[Grovenet] Schools...

[K. Bingham]

It is not often I feel the need to add my 2cents change to the 
discussion but for many years I have done battle with school districts 
over my children's educational needs. From Tehachapi, CA, Beaverton, to 
Forest Grove I have had to battle with them to even come close to 
getting them the education they need let alone the one that would do 
them the most good.

My oldest has ADHD and in the second grade they were threatening to kick 
him out unless he was medicated. Before they had time released Ritalin 
he needed to take a pill at lunch time and they _refused_ to remind him 
to go to the office for it (a child that is coming down off his meds 
that distraction and remembering is his hardest thing to do), so 
everyday I would have to be there to give it to him so they didn't kick 
him out of school. ARRRGGG...

My middle child had ADD and was accused of being silently defiant 
because she got bored and would daydream a lot.

My youngest has Aspergers which is a mild form of Autism. His learning 
disability was the written word so he was put in the Special Ed program 
here and was never expected to do more than remedial work. They offered 
him a modified diploma because the work that it would take to get a real 
one was about 2 years ahead of where they had him and he felt like they 
had kept him in the dark about it.

All three of my children were well qualified intellectually for any of 
the talented and gifted programs but due to their behavior problems 
(bored out of their minds by not being intellectually challenged) they 
were not allowed to participate. How's that for a Catch 22...

Over many years I have done battle with several school districts with 
about as many successes as not, and the last six years of it as a single 
dad I might add. Dealing with my own ADD and the years of raising kids 
gives me a unique perspective. Anyone have any questions I am more than 
willing to share what I do know and my opinion.

Keith