarquharson | Jan 1 2006, 11:45 AM Post #27 |
|
Principal
|
A person with bipolar disease could be covered if they could not function in their activities of daily living (ADL,) even though they are being treated for the condition or are on medication. Not every bipolar person is disabled under ADA. Many function very well with treatment. There is no magic list of conditions that are covered under ADA... a determination must be made on a case by case basis. Another good example where some people are covered and others are not would be diabetes. Some people are well controlled, are able to do all of their ADL and need no special accomodations at work or school. Others may be difficult to control or have complications that might impact their ADL and require special accomodations, such as more frequent meal breaks. The person who needs time off because of his/her medical condition might also be entitled to Family Medical Leave Act time. That might be what you are thinking of. In your example, an employer may make a reasonable accomodation under ADA of a later start time, but the time off for treatment, Dr. appointments, etc. is not typically an ADA issue...it's time covered under FMLA. If you add in Worker's Compensation laws, you now have what many call the Bermuda Triangle of employement law, because issues overlap and become so complicated. You can find more about both the ADA and FMLA at the Dept of Labor website www.dol.gov and at the EEOC stie, which is EEOC.gov |
![]() |
|
| edforall | Jan 1 2006, 11:53 AM Post #28 |
|
Principal
|
thanks for all of the knowledge. I have pages and pages of the laws sitting in my desk though. I agree there is no magic list. Doctor appts are covered though under the act as reasonable accomodation. I have had to use this with my condition. The employer must give you time if you need it. Did you know that there was a special section under the ADA for Mental Illness? that is intersting to look at. I used that for a family member that I took care of for years. I think that we are off subject here a bit. I just wanted to show that special ed students are not MACT/ACAT/MSC even though I love those kids to death and love that program. Thanks |
![]() |
|
| NFarquharson | Jan 1 2006, 12:10 PM Post #29 |
|
Principal
|
Yuo are right...we are off topic. Sorry! |
![]() |
|
| livoniarecall | Jan 1 2006, 01:59 PM Post #30 |
|
Principal
|
I stand corrected. Apparently I too was one of those people that would not accept anything but my truth. I see now that since Gifted and Talented is not protected or funded as a disability, it is not a subcategory of the Special Education subcategory of the Education field of study. The dictionary, encyclopedia, and the National Association of Special Education Teachers should be notified of their error. I bet that the Dean of Teacher Education at EMU is going to be really ticked when she gets the bad news about her Phd. BTW - What IS the topic? Long bus rides are a bummer, even if you're gifted? If so, we were off topic very soon after the first post. Before we return to topic, just wanted to point out that federal funding for Gifted and Talented known as Javits, is pretty loose about throwing around the "S" word. And this one is nowhere near topic, but then again, how many of us have mentioned the bus rides anyway.... Finally, my last comment on this topic (maybe), is regarding funding. The point is that IDEA'97 is all about disabilities, and happens to define "special education." This would be only one definition as it applies to funds available under that particular act. Still not finding a definition of special education under ADA. I haven't read any posts claiming that Gifted and Talented qualifies as a disability. I would point out though that a few have posted that Gifted and Talented is merely a program of advanced classes, and/or recommending that others do more research on ADA. |
![]() |
|
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · Livonia Neighbors Archive · Next Topic » |




![]](http://z2.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)


3:38 AM Jul 11