Recent data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that being poor is directly correlated to educational achievement. This report does not break out students with special education needs but there can not be any question that as awful as these numbers are for poor city children, they would be geometrically worse for poor students with special education needs. The question that remains unanswered is why Washington D.C. lags even when other factors are factored out. I guess before the current Prez takes his "victory lap" as the "Education President" he should look in his immediate backyard to see how many children are being left behind and will be in the future.
Integrated Pest Management in Schools by Charles Fox and Amanda Windom
New research conducted by the California Department of Health suggests a link between autism and in utero exposure to endosulfan and dicofol, organochlorine pesticides that are banned in many countries, but still used in the United States. The study, published by Environmental Health Perspectives, is the first to explore the connection between maternal residential exposure to organochlorine pesticides at different concentrations during key periods of gestation and risk of ASD (autism spectrum disorder) in children. ASD risk increased with poundage of organochlorine applied and decreased with distance from field sites. The study concludes that risk for ASD was consistently associated with residential proximity to organochlorine pesticide applications during critical periods of embryonic development. The study also states that the possibility of a connection requires further study.
Many pesticides, rodenticides and other toxins applied in public spaces operate on the nervous system of the targeted pest. The application tends to be around base boards/floors where younger children spend much more time than adults or older children making them more vulnerable to the effects of these neurotoxins Over time these chemicals can have particularly negative effects for students with special needs who often have immune system deficits or nervous systems that have already been injured in some way. The effects of neurotoxins in schools, in my opinion, is factor that is rarely considered when IEP teams convene to consider behavioral or learning issues. Only the most obvious situations, like overgrowth of toxic molds, are ever even considered as a problem typically because the effects are widespread and not subtle.
According to Science Week pesticide poisoning is a commonly under diagnosed illness in the U.S. and can resemble acute upper respiratory tract illness, conjunctivitis, and gastrointestinal illness. Studies have also shown a 50-70% increased risk for Parkinson’s Disease with exposure to herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides. Exposure to chemicals, including pesticides can cause multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), a disorder which is triggered by exposure to chemicals in the environment. Use of chemicals in schools can prevent children who have MCS from having access to a mainstream education. For example, two children in Maryland were forced to attend a home school program when their school was being reroofed and sprayed with pesticide.
(case law 18 IDELR 1041).
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New Fast Test for Meningitis
The FDA has approved a new fast test that distinguishes between viral and bacterial meningitis. In my experience, many students with special needs have less developed immune systems, and therefore may be more vulnerable to serious infections of this nature which seem to hit schools with some regularity. The importance of this new test
"Knowing whether the meningitis is viral or bacterial is imperative to early effective treatment. But distinguishing between the two types of infection is difficult because of similar symptoms. Patients with viral meningitis usually recover within two weeks without any medical intervention. Bacterial meningitis, however, can lead to brain damage, hearing loss and even death if not treated properly."
It would be advisable to inquire if your doctor or local hosptial has access to this new test.
U.S.House Approves Stem Cell Bill
The U.S. House approved a bill to permit funding of stem cell research. The vote, however, was not the 2/3 needed to override an expected veto from President Bush. So the political struggle continues to get federal funding restored.
Teachers Sexually Abusing Students
A recent news report from Ohio shows that over a 5 year period 100 teachers have been accused of having sexually abused their students. Click here for details.
ADHD Drug Study Shows Problems With Overdoses
A new study from CDC has shown that thousands of children have overdosed on ADHD stimulant medications. This study has prompted calls for "black box" warnings the highest levels of warning to be posted on medications.
New Study on Juvenile Justice and Special Education
A new study from Indiana reveals severe short comings in the juvenile justice system. Overworked public defenders who lack sufficient training and motivation are among the findings. Many children go without representation or at best perfunctory representation in court. For special education students the findings of the report are especially troubling.
Effectiveness and Safety of Psychological Medications Questioned
The safety of drugs prescribed for ADHD have again been called into question. For depression the effectiveness of anti-depressants has been raised in a recent report reported in the Washington Post. Fortunately, under IDEA 2004, parents do not have to make a harsh choice between receiving services and having their child take medications that may not be effective (but frequently have side-effects) or in some cases can have serious risks. Among the beneficial changes to IDEA 2004 is that schools can not condition the provision of services on parents medicating their children.
Behavior Intervention Out of Control
In a rural school district in Harvard, Illinois a substitute teacher was arrested for using masking tape to bind the arms, legs and mouths of two students with special needs. The teacher’s first explanation was that he did it as a means of discipline, but then claimed he was joking. The only one really out of control in this situation was the teacher. Criminal charges are pending.
Another Case of a Teacher Being Disciplined for Bashing Bush
The thoughtful author of the Eduwonk blog has a different spin on the Bush bashing story from Colorado that I posted on last week. He also has a discussion of another even more compelling case of a teacher getting in trouble for Bush bashing from New Jersey. The article is worthwhile reading to round out this discussion.
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