With class sizes increasing and teachers along with other support staff being let go, what is going to happen to our children? Students were already suffering, especially those with special needs. It has been a struggle each year to get the services and support my children need from teachers b/c they are already overwhelmed. My son’s middle school went from having 3 counselors (one for each grade level) to 2 counselors, and next school year (2010-2011) they will only have 1 counselor. I am even getting cases where school systems are trying to dismiss students with disabilities such as Autism from being eligible for special education services. This is outrageous! If we think advocating for our children is difficult now, just wait until next school year. I believe Advocates are going to have their hands full.
As a former School Psychologist, I am disheartened by the way school systems here in Georgia are mistreating dedicated and loyal Educator's. Salaries for some Educator's have been reduced significantly, many positions have been completely done away with (i.e., School Nurses in Clayton County Public Schools), and others have been placed in lower level positions (i.e., Special Education Coordinators in Atlanta Public Schools will be placed in classrooms to work as Teachers). Thus, current Teacher's will no longer have jobs. In addition, yearly contracts for Educator's were held back until the last minute when they were also informed about drastic changes to their current positions. This was done purposefully to prevent Educator's from being able to apply for jobs elsewhere if they were unhappy with the changes made.
Why don't we have a Teacher's union here in Georgia? Whatever happened to the good old-fashioned strikes? Maybe my attitude is different b/c I come from California where they have unions, employees have rights, and people (parents and educators) pull together to support each other for the future of our children. This is a time when parents and educators need to work together, put aside our differences, stand up, and fight for what we believe in. I know from experience that when our Educator's are not treated right, our children will not be treated right either.
http://www.heartandsouladvocacy.com/
