Charter Schools, Special Education

Can the charter school movement truly be in jeopardy because there is “No Marked Rise . . . in Test Scores Found” (Dec. 15)? As a parent at Westwood Charter (Elementary) School, I was shocked to find that the “charter movement is already in question” because test scores haven’t risen significantly since the charter school movement began two years ago.

When my husband and I had to decide where to send our son to elementary school, we considered ourselves very lucky. Westwood Charter School, our neighborhood school, had a great reputation.

I believe my son is having one of the best educational experiences available in a public elementary school in Los Angeles. Yes, he is learning reading, writing and arithmetic as well as science, art, music, computers and physical education. In addition, he is learning about social and community ethics and values and how to “participate” in the community rather than talk about what needs to be done.

So perhaps before state legislators meet next spring to consider placing more restrictions on the charter schools, they should come and visit us just as educators from England, New Zealand, China and others have--to see just what we’re doing that’s right.

SUSAN BERNARD

Los Angeles

*

* I am the lucky friend of a Down’s syndrome person. I have watched her learn to read in a full-inclusion private school alongside regular-learning children. At age 7 she is well on her way to receiving a real education. The special education specialist of her public school district told her parents that she would never learn beyond the age of a 3-year-old, and not to expect any “miracles.” I do not think what she has accomplished was a miracle. I think she was given a chance.

I read “Education for the Disabled Faces Reform” (Dec. 12), about special education in the public schools. LAUSD is absolutely correct in not fighting the law and tying up funding in the courts, and instead providing money for services to students. The law is correct, as my own experiences have shown. Students will start imitating one another’s behavior. By placing the special needs children in with the regular students, they will have a better chance of succeeding. It is to be hoped that all children are as lucky as my friend, and get a chance to better their lives in spite of their disability. Not all children have the opportunity to go to private school.

GIULIANA PERRONE

Long Beach

*

* With all the bad PR LAUSD special education programs are getting, I want to thank them. I had two boys graduate from the LAUSD system successfully, but then came my daughter. Beginning in middle school at age 12 she started ditching classes, getting very depressed and later became a substance abuser. I as a parent didn’t know what to do.

I went to counselors at her school and asked for help. They did an independent educational program for her. She was getting lost academically in classes of 40 children and needed more individual help. They also discovered she was severely emotionally disturbed and put her in a nonpublic school--paid by LAUSD.

A mental illness was discovered and through medication and smaller class sizes, where she received individual help, I now have an 18-year-old daughter who is a happy and successful LAUSD graduate taking job training.

For all children in LAUSD I believe smaller class sizes are needed. Classes of 32 and split grades are unfair to elementary children and class sizes of 40 in high schools make it a sink-or-swim situation.

LINDA SIEGEL

Northridge